Incursion Specialist MTG Card


Incursion Specialist - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number38
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables card draw at instant speed, offering strategic advantage and maintaining hand resources.
  2. Demanding unblockability condition and specific mana cost require thoughtful deck construction.
  3. Offers great combo potential and threat versatility, fitting well in spell-heavy decks.

Text of card

Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, Incursion Specialist gets +2/+0 until end of turn and is unblockable this turn.

"Work for the Dimir again? That depends. Tell me more about this maze."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Incursion Specialist provides a unique avenue for card advantage. When it becomes the target of a spell, you may pay a little extra to draw a card, thus keeping your hand replenished while developing your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Incursion Specialist itself does not directly generate additional resources, by enabling card draw, it indirectly accelerates your resource access. Each extra card in hand opens up new lines of play and the possibility to land more land drops or cast more spells sooner.

Instant Speed: The ability to draw a card when Incursion Specialist becomes the target of a spell includes those cast at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to react to your opponent’s actions on their turn, potentially drawing into answers or simply benefiting from the triggered ability when buffing the Specialist in response to threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incursion Specialist’s ability to become unblockable is contingent on the discard of another creature card, which could be a hefty price when your hand is short on options or you’re trying to maintain board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires both blue and generic mana, thereby necessitating a dedicated slot in blue-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue mana and one generic mana for a 2/1 creature, Incursion Specialist demands a significant investment for what it offers in power and toughness. This cost evaluation becomes particularly critical when compared against other creatures in the same mana range that might present more immediate threats or valuable abilities.


Reasons to Include Incursion Specialist in Your Collection

Versatility: Incursion Specialist, a creature card, offers flexibility in deck-building due to its ability to become a threat if you play another spell in the same turn. This adapts to various playstyles, from aggressive to tempo-focused decks.

Combo Potential: As a creature that benefits from casting multiple spells, Incursion Specialist works well with decks geared towards spell-slinging. Its ability to grow in power creates opportunities to build synergistic combos, leveraging its powered-up state.

Meta-Relevance: In environments that favor creature-based strategies or in matchups where sudden boosts in power are key, Incursion Specialist could hold significant value. Its relevance will vary with the shifting tides of local and broader MTG metas.


How to beat

Incursion Specialist, a card that brings excitement to your deck with its elusive abilities, requires strategic planning to overcome in Magic: The Gathering. This card, which becomes stronger when you cast a second spell, can quickly turn the tides of a match if unchecked. The key to countering Incursion Specialist lies in disrupting your opponent’s momentum. Efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, played at the opportune moment, can efficiently handle this threat before it gains its power boost. Additionally, keeping countermagic reserve like Negate ensures you can prevent pivotal second spells from resolving, thus keeping the Incursion Specialist from becoming ominous. Look towards cards that limit your opponent’s casting capabilities or punish them for overextending, such as Damping Sphere or Kambal, Consul of Allocation. Above all, maintain a steady pace and pressure to prevent your rival from establishing the synergistic plays that Incursion Specialist thrives on.


Cards like Incursion Specialist

Incursion Specialist stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a creature that rewards players for casting multiple spells. It draws a parallel with the likes of Wee Dragonauts, which also flourishes under a flurry of spellcasting. While Incursion Specialist gains a sizable power boost and becomes unblockable when its condition is met, Wee Dragonauts gains flying and a temporary power increase for each instant or sorcery you cast.

An analogous card, Kiln Fiend, is a powerhouse in terms of raw attack potential. Kiln Fiend gains a considerable boost with each spell cast, but unlike Incursion Specialist, it doesn’t have the added evasion to become unblockable. Therefore, the Specialist’s advantage lies in securing potential damage without the fear of being blocked, which can be pivotal in tight situations.

Lastly, consider the prowess mechanic, exemplified by Monastery Swiftspear. This card gains incremental power and toughness bonuses for each noncreature spell cast. Though Incursion Specialist can outshine with a heftier boost on the same turn, cards like Monastery Swiftspear provide consistent incremental value across turns. As players decide on which card to include in their decks, the Specialist’s strategic benefit of unblockability often makes it a strong contender against these formidable peers.

Wee Dragonauts - MTG Card versions
Kiln Fiend - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Wee Dragonauts - MTG Card versions
Kiln Fiend - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Incursion Specialist MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Incursion Specialist and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Incursion Specialist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-01-24 Incursion Specialist’s ability can trigger only once each turn. The ability will resolve before the second spell resolves. It doesn’t matter if the first spell you cast that turn has resolved, was countered, or is still on the stack.

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