Ghostly Pilferer MTG Card


Provides card advantage by drawing cards through opponents’ actions, enhancing hand resources. Flexible untap ability for strategic resource acceleration, crucial for maintaining pace. Activation at instant speed offers tactical opportunities to outmaneuver opponents.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit Rogue
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Whenever Ghostly Pilferer becomes untapped, you may pay . If you do, draw a card. Whenever an opponent casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand, draw a card. Discard a card: Ghostly Pilferer can't be blocked this turn.


Cards like Ghostly Pilferer

Ghostly Pilferer stands as a unique specimen in the myriad of blue creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to enable card draw while punishing opponents for their strategies, particularly in Commander format, relates to cards like Thieving Skydiver for its thieving properties. However, while Thieving Skydiver targets artifacts specifically, Ghostly Pilferer’s capabilities are engaged every time an opponent casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand or untaps permanents.

Comparably, there’s Looter il-Kor, a card with a similar looting effect as the Ghostly Pilferer. Yet, Looter il-Kor requires attacking and only triggers its ability during combat. This is in contrast with Ghostly Pilferer which has a trigger from broader actions from the opponent. Another cognate is Spectral Sailor, offering card draw for blue decks. However, its drawing power doesn’t inherently disrupt the opponent’s plays like Ghostly Pilferer does.

Considering the balance between offensive and disruptive capabilities, Ghostly Pilferer exemplifies versatility in blue’s lineup. Not only can it draw cards, but it also unveils opponents’ strategies, and harasses their game plan, providing a distinct edge in the ebb and flow of MTG matches.

Thieving Skydiver - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Spectral Sailor - MTG Card versions
Thieving Skydiver - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Spectral Sailor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ghostly Pilferer by color, type and mana cost

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Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Sage - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Ghostly Pilferer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghostly Pilferer provides consistent card draw, helping you maintain a full hand. Each time an opponent plays from anywhere other than their hand or a creature token enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control, you get to draw a card. This can generate a significant lead in resources over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to discard a card and untap Ghostly Pilferer enables you to potentially use mana more efficiently. In particular, the flexibility to do this at any time allows for strategic plays to outpace an opponent, keeping you ahead in the resource race.

Instant Speed: Ghostly Pilferer’s ability to draw a card can be activated at instant speed, which maximizes tactical opportunities. You’re able to respond to an opponent’s actions—and if no actions warrant a response, you still can draw at the end of their turn, thus making the best use of your mana and keeping your options open.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Ghostly Pilferer requires a constant stream of cards from your hand to utilize its full potential. Every time an opponent casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand, you must discard a card to draw a card. This can potentially deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options in the long game.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghostly Pilferer’s utility is tied to a specific mana configuration, needing both blue and generic mana. While this is typical for blue spells, it does mean that the card is less flexible for decks that do not prioritize blue mana or run multiple colors with a tight mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ghostly Pilferer sits at two mana, which is a fair cost for its abilities. However, when compared to other disruptive creatures or draw engines available to blue players, some may find the initial cost alongside its activated abilities a bit steep for what it brings to the table, particularly in fast-paced games where each mana point counts.


Reasons to Include Ghostly Pilferer in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghostly Pilferer fits seamlessly into a wide array of blue-centric decks. Its ability to draw cards upon opponents’ actions ensures it remains an active threat in various stages of the game.

Combo Potential: This specter synergizes with strategies revolving around discard or card draw mechanics. Its secondary ability to tax opponents when they play from anywhere other than their hands can be a linchpin in disruption-focused decks.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape evolves, having a responsive creature that can exploit your opponent’s strategy becomes crucial. Ghostly Pilferer remains relevant, adapting to counter numerous popular tactics across diverse meta environments.


How to beat

Ghostly Pilferer can be quite the slippery adversary in any MTG deck, adept at disrupting your opponent’s strategy and gaining card advantage. Not only can it tax your opponent by forcing them to pay mana whenever they try to untap, but it also provides the added utility of drawing a card whenever your opponent plays from anywhere other than their hand, which includes graveyard and library strategies.

To effectively counter Ghostly Pilferer, consider deploying removal spells that can target this elusive creature directly. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can bypass its ability to become unblockable, are excellent choices. Alternatively, employing graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can mitigate the card advantage Ghostly Pilferer seeks to provide, rendering its ability less effective. Lastly, using instant-speed interactions to bait out its unblockable ability before combat can leave it exposed to conventional removal. By strategically timing your spells and maintaining control of the graveyard, you can navigate around the Ghostly Pilferer’s tricks with precision.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Ghostly Pilferer’s position in the grand tapestry of MTG is crucial for any avid player, keen on gaining a strategic edge. Its unique abilities cater to those who prize resource management and tactical foresight. As we’ve explored its strengths and weaknesses, remember that incorporating this card into your deck is just one piece of the intricate puzzle of building a winning strategy. If Ghostly Pilferer aligns with your playstyle, then it’s a worthy addition to your collection. Keen to further your MTG knowledge and tactics involving cards like Ghostly Pilferer? Dive deeper with us, refine your deck building, and enhance your gameplay expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghostly Pilferer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2021, 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 Ghostly Pilferer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ghostly Pilferer Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 819402015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 522015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
32020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3502015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
42021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1052015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
52022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 2232015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
62024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 982015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghostly Pilferer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-06-23 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-06-23 Ghostly Pilferer's first ability triggers during your untap step, but it's put onto the stack at the same time as abilities that trigger at the beginning of your upkeep step. Even though the ability triggered first, you may order it before or after other abilities you control that are put onto the stack at this time.
2020-06-23 Once Ghostly Pilferer has been blocked, activating its last ability doesn't cause it to become unblocked.
2020-06-23 Players can cast spells and activate abilities after the second triggered ability resolves but before the spell that caused it to trigger does.
2020-06-23 While resolving Ghostly Pilferer's first ability, you can't pay more than to draw more than one card.