Duskmantle Operative MTG Card


Duskmantle Operative - War of the Spark
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Released2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameWar of the Spark
Set codeWAR
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number88
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAnna Steinbauer

Key Takeaways

  1. Its evasion abilities can indirectly result in card advantage by pressuring opponents beyond their resources.
  2. Efficient mana cost permits simultaneous threat deployment, enhancing board presence without high investment.
  3. Combo potential with disruption strategies makes it a strategic inclusion, amplifying its unblockability.

Text of card

Duskmantle Operative can't be blocked by creatures with power 4 or greater.

Gideon eyed the Dimir emissary warily. "Could your agents slip inside Bolas's citadel?" The figure met his gaze with icy resolve. "We already have."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Duskmantle Operative can be especially valuable in a limited format, allowing players to maintain pressure on the opponent without sacrificing board presence. Despite not having a card draw ability, the consistent dealing of damage can indirectly lead to card advantage by outpacing your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Duskmantle Operative doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration like ramp spells or mana dorks, its low mana cost allows players to deploy additional threats alongside it efficiently, potentially accelerating the player’s game plan and pressure on the opponent.

Instant Speed: Although Duskmantle Operative lacks instant speed itself, it synergizes well with instant-speed removal or combat tricks. Its innate ability to be unblockable by high-power creatures can often force the opponent into an unfavorable position, where your own instant-speed interactions can significantly shift the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Duskmantle Operative doesn’t require you to discard cards itself, it’s important to consider its role in decks that utilize discard strategies. Playing it in such decks could mean missing out on synergy with other cards that benefit from or trigger upon discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: Duskmantle Operative has a fixed mana cost that includes black mana, which may not always align with the mana curve or color scheme of your deck. This can potentially disrupt your game plan, especially in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its mana cost is not exceptionally high, when evaluating its abilities, Duskmantle Operative’s cost might not justify its place over other two-drop creatures that offer more utility or stronger stats for the same or lesser mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Duskmantle Operative can be a solid addition to rogue or mill decks, owing to its ability to slip past defenders. Its low mana cost also allows for early gameplay presence, making it a flexible choice during the initial phases of a match.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies aimed at disrupting your opponent’s hand and library. It can synergize with cards that benefit from having unblockable creatures or when paired with effects that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where control decks with numerous defenders are common, Duskmantle Operative can consistently apply pressure by being unblockable when defending against a superpower. This card carves out a niche role in the right environment.


How to Beat

Duskmantle Operative is an under-the-radar rogue card in Magic: The Gathering that can slink past defenders when going up against a deck with a planeswalker. This capability makes it a nuisance, especially for opponents relying on planeswalkers for board control. To outmaneuver this stealthy creature, consider employing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of whether they are blocked or not. Spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat are perfect answers, being able to eliminate the Operative before it can become a consistent threat to your planeswalker’s stability.

Another strategy is to adjust your defense by having creatures with reach or flash, allowing you to block the Operative unexpectedly, deterring attacks from this sneaky adversary. Controlling the battlefield with sweepers such as Wrath of God can also keep the Operative at bay, proving that comprehensive board control is essential in mitigating its impact. Remember, staying one step ahead of the Duskmantle Operative requires a mix of foresight and the right spell arsenal to nullify its slippery nature.


Cards like Duskmantle Operative

Duskmantle Operative stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a creature card designed for stealth and evasion. It reminds seasoned players of cards like Tormented Soul, which also can’t be blocked and offers a tactical advantage in terms of unblockable damage. Tormented Soul, being a 1/1, lacks the higher power of Duskmantle Operative, but compensates with a lower casting cost and staying perpetually elusive.

Moving along similar lines, we discover Looter il-Kor, another unblockable creature. Unlike Duskmantle Operative, Looter il-Kor not only avoids defenders but also assists in cycling through your deck by offering the chance to draw and discard cards, contributing to strategic hand management. While it doesn’t have the same resistance to blocking as Duskmantle Operative against multicolored creatures, it still provides a valuable peek at your upcoming options.

Through comparison, we see Duskmantle Operative offering players a distinct role within Magic: The Gathering. It serves as a more powerful unblockable threat that specifically defies multicolored defenders, potentially providing a key tactical edge in matches where such creatures dominate the battlefield.

Tormented Soul - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Tormented Soul - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Looter il-Kor - Time Spiral (TSP)

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Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
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Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duskmantle Operative MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Duskmantle Operative and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duskmantle Operative has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-05-03 Once a creature with power 3 or less has blocked this creature, changing the power of the blocking creature won’t cause this creature to become unblocked.

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