Curio Vendor MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 42
2019-11-07 - Number 341
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-42
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances deck efficiency with scry on entry, filtering your next draws.
- Curio Vendor’s low cost frees up mana, accelerating your game plan.
- Complements instant-speed plays, offering strategic turn optimization.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Curio Vendor helps you cycle through your deck by providing a scry ability when it enters the battlefield, effectively filtering upcoming draws to ensure you get the cards you need.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resources, Curio Vendor’s low casting cost allows you to deploy other strategies earlier with mana still open, aiding in pacing your advantage over the opponent.
Instant Speed: Though Curio Vendor itself is not an instant, its low cost and the benefits it provides pair well with instant-speed interactions, allowing you to optimize your turn structure while maintaining a presence on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Curio Vendor demands a card to be discarded in certain deck contexts, often leading to a difficult decision between retaining a potentially useful card in hand or progressing the board state by playing Curio Vendor.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a strict mana allocation with a specific blue mana cost, thereby imposing a constraint that may not fit seamlessly into multicolored or colorless decks, potentially affecting deck-building strategies and mana base composition.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost efficiency of Curio Vendor is open to debate; costing two mana – one of which is specific to blue – may be viewed as steep given its seemingly nominal in-game impact. This can influence players to opt for alternate two-drops offering more value or versatility within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Curio Vendor can effortlessly fit into decks that excel in turning small creatures into big threats. Its low casting cost makes it a seamless addition to any early-game strategy looking to maintain pace in a swift match.
Combo Potential: As a creature with the prowess ability, Curio Vendor pairs well with spells that bolster your creatures or hinder your opponents. It can serve as a fine-tuning element in decks that capitalize on casting numerous noncreature spells.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and early momentum are crucial, Curio Vendor shines. It holds its ground in a metagame that values quick accumulation of board control, especially in environments where prowess creatures can tip the game in your favor.
How to beat
Curio Vendor is a card that offers players in Magic: The Gathering a degree of versatility within blue decks. It’s a creature that’s consistent with the prowess of cost-effective blue creatures known for their ability to fit into various strategic slots on the battlefield. Furthermore, Curio Vendor’s two power makes it a card that demands attention.
Combatting Curio Vendor efficiently requires a sound strategy. Removal spells are the direct approach, with options like Shock or Fatal Push presenting solutions that can dispatch the Vendor before its controller derives significant value. Speed is crucial; removing Curio Vendor before buffs or additional synergies come into play keeps the board state manageable. Another tactical measure is using counter magic. Spells such as Essence Scatter can prevent the Vendor from hitting the field altogether, eliminating potential problems down the road.
In essence, the key to overcoming Curio Vendor lies in early interaction. By preventing its deployment or using timely removal, players can stifle the momentum it may grant an opponent, maintaining tempo and board control, contributing to achieving victory over decks employing this adaptable creature.
Cards like Curio Vendor
Curio Vendor is a unique presence among the myriad of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This creature shares similarities with the likes of Looter il-Kor, a card that allows players to draw then discard a card when it deals damage to an opponent. However, unlike Looter il-Kor, Curio Vendor doesn’t come equipped with the draw-discarding ability, focusing solely on providing you with a solid body on the board.
Another comparable card is Augur of Bolas, with both creatures having a 2/3 status for a two and one blue mana cost. Yet, Augur of Bolas stands out with its ability to provide card advantage by revealing the top three cards of your library and allowing you to reveal an instant or sorcery card and put it into your hand. Conversely, Curio Vendor lacks this card filtering capability.
Ultimately, Curio Vendor remains a decent option for players seeking a straightforward creature for their decks. While it may not have the card manipulation abilities of its counterparts, its synergy with other artifact or blue strategy-focused decks cannot be discounted, making it a card worth considering for specific MTG deck builds.
Cards similar to Curio Vendor by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Curio Vendor MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Mystery Booster, 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 Curio Vendor 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
Printings
The Curio Vendor Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 42 | 2015 | normal | black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 341 | 2015 | normal | black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KLD-42 | 2015 | normal | black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Curio Vendor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
