Vampire Interloper MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vampire Scout
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Functions as an effective early game threat that warrants immediate answers from opponents or it whittles down life totals.
  2. Its low mana cost allows for a swift board presence and room for other strategic plays within a turn.
  3. Enhances strategies with instant-speed spells by providing a constant threat while keeping mana available for control.

Text of card

Flying Vampire Interloper can't block.

He listens to every heartbeat, deciding which one of hundreds he will stop.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Vampire Interloper doesn’t provide direct card draw, it influences the battlefield from early turns. As a 2/1 flyer, it can apply pressure and chip away at an opponent’s life total, providing a form of virtual card advantage by demanding an answer from the opponent, or it will steadily deplete their resources in the form of life points.

Resource Acceleration: One key benefit is the card’s efficient mana cost. At just two mana, Vampire Interloper slides smoothly into your curve, accelerating your board presence without monopolizing invaluable mana resources. This leaves you with ample opportunity to deploy additional threats or hold up mana for reactions.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Vampire Interloper pairs well with instant-speed interaction. Deploy it early and keep your mana open to disrupt opponents with removal or counters during their turn, leveraging the threat of your evasive creature while still playing reactively to maintain control of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Vampire Interloper carries no discard requirement, it does present other restrictions that can affect deck performance. For example, its inability to block can be a significant disadvantage in games where board control and defense are crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The Vampire Interloper’s casting cost demands a black mana, which ties it exclusively to black or black-inclusive multicolor decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a player’s collection. Those running outside these colors will be unable to harness its power.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it costs only two mana, the reach of this particular vampire can be undercut by other two-drops in the category. There are creatures available at the same mana point that provide additional value or versatility without the drawback of being unable to block.


Reasons to Include Vampire Interloper in Your Collection

Versatility: Vampire Interloper has the advantage of being a low-cost flying creature, which makes it a flexible addition to various deck builds. Its ability to evade ground blockers allows it to chip in for consistent damage or serve as an effective blocker against other flying creatures.

Combo Potential: Its Vampire type aligns with numerous tribal synergies and can enhance decks that capitalize on creature type-based buffs or abilities. Pairing Vampire Interloper with cards that bolster vampire strengths can lead to formidable combo possibilities.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the speed and aggression of certain meta-games, Vampire Interloper’s evasion and tribal links may give you the edge needed to outpace control decks or apply pressure in early turns against slower strategies.


How to Beat

Vampire Interloper presents an agile threat on the battlefield, soaring over defenders with its evasion ability. Comparable to other evasive creatures in MTG such as Mist-Cloaked Herald, Vampire Interloper offers a touch more power, though it can’t block. The key to overcoming this vampire lies in its inherent limitations.

Strategies vary, but effective tactics include removal spells that don’t rely on targeting blockers, such as Shock or Fatal Push, thereby bypassing its inability to block. Similarly, mass removal spells like Wrath of God can clear the board irrespective of flying capabilities. For those who prefer not to use spells, creatures with Reach or those that can be afforded flying can intercept this menace without engaging in direct combat on the ground.

Ultimately, Vampire Interloper is a test of preparedness, pushing players to incorporate versatile response options in their decks. Just as with any MTG card, a well-rounded strategy that accounts for both offense and defense is essential in maximizing your potential for victory. Hence, it isn’t the mere presence of Vampire Interloper that dictates the course of a game, but rather how one adapts and responds to such agile threats.


Cards like Vampire Interloper

Vampire Interloper serves as a flying menace among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Sanguine Spy which also offers a flying ability at a low cost. Yet, the Interloper is set apart due to its inability to block, trading defensive capabilities for an evasive offensive stance. Sanguine Spy lacks the menace ability, but doesn’t come with the blocking restriction, allowing for more versatile play.

Another peer in flying menaces is the Thieving Sprite. With its ability to force opponents to discard upon entering the battlefield, it provides an additional layer of disruption while sharing the same mana cost as Vampire Interloper. However, without the menace attribute, the Sprite doesn’t always guarantee damage to an opponent in the same way the Interloper can with its evasion. Conversely, Falkenrath Reaver presents a solid comparison in stats, although lacking both flying and menace, it is not hindered by an inability to block.

Comparing these creatures highlights Vampire Interloper’s unique position as an aggressive two-drop with strong evasion, carving its own niche in decks focused on relentless aerial combat and maintaining pressure on opponents in Magic: The Gathering.

Sanguine Spy - MTG Card versions
Thieving Sprite - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Reaver - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Spy - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)
Thieving Sprite - Lorwyn (LRW)
Falkenrath Reaver - Eldritch Moon (EMN)

Cards similar to Vampire Interloper by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampire Interloper MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Explorers of Ixalan, 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 Vampire Interloper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vampire Interloper Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by James Ryman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 1232003normalblackJames Ryman
22017-11-24Explorers of IxalanE02 222015normalblackJames Ryman
32021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 1252015normalblackJames Ryman
42022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 1252015normalblackJames Ryman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Interloper has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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