Kitesail Freebooter MTG Card


Kitesail Freebooter’s ability disrupts opponents by exiling key noncreature spells, giving players tactical advantage. Influence on mana resource management allows for more efficient board development and strategic plays. While limited by its specific mana cost and comparative fragility, it remains a versatile card with combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Pirate
Abilities Flying
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying When Kitesail Freebooter enters the battlefield, target opponent reveals his or her hand. You choose a noncreature, nonland card from it. Exile that card until Kitesail Freebooter leaves the battlefield.


Cards like Kitesail Freebooter

Kitesail Freebooter takes its rightful place in the pantheon of hand disruption creatures within Magic: The Gathering. When looking at this card, it evokes memories of another notorious hand peeker: Thoughtseize. However, Kitesail Freebooter flies above the rest with its ability to pilfer nonland, noncreature cards while also providing a body in the air. This piratical prowess can sway the tides of play much like Thoughtseize, but with the added benefit of potentially recurring usage due to its creature type.

Closely related in function is Tidehollow Sculler, presenting a similar exile effect within a creature framework. What sets Kitesail Freebooter apart is its evasion ability. Being able to attack in the air gives it a clear edge over the ground-bound Sculler. While the Sculler can nab any nonland card which offers broader options, the Freebooter’s specialty in plundering noncreature magic makes it a targeted choice against noncreature heavy decks.

Through a comparative lens, Kitesail Freebooter shines as a valuable choice for players looking to disrupt opponents’ hands while developing their board presence. Its blend of theft and tactical air attack makes it a formidable card to consider in decks that prioritize intel and evasion.

Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions
Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions

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Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WBWB LegacyLegacy League 2024-04-20
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
Abzan boisAbzan bois Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
Five-Color HumansFive-Color Humans Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
Orzhov HumansOrzhov Humans PioneerOrzhov HumansPioneer Challenge 32 2024-02-11
Esper HumansEsper Humans ModernHumansGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangeReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)
4c Humans4c Humans Pioneer4c HumansPioneer Challenge 64 2024-03-09
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kitesail Freebooter offers a unique form of card advantage by temporarily removing a noncreature, nonland card from an opponent’s hand. This disruption not only provides you with information about the opponent’s potential plays but also hinders their strategy by denying them access to that card until the Freebooter leaves the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While the Freebooter itself does not directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, it can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by easing pressure on your mana. By removing a key spell from your opponent’s hand, you may not need to allocate mana on your turn for answers, allowing you to develop your board or resources unhindered.

Instant Speed: Although Kitesail Freebooter is not an instant, its ability simulates a similar effect by allowing you to play it during your main phase after your opponent has drawn their card for the turn. This timing ensures that you have the most current information and the opportunity to disrupt instant-speed plays your opponent might have had planned for your turn or the next.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kitesail Freebooter does not directly force you to discard cards, the effect upon entering the battlefield could lead to a scenario where essential cards are removed from your hand, possibly disrupting your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Kitesail Freebooter requires one black mana, which ties it specifically to decks that can generate black mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to multicolored decks or those heavily skewed towards black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its utility, Kitesail Freebooter’s mana cost might be seen as a tad steep for its 1/2 body. In a game where efficiency can dictate the pace, there might be instances where investing two mana for this specific effect doesn’t align with the player’s strategic curve.


Reasons to Include Kitesail Freebooter in Your Collection

Versatility: Kitesail Freebooter is a flexible card that can be effortlessly integrated into a variety of decks, particularly those keen on disruption and applying early game pressure. Its ability to temporarily snag a noncreature, nonland card from an opponent’s hand can tip the scales in many matchups, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This pirate shines in strategies focused on utilizing enter-the-battlefield effects or in conjunction with cards that take advantage of opponents being deprived of resources. The Freebooter’s skill at nabbing key opponent cards can open the door for game-winning combos or disrupt the adversary’s plans.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dense with hand-disruption tactics and control schemes, Kitesail Freebooter has the agility to outmaneuver heavy spells and become a recurring nightmare for any deck relying on crucial noncreature spells. Its relevance grows as it provides a body for aggression while disturbing the coherent execution of an opponent’s strategy.


Understanding Kitesail Freebooter’s Impact on the Board

When Kitesail Freebooter enters the battlefield, this nimble pirate disrupts your opponent’s hand by whisking away a noncreature, nonland card until the Freebooter leaves play. This can temporarily clear the way for your strategy by targeting key spells and disrupting your opponent’s plans. However, the strength of Kitesail Freebooter lies not only in removing a critical spell from your opponent but also in its synergy with other piracy-themed cards that benefit from opponents having fewer cards in hand. By combining it with cards that punish or leverage discarded or exiled cards, you bolster your offensive while disrupting theirs.

How to beat

Beating Kitesail Freebooter requires a bit of finesse and an understanding of its limitations. First, the effect is temporary—once you remove the Freebooter, your card returns. Focus on removal spells that can deal with the Freebooter such as Shock or Fatal Push to get your card back. Alternatively, playing around the Freebooter by holding onto backup copies of important spells or playing cards that can’t be targeted by the Freebooter’s ability ensures that you maintain a strong board presence. Lastly, having an instant-speed response when Kitesail Freebooter’s ability is on the stack can save your key card from exile, keeping your game plan intact.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the dynamics of Kitesail Freebooter reveals strategic layers that could redefine your MTG matches. This card is a strategic chameleon, blurring the line between mere piracy and tactical dominance. Gaining the upper hand in resource control can often mean the difference between victory and defeat. Playing with the Freebooter challenges you to think ahead, anticipate your opponent’s response, and adapt on the fly. Does your deck crave the cunning that Kitesail Freebooter offers? Continue your MTG journey with us and learn how to optimize your gameplay by incorporating this versatile card into your arsenal for an edge over your adversaries.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kitesail Freebooter MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan 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 Kitesail Freebooter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kitesail Freebooter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 1102015NormalBlackDan Scott
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 1072015NormalBlackDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kitesail Freebooter has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kitesail Freebooter 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 If Kitesail Freebooter leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the opponent will reveal their hand, but no card will be exiled.