Jalum Grifter MTG Card


Jalum Grifter - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Devil
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Power 3
Toughness 5
Number47
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Bordersilver
Illustred byClaymore J. Flapdoodle
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Jalum Grifter offers card advantage and potential board control by disrupting opponents during their turn.
  2. Its demanding discard and specific mana cost can limit usage, but are balanced by unique abilities.
  3. The card’s utility and meta relevance make it a strategic pick for players valuing adaptability.

Text of card

o1o R, oc T: Put Jalum Grifter and two lands you control face down in front of target opponent after revealing each card to him or her. Then, rearrange the order of the three cards as often as you wish, keeping them on the table at all times. That opponent then chooses one of those cards. If a land is chosen, destroy target card in play. Otherwise, sacrifice Jalum Grifter.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jalum Grifter’s abilities can lead to an increase in card value for the player by potentially disrupting the opponent’s hand, while yourself maintaining a strong board presence.

Resource Acceleration: With the right setup, this card can contribute to your resource acceleration by deterring opponent actions that would otherwise affect your mana base or board state, indirectly preserving your resources for pivotal turns.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Jalum Grifter can influence instant speed interactions due to its ability to be activated at any time you could cast an instant, allowing strategic plays during the opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Jalum Grifter brings a unique angle to gameplay, but it comes with the steep price of needing to discard cards. This can lead to situations where you’re forced to part with valuable cards in order to activate its abilities, putting you at a potential resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a precise mana cost that includes both red and generic mana, Jalum Grifter places itself firmly within the domain of red-aligned decks. This requirement potentially restricts its versatility across the diverse landscape of MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in with a mana cost that might make even the most seasoned players wary, Jalum Grifter competes with a myriad of more cost-effective options. For the investment, players often expect a more immediate or impactful advantage, which this card might not always be able to provide.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jalum Grifter, a card that can create copy tokens of other permanents, offers a broad spectrum of utility across diverse deck strategies. This unique ability allows players to maximize the effects of their most impactful cards.

Combo Potential: The card excels in its ability to combo with numerous cards enabling intricate interactions. The possibility to duplicate key pieces in a combo or amplify value turns makes Jalum Grifter a potent inclusion for any player focusing on synergetic play styles.

Meta-Relevance: In prevalent metas filled with key individual permanents, having a card that can mimic and harness those powers can be a game-changer. By adapting to ongoing trends and effectively countering popular strategies, Jalum Grifter remains a relevant choice for competitive deck building.


How to beat

Jalum Grifter presents as a unique challenge in the landscape of MTG. This card, while not often encountered in competitive play, can disrupt strategies via its ability to flip coins and potentially gain control of an opponent’s artifact. This function serves as both a potential asset and a glaring liability if harnessed effectively by the opposition.

To effectively counter Jalum Grifter, one must understand its reliance on artifacts and chance. Cards that prevent the targeting of artifacts provide a solid defense such as Padeem, Consul of Innovation. Moreover, controlling the randomness by using cards like Krark’s Thumb helps mitigate Jalum Grifter’s unpredictable outcome, blunting its impact on the game. Direct removal spells remain a fail-safe option, with tools like Murder or Beast Within offering a straightforward solution to an otherwise problematic card.

Ultimately, the key is identifying the threat early and neutralizing it before it can become an influential factor. The right combination of preventative measures and situational awareness can turn a game around, even when facing the mercuriality of a card like Jalum Grifter. Being prepared for such surprises will improve any player’s competitive edge on the MTG battlefield.


Cards like Jalum Grifter

Jalum Grifter stands out in the landscape of red creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Like Jalum Grifter, Goblin Game presents an unusual twist to gameplay by involving a guessing game that can shift the tides of a match. However, Jalum Grifter brings a unique blend of abilities to the table. It not only creates an element of chance but also allows the controller to potentially take control of an opponent’s artifact.

Another comparable card is Dack Fayden, emblematic for his ability to seize artifacts. While Dack offers more control over the type of artifact acquired, Jalum Grifter adds a layer of unpredictability with its coin flip mechanic. Conversely, Chance Encounter is a card that capitalizes on the randomness of flipping coins, rewarding players for winning coin tosses, much like Jalum Grifter could confer benefits from a successful flip.

Assessing these cards side by side, Jalum Grifter has a distinctive position amongst MTG cards that manipulate chance and artifact control. This duality makes it a compelling choice for players who enjoy strategy laced with a touch of fortune.

Goblin Game - MTG Card versions
Dack Fayden - MTG Card versions
Chance Encounter - MTG Card versions
Goblin Game - Planeshift (PLS)
Dack Fayden - Conspiracy (CNS)
Chance Encounter - Odyssey (ODY)

Cards similar to Jalum Grifter by color, type and mana cost

Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Torchling - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Balduvian War-Makers - Alliances (ALL)
Hivis of the Scale - Mirage (MIR)
Hulking Cyclops - Visions (VIS)
Flame Spirit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Salamander - Tempest (TMP)
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Dwarven Strike Force - Odyssey (ODY)
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Tephraderm - Onslaught (ONS)
Avarax - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Bonethorn Valesk - Scourge (SCG)
Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Shard Phoenix - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Soul of Magma - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hunted Dragon - The List (PLST)
Torchling - Planar Chaos (PLC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jalum Grifter MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Jalum Grifter and other MTG cards:

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