Guttersnipe MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 17 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Transforms instants and sorceries into additional damage, maximizing card efficiency in spell-heavy decks.
  2. Supports strategy by allowing optimal spell timing and resource management, bolstering tactical play.
  3. While potent, Guttersnipe requires a suitable deck and might narrow deck-building options due to its cost.

Text of card

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Guttersnipe deals 2 damage to each opponent.

He wants to watch Ravnica burn, one soul at a time.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Guttersnipe is a valuable asset in spell-centric decks, turning each instant and sorcery card you cast into an additional source of damage. This effectively increases your card efficiency, getting more utility out of each card played and putting dual pressure on your opponents: both from the spell itself and the triggered damage.

Resource Acceleration: While Guttersnipe does not directly produce mana, the card acts as a form of resource acceleration in a more tactical sense. The consistent damage it deals allows you to preserve other resources for controlling the board or advancing your game plan, as opponents must deal with the threat of incremental damage over time.

Instant Speed: Guttersnipe shines in decks focused on instant speed interaction. Without casting additional spells, Guttersnipe deals damage whenever you cast an instant, rewarding you for playing on your opponent’s turn and keeping up the tempo. This adds a layer of strategy, as you can optimize the timing of your spells for maximum impact, all while Guttersnipe chips away at your opponent’s life total.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Guttersnipe doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it demands a deck built around instants and sorceries, which could pressure your hand if you don’t draw enough cards to sustain its ability.

Specific Mana Cost: Guttersnipe’s red and generic mana cost restricts it to red-inclusive decks, limiting its versatility and potentially causing issues in multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three-mana cost for a 2/2 body may impact your tempo, especially since the card doesn’t provide immediate board presence or defense capability comparable to other cards at the same cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Guttersnipe’s ability to deal damage each time you cast an instant or sorcery spell allows it to be a key player in many red-based decks, particularly those that want to cast numerous spells in a single turn.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy with decks that are packed with low-cost spells, enabling a rapid accumulation of damage. It’s not uncommon for Guttersnipe to be the lynchpin in a deck that can burn opponents out of nowhere.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where players often build around creature-based strategies, having a card like Guttersnipe helps disrupt opponents by transforming your spells into dual threats – advancing your board state while chipping away at the opponent’s life total.


How to beat

Guttersnipe is a powerful creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for turning spells into direct damage against opponents. To tackle this card effectively, understanding its weaknesses is key. Guttersnipe requires a strategy involving multiple spells to maximize its potential. Interrupting this synergy by removing Guttersnipe from the battlefield swiftly is advisable. Instants like Shock or Fatal Push work well as they are low-cost and can be played on your opponent’s turn, minimizing the impact of their spells.

Another strategy is to limit the number of spells your opponent can cast. Cards that impose costs on spell casting or restrict the number of spells each turn can stall a Guttersnipe-based assault. Furthermore, counter spells can negate the key instants and sorceries that enable Guttersnipe’s damage output. By keeping control of the board and preemptively managing the flow of spells, you reduce the threat posed by this cunning creature, thereby swinging the game in your favor.

Guttersnipe may seem daunting, but with the right mixture of removal, counters, and spell limitation, you can dismantle the strategies that make this creature so formidable. Understand your deck, focus on disrupting your opponent’s tempo, and you’ll find yourself well-equipped to beat Guttersnipe.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the world of MTG, every card choice is pivotal, and Guttersnipe stands out for those who adore spell-slinging strategies. Embracing the strengths of this fiery creature can turn your deck into an arsenal of consistent damage. Think of Guttersnipe as not just a card but as a gateway to refine your gameplay, hone strategic decisions, and tweak your deck to optimized effectiveness. To leverage Guttersnipe’s full potential, consider honing in on spell density and integrating synergistic cards for an explosive impact. Explore more with us, where we offer insights and strategies to transform your decks into a potent force on the battlefield.


Cards like Guttersnipe

Guttersnipe is a notable creature card in MTG that spices up spell-slinging decks, especially in the Izzet colors. This creature shines by inflicting damage to each opponent whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, adding additional value to each of your spells. Its direct comparison is often made to cards like Electrostatic Field and Firebrand Archer, both of which also damage opponents under similar conditions. However, Guttersnipe differentiates itself by dealing a higher amount of damage at the cost of a slightly higher mana investment.

Electrostatic Field, a defender, deals less damage but comes out earlier and adds a defensive body to the field. It’s a trade-off between offense and defense, depending on the deck’s strategy. Firebrand Archer lacks the defensive capabilities of Electrostatic Field but can attack and has a lower casting cost, which appeals to a more aggressive game plan. Thermo-Alchemist is another similar card that can untap itself to deal repeated damage, emphasizing a combo-oriented approach that can potentially generate large amounts of damage.

Evaluating these cards, Guttersnipe remains a compelling choice for MTG players who want to pair creature presence with powerful spell synergies. Its ability to impact the game with every cast makes it a central piece in decks built around casting numerous spells.

Electrostatic Field - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Archer - MTG Card versions
Thermo-Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Field - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Firebrand Archer - Hour of Devastation (HOU)
Thermo-Alchemist - Eldritch Moon (EMN)

Cards similar to Guttersnipe by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guttersnipe MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Return to Ravnica, 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 Guttersnipe and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guttersnipe Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 692482003normalblackIzzy
22012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 982003normalblackSteve Prescott
32013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1122003normalblackSteve Prescott
42016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1622015normalblackSteve Prescott
52017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 512015normalblackSteve Prescott
62017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1312015normalblackMathias Kollros
72018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 1452015normalblackIzzy
82018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1452015normalblackMathias Kollros
92018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 312015normalblackSteve Prescott
102019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1452015normalblackMathias Kollros
112019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9702015normalblackMathias Kollros
122020-09-26The ListPLST E01-512015normalblackSteve Prescott
132020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-1312015normalblackMathias Kollros
142023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2202015normalblackSimon Dominic
152023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2292015normalblackMathias Kollros
162024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3321997normalblackSteve Prescott
172024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1102015normalblackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guttersnipe has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-07-13 Guttersnipe's triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2018-07-13 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Guttersnipe's ability causes the opposing team to lose 4 life.

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