Instigator MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Spellshaper
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	140
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Fred Fields

Key Takeaways

Card advantage with Instigator facilitates hand disruption and access to more strategic play options.
Resource acceleration and instant speed use of Instigator contribute to flexible and reactive gameplay.
Instigator card demands careful deck building to manage its specific mana and discard requirements.

Text of card

o1o Bo B, oc T, Discard a card from your hand: Creatures target player controls attack this turn if able.

The desecration of their dead makes even the Saprazzans careless.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Instigator card is an asset when it comes to increasing your options on the battlefield. Its ability to potentially disrupt your opponent’s hand while giving you access to more cards can strategically give you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: On top of the immediate benefits, this card can contribute to long-term resource acceleration. By using clever timing and the right conditions, it has the potential to ramp up your resources and give you a lead in mana availability, which can be pivotal in later stages of the match.

Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed cannot be overstated. Instigator can be played on your opponent’s turn, which enables reactive strategies and surprises. This flexibility helps in maintaining a tactical advantage over your adversary, potentially altering the course of the game with a well-timed play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Instigator card obliges players to discard a card, potentially depleting your hand and risking your game strategy, especially if your hand size is minimal.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types. If your deck doesn’t consistently generate the required mana, Instigator may remain a dead card in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Instigator’s mana cost might be deemed steep considering other cards with similar effects. This could slow down your game plan, as you invest significant resources into a single card that may not turn the tide of the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Instigator card is a flexible choice for many deck builds, fitting seamlessly into various strategies that thrive on early game pressure or tribal synergies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to quickly populate the board with creatures can be the lynchpin for combinations that capitalize on creature count or sacrifice mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to disrupt opponent strategies early on, Instigator remains a potent option in environments that favor quick aggro plays or the need for critical mass in creature-based decks.

How to beat Instigator

The Instigator card can be a real challenge if it lands successfully on the battlefield. With its ability to frustrate opponents by forcing creatures to attack each turn, it can disrupt well-laid strategies and defensive setups. To counteract the Instigator’s effect, players should consider including cards that remove or neutralize threats before they become a problem. Direct removal spells are the first line of defense, ensuring the Instigator is taken out of play swiftly.

Another strategy is to employ creatures with vigilance to maintain a robust line of defense while still being able to attack if compelled. Cards that provide hexproof or shroud can also be valuable, as they protect your key creatures from being targeted by the Instigator’s ability. Additionally, having instant-speed spells that can create blockers or grant indestructibility for a turn can mitigate the forced aggression caused by the Instigator.

It is essential to recognize the deck types that favor an Instigator play style—generally aggressive, creature-focused decks—and prepare sideboard responses accordingly. Remember, the key to defeating Instigator lies in strategic removal, tactical creature choices, and a keen sense of timing.

Cards like Instigator

The Instigator card serves as a dynamic force in MTG, reminiscent of other key creatures that excel in disrupting the battlefield. Comparable to the well-known Goblin Guide, the Instigator also delivers an immediate impact on the game. However, it differentiates itself by compelling two opposing creatures to battle each other, potentially removing threats on the board, while Goblin Guide accelerates your opponent’s mana base with potential land reveals.

Similarly, Goblin Rabblemaster shares the goblin tribe with Instigator and is famed for amassing an army of tokens swiftly. Even though Rabblemaster doesn’t force engagement between creatures, it pressures the opponent each turn with an ever-growing goblin horde. Conversely, the Instigator excels in situations where pressuring the board state with tactical confrontations is more beneficial than a broad assault approach.

When analyzing these cards side by side, Instigator stands out as a unique tool for strategic players who enjoy manipulating combat to their advantage, setting it apart from other proactive goblin cards in MTG that lean towards aggressive playstyles.

Cards similar to Instigator by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Instigator MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Instigator and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Instigator has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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