Passwall Adept MTG Card

Passwall Adept - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)

Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
2018-10-05 - Number 50

Passwall Adept - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)

Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
2024-02-23 - Number 91

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Power	1
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Passwall Adept indirectly increases card value by triggering beneficial combat damage abilities.
Its low casting cost and instant speed unblockability offer tempo control and flexibility.
While versatile, the Adept’s demands for blue mana can limit its deck compatibility.

Text of card

: Target creature can't be blocked this turn.

"My doors are called trespassing, my signatures, forgeries. They don't respect my talents, and I don't respect their labels."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Passwall Adept may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, but its ability to make creatures unblockable can ensure your creatures that have “when this creature deals combat damage to a player” abilities trigger, indirectly working as a card advantage mechanic by drawing out more value from your deck.

Resource Acceleration: Although Passwall Adept doesn’t generate mana or treasure tokens, it’s low casting cost enables you to maintain tempo and still have mana open for other spells or abilities, effectively speeding up your resource utilization.

Instant Speed: The ability to grant unblockable at instant speed provides flexibility, allowing you to wait until the last possible moment before declaring attackers, keeping your opponent guessing and potentially forcing them to misallocate their resources or defenses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players wielding Passwall Adept, the necessity to discard can pose a significant problem, especially in scenarios where hand size is already dwindling. Discarding adds a layer of decision-making that may not always work in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Passwall Adept’s activation ability is locked behind a blue mana requirement, meaning it may not seamlessly fit into a multicolored deck where blue mana is not consistently available. This demand for blue mana can make it less flexible in certain deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Spending three mana to cast Passwall Adept can be a substantial investment, considering the card’s primary function is to make creatures unblockable. In an environment where tempo is vital, its mana cost for the given effect might not be the most efficient use of resources.

Reasons to Include Passwall Adept in Your Collection

Versatility: Passwall Adept offers strategic flexibility that can be valuable in a variety of deck builds. Its ability to make creatures unblockable adds an underhanded tool to blue decks, which can capitalize on sneaking key creatures past defenses.

Combo Potential: With the right board setup, Passwall Adept’s skill to grant unblockability can turn an innocuous creature into a game-ending threat. It synchronizes well with high-power creatures that might otherwise be easily blocked.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board control and creature combat are prevalent, Passwall Adept’s unique contribution can give you an edge. As blockers grow larger and more daunting, the need to bypass them entirely becomes increasingly relevant.

How to beat

Passwall Adept serves as a tricky component in a Magic: The Gathering player’s arsenal, primarily due to its ability to turn creatures unblockable. To outmaneuver this ability, it’s essential to control the board and the flow of the game. Removal spells are your best friend against Passwall Adept. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can oust the Adept before its ability becomes a problem, stripping away your opponent’s capacity for an unimpeded attack.

Adaptation is key in this game. When facing creatures that can slip through defenses, consider spells that offer universal answers or switch to a strategy that doesn’t rely heavily on blocking. Board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field. If Passwall Adept is already pressuring your life total, life gain spells or abilities, and cards that create multiple blockers, like Raise the Alarm, can help stabilize the game.

To summarize, overcoming Passwall Adept in Magic: The Gathering involves a combination of timely removal, strategic adjustments, and keeping a cool head against stealth strategies. Tailoring your responses to neutralize or bypass its ability will enhance your board control and push you towards victory.

Cards like Passwall Adept

In the realm of utility creatures for Magic: The Gathering decks, Passwall Adept finds its niche through its unique ability to make creatures unblockable for a turn. When we compare it to other cards with similar functionalities, Mist-Cloaked Herald stands out with its inherent unblockability, giving it a persistent advantage on the battleground without any mana investment.

Another card that echoes the evasive purpose of Passwall Adept is Glint. While it doesn’t make creatures unblockable, it does grant them a temporary shroud, which can be critical for protecting key creatures during pivotal turns. However, it lacks the repeatable aspect of the Adept’s ability.

Aether Tunnel presents a different dynamic, being an Aura that bestows unblockability permanently, as long as the enchanted creature stays on the field. It’s an upfront investment versus the ongoing mana cost demanded by Passwall Adept. The adaptability in choosing different targets for unblockability as needed can make Passwall Adept a preferred option in certain strategic deck builds.

The flexibility of Passwall Adept in controlling the flow of combat by selectively granting unblockability each turn positions it as a versatile tool in MTG blue-based control or aggressive decks aiming to secure damage.

Cards similar to Passwall Adept by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Passwall Adept MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Passwall Adept and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Passwall Adept Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by John Thacker.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2018-10-05	Guilds of Ravnica	GRN		50	2015	Normal	Black	John Thacker
2	2024-02-23	Ravnica: Clue Edition	CLU		91	2015	Normal	Black	John Thacker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Passwall Adept has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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