Covert Operative MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Released | 2003-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legions |
| Set code | LGN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 33 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Kev Walker |
Key Takeaways
- Improves card draw selection, accelerating your deck’s efficiency and providing crucial game state insights.
- Ability to play additional land each turn amplifies mana resources, enabling quicker, more significant plays.
- Flash ability allows for surprise maneuvers and reactive play, giving players a tactical edge during matches.
Text of card
Covert Operative is unblockable.
Some spies seek clarity. Others seek transparency.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Covert Operative is a strategic addition to any deck as it allows players to survey the top cards of their library. Being able to select the most beneficial card from the top four improves your chance of drawing into answers or threats, thus keeping you ahead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: This card stands out by enabling you to play an additional land each turn, which ramps up your mana resources. Fast-tracking your mana base can significantly speed up your game plan, allowing you to outpace opponents by casting more impactful spells sooner.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Covert Operative means you can deploy it at the last possible moment, ideally after your opponent has committed to their plays. This gives you the upper hand in terms of resource management and surprise factor, as you can better respond to the evolving game state without sacrificing your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Covert Operative requires a card discard which can be detrimental, especially if maintaining hand advantage is crucial in your current match.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana, including blue, potentially confining its inclusion strictly to decks that can produce the necessary colors consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, players may find that deploying Covert Operative impacts their tempo, possibly setting them back when faster options could be played.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Covert Operative fits seamlessly into a multitude of blue-based strategies, especially decks that aim to control the flow of the game with sneaky plays or are built around unblockable creatures.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its unblockable nature, this card plays well with equipment and auras that trigger when dealing combat damage, creating endless opportunities for inventive and effective combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that favors sneaking past defenses, Covert Operative shines by being a consistent, evasive threat that’s difficult for opponents to block, making it a solid addition in a variety of competitive scenarios.
How to beat
Covert Operative is a strategic card that can bolster your MTG deck’s offensive capabilities, but countering it requires a different approach. Unlike direct damage spells, Covert Operative’s unblockability makes conventional defense ineffective. Hence, to effectively neutralize this elusive threat, you’ll want to focus on removal spells that don’t rely on blocking. Spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can provide a straightforward solution to this slippery adversary as they can exile or destroy without targeting specifics in combat.
Adjusting your strategy to include a variety of removal options can also help prepare you for facing Covert Operative. Versatile creatures that can function as removal, like Shriekmaw, offer an added layer of flexibility. These creatures can take down Covert Operative while also serving as formidable threats themselves. Additionally, counter spells that prevent the casting of creatures altogether, such as Counterspell or Mana Leak, can ensure that Covert Operative never even hits the battlefield, solidifying your control over the game.
Ultimately, while Covert Operative can be a game changer, integrating efficient removal and counter tactics into your deck can mitigate its impact, keeping your gameplay experience strategic and engaging.
Cards like Covert Operative
Covert Operative is a unique player in Magic: The Gathering’s gallery of creatures, owing to its unblockability trait. Stealth and cunning are brought to the table with this creature, similar to the well-known Invisible Stalker. Both cards are difficult for an opponent to block, but while Invisible Stalker has Hexproof to prevent it from being the target of spells or abilities, Covert Operative does not, making it slightly more vulnerable.
Another comparable card is Latch Seeker, which shares the inability to be blocked but comes with a higher power, albeit at a higher mana cost. A more recent match is the Slither Blade, a low-cost creature that, like Covert Operative, can slip past enemy defenses without the ability to be blocked. However, Slither Blade falls short in power when compared to our featured card, making Covert Operative a more formidable choice for applying pressure on your opponent.
Analyzing the lineup of unblockable creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Covert Operative has its unique strengths. Although it may not boast additional defenses like Hexproof, its consistent evasiveness paired with adequate power makes it a competent choice for strategic plays focused on direct damage.
Cards similar to Covert Operative by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Covert Operative MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Covert Operative and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Covert Operative has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
