Way of the Thief MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Number	56
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage and adaptability with instant-speed play, enhancing rogue strategies effectively.
Demands careful play due to its discard requirement and specific, somewhat restrictive blue mana cost.
Perfect for evasion-focused decks, its meta-relevance shines in environments heavy on creature defenses.

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2. Enchanted creature is unblockable as long as you control a Gate.

A true shortcut isn't a way other people don't know; it's a way other people can't go.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Way of the Thief facilitates drawing additional cards, crucial for outmaneuvering opponents by providing a consistently fuller hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with rogue or unblockable creatures, quickly escalating your board presence and expediting your access to vital resources.

Instant Speed: Its instant nature means you can effortlessly adapt to the evolving game state, utilizing it when most advantageous, usually during the combat phase to maximize surprise and efficiency.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Way of the Thief requires players to discard another card, which might not always be beneficial. This can strain your hand, especially in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Navigating your deck to include Way of the Thief means you’re committed to its blue mana cost. This can restrict deck flexibility and may not synergize well with strategies that require a diverse mana base or those that are not focused on blue spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that leans on the higher side, some players might find it less appealing. Alternative cards might provide similar or better effects with a lower mana investment, making them more practical for fast-paced gameplay or in decks aiming to maintain tempo advantages.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Way of the Thief allows a degree of adaptability in decks focused on enhancing unblockable features. It complements strategies that aim for direct damage by bypassing creatures.

Combo Potential: When integrated with cards that reward players for connecting with opponents, such as card draw or life gain, Way of the Thief can become a key component in executing combo strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based defenses dominate, Way of the Thief gains value, enabling critical damage through fortified lines and synergizing well with evasion-centric decks.

How to Beat Way of the Thief

Way of the Thief has become a challenging card to face on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This aura enchants creatures and can turn the tides of combat in favor of your opponent when their creatures become unblockable as long as they control a Gate. To counter this strategy, control decks often use spot removals like Murder or Doom Blade to eliminate the enhanced threat before it becomes unblockable. Also, countering the aura itself with spells such as Negate can nip the problem in the bud.

For those not running heavy control, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can help reset the board, removing the buffed creature along with any others that may be a problem. It’s also wise to limit the number of Gates your opponent controls by using land destruction or cards like Ghost Quarter to take the power away from Way of the Thief.

Lastly, another strategy is to go head-to-head with their unblockable creature by winning the race with your plans, using your powerful creatures, or an alternative strategy like going wide with tokens. Managing to keep the pressure on your opponent forces them to make difficult decisions about defense versus attacking with their unblockable creature.

Cards like Way of the Thief

Exploring the breadth of Magic: The Gathering’s card pool unveils the tactical finesse of Way of the Thief, a spell that enhances creatures’ evasiveness. Its closest relatives include cards like Aether Tunnel, which, like Way of the Thief, grants a creature the ability to be unblockable. The key distinction, however, is that Aether Tunnel doesn’t hinge on the control of a Gate to activate its full potential. Then we shift to Spectral Flight, which not only makes creatures harder to block but also confers an additional power and toughness boost.

Delving deeper, we see Cloak of Mists in the mix, offering a similar effect by making a creature unblockable without the extra perks. The simplicity of Cloak of Mists contrasts with the conditional nature of Way of the Thief that rewards deck building around Gates. These comparisons showcase the range of strategic options players have when considering evasion-boosting auras, with Way of the Thief standing out in decks that are built to satisfy its Gate requirement.

Therefore, within the ecosystem of MTG, Way of the Thief provides a nuanced option for players crafting a strategy around creature invisibility with the added layer of a Gate-centric deck composition.

Cards similar to Way of the Thief by color, type and mana cost

Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions

Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions

Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Way of the Thief 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 Way of the Thief and other MTG cards: