Pirate's Pillage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Treasure

Key Takeaways

  1. Pirate’s Pillage provides both a card advantage and mana ramp through Treasure tokens.
  2. Its discard requirement and specific mana cost can be hindrances in some decks.
  3. Despite its mana investment, the card’s versatility makes it a tempting inclusion.

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast Pirate's Pillage, discard a card. Draw two cards and create two colorless Treasure artifact tokens with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

Goblins can carry their body weight in loot.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pirate’s Pillage plays a crucial role by offering you the chance to discard a card of lesser value from your hand and in return, draw two more potent cards. This can be a game-changer when you’re in need of specific answers or looking to execute your strategy more effectively.

Resource Acceleration: With Pirate’s Pillage, not only are you refilling your hand, but you’re also gaining access to additional resources. The two Treasure tokens it provides can ramp up your mana production, enabling you to cast higher-cost spells earlier than your opponent expects.

Instant Speed: Although Pirate’s Pillage is a sorcery, understanding how it can synergize with instant speed interactions is key. In scenarios where you have cards that benefit from spell casting or need to trigger prowess-like effects on your turn, this card can be quite advantageous.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pirate’s Pillage necessitates that you discard a card to initiate its effect. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running short on playable options and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands both red mana and generic mana, Pirate’s Pillage may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that can struggle to produce the right mana combination efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating four mana for this spell, you could potentially be overlooking alternatives with lower costs that still fulfill the need for card advantage or ramp capabilities, possibly impairing the deck’s overall speed and efficiency.


Reasons to Include Pirate’s Pillage in Your Collection

Versatility: Pirate’s Pillage has the flexibility you want, providing both card draw and treasure tokens which act as mana accelerators. This card is a perfect fit for decks that need a bit of ramp and refilling the hand.

Combo Potential: This card creates treasure tokens, which are clutch for enabling combos or synergizing with strategies that capitalize on artifacts or sacrifice mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values resource acceleration and card advantage, Pirate’s Pillage can be an unsung hero. It holds its own, especially in formats where setting up for the late game is crucial.


How to beat

Pirate’s Pillage presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG cards, offering both card draw and extra mana in the form of Treasure tokens. To effectively counter this trickster’s treasure trove, smart removal of the generated tokens can mitigate the upcoming mana advantage. Focus on disrupting your opponent’s mana base as Pirate’s Pillage carries a four mana cost, which can be a significant investment early in the game. Cards like Thrashing Brontodon or Artifact Mutation offer a pathway to destroying treasures and gaining the upper hand.

Moreover, timing is crucial when playing against a deck that utilizes Pirate’s Pillage. Seizing the opportunity to apply pressure before your opponent converts extra mana into a match-winning play is key. Deploying instant-speed interaction can help navigate around the slower sorcery speed of Pirate’s Pillage and gives you a chance to set the tempo of the match.

Overall, with sensible resource management and strategic planning, you’re well-equipped to sail past the challenges Pirate’s Pillage may attempt to plunder in your MTG endeavors. Navigating the high seas of mana and card advantage will surely lead you to your very own victory treasure chest.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the depth of strategy that MTG presents, Pirate’s Pillage stands out as a multifaceted card capable of turning the tides in your favor. Giving you card draw and those coveted Treasure tokens means you’re always at an advantage, fueling both your spells and your strategy. Whether you’re looking to combo off, ramp up, or just gain that edge in card advantage, incorporating Pirate’s Pillage can be a decisive move in your deck building. Eager to refine your plays and optimize your deck’s potential? Step into our treasure trove of tips and tactics at BurnMana, where we help you chart a course to triumph in MTG.


Cards like Pirate's Pillage

Delving into the realm of resource-accelerating spells in Magic: The Gathering, Pirate’s Pillage is a noteworthy contender. It echoes the mechanics of cards like Brass’s Bounty yet differentiates itself with its lower mana cost and the advantage of drawing cards in addition to generating Treasure tokens. Unlike Brass’s Bounty, which exclusively focuses on mass token generation based on the number of lands you control, Pirate’s Pillage offers an additional layer of utility by replacing itself in your hand, thus maintaining card equilibrium.

When considering Spell Swindle, we observe another token-generating spell, with the unique benefit of being tied to the cost of the countered spell. It’s distinctly different from Pirate’s Pillage with its reactive nature as a counterspell but shares the Treasure token generation. Pirate’s Pillage demands a more proactive approach since it’s a sorcery, ensuring the bonus of Treasure tokens and card draw regardless of opponents’ actions.

Each spell has its place depending on a player’s strategy, but Pirate’s Pillage shines with its dual ability to ramp and replenish, a solid combination for decks looking to stay ahead in both resources and options in Magic: The Gathering.

Brass's Bounty - MTG Card versions
Spell Swindle - MTG Card versions
Brass's Bounty - MTG Card versions
Spell Swindle - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pirate's Pillage MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Double Masters 2022, 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 Pirate's Pillage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pirate's Pillage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 1092015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 1202015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pirate's Pillage has restrictions

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

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