Mogg Assassin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Assassin
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. By removing creatures, Mogg Assassin provides card advantage and disrupts opponents’ strategies.
  2. Its instant-speed ability adds a tactical advantage during critical game moments.
  3. The coin-flip duel mechanic offers a unique creature control method in gameplay.

Text of card

oc T: Flip a coin. If you win the flip, destroy target creature an opponent controls. Otherwise, destroy target creature of that opponent's choice.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: By potentially eliminating key creatures on the board, Mogg Assassin can impact the board state significantly, leaving you with more resources compared to your opponent. Its ability can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while keeping your hand intact.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Mogg Assassin itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, clearing the way of potential blockers can allow for more successful attacks, indirectly leading to increased advantages such as more damage dealt or the activation of attack-triggered abilities.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Mogg Assassin’s ability at instant speed offers a tactical edge. This flexibility lets you wait until the most opportune moment during the game to attempt to remove a creature, such as in response to an opponent’s actions or at the end of their turn to minimize their potential for retaliation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Mogg Assassin is the need for both you and your opponent to discard a creature card to engage its ability. This can backfire if your hand lacks expendable creatures or if the discard significantly thins your already scarce resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Mogg Assassin requires both red and generic mana to cast, making it slightly restrictive as it fits mostly in red or multicolored decks. This specific mana cost can be a hurdle in mana-fixing or when you’re aiming for a streamlined mono-colored strategy in other colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be considered steep for its randomness and potential self-sacrifice, Mogg Assassin is sometimes overshadowed by lower-costed creatures or those with more reliable removal abilities. The mana investment can be disadvantageous, particularly when there are other options that provide more control over board state for the same, or lower, mana costs.


Reasons to Include Mogg Assassin in Your Collection

Versatility: Mogg Assassin offers a unique option for decks that thrive on creature control. Its activation ability to potentially destroy target creatures adds strategic depth to your game, allowing it to adapt to various situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to potentially eliminate an opponent’s creature by winning a coin flip opens up synergies with cards that manipulate or benefit from coin toss outcomes or repeated activation of activated abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Due to its potential to disrupt opponent’s creature-based strategies, Mogg Assassin can be especially useful in a meta where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, giving you an unexpected edge in matches.


How to beat

Mogg Assassin is an intriguing creature card that brings a unique mini-game to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability allows players to engage in a game of chance, potentially eliminating problematic creatures without the need for direct combat or traditional removal spells. This can be a source of frustration if you find your key creatures being consistently targeted and removed by this goblin’s ability.

To effectively counter the Mogg Assassin’s ability, consider using creature cards that are expendable or those that generate value when they enter or leave the battlefield. Cards with undying or persist abilities can also be invaluable, as they return to the battlefield even after a successful assassination attempt. Employing hexproof or shroud can also shield your creatures from being chosen as targets, thus preserving your board presence.

Lastly, instant-speed removal spells that can target Mogg Assassin before it activates its ability are crucial. Keeping up mana for these kinds of responses could save your most valuable creatures from an untimely demise. Understanding when to play your threats and when to hold back for protection becomes key in navigating against this unpredictable adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deciphering the nuances of MTG strategy is an exhilarating challenge, and Mogg Assassin is a card that layers complexity onto your in-game tactics. Managing your creatures and mastering the timing of coin flip duels are essential skills when bringing Mogg Assassin into play. Remember, the MTG landscape is ever-evolving, and adaptation is your greatest tool. Whether you’re tweaking your deck to accommodate this cunning goblin or defending against its unpredictable nature, there’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained. Dive deeper into strategies and card analyses with us, and refine your deckbuilding to edge out the competition. Your path to victory can be fortified with the right insights—let’s explore them together.


Cards like Mogg Assassin

Mogg Assassin enters the realm of player and creature interaction in Magic: The Gathering with an intriguing gameplay mechanic. Mirroring cards like Goblin Assassin, it also introduces a chance element to the battlefield. Goblin Assassin forces each player to flip a coin whenever another Goblin enters the battlefield, potentially leading to mass creature destruction. Mogg Assassin, however, leans into direct combat by letting players directly choose targets for its coin flip duel, potentially offering more control.

Avatar of Discord is another comparable creature, pulling players into a high-risk, high-reward situation. It demands a steep sacrifice of discarding cards upon entry, whereas Mogg Assassin risks your creatures’ fate on a coin flip. Comparatively, both cards can manipulate the game’s momentum, though they operate under different strategies and resource management.

Assessing their place in gameplay, Mogg Assassin finds a unique position with its targeted removal capabilities, presenting a calculated gamble for players to potentially eliminate key threats or use it as a deterrent against opponent’s creatures.

Goblin Assassin - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Discord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Assassin - Legions (LGN)
Avatar of Discord - Dissension (DIS)

Cards similar to Mogg Assassin by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Sabretooth Tiger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Skirk Commando - Archenemy (ARC)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Shinen of Fury's Fire - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mogg Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and The List, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Mogg Assassin and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Mogg Assassin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 1998-06-15. Illustrated by Dermot Power.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 881997normalblackDermot Power
22020-09-26The ListPLST EXO-881997normalblackDermot Power

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mogg Assassin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mogg Assassin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2004-10-04 You and your opponent both pick the target creatures on announcing, which is before the coin is flipped. You pick first.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks