Tavern Scoundrel MTG Card


Generates Treasures, ramping mana to unlock potent plays, flipping the scales in your favor. Flexibility with Treasures at instant speed, adapting to shifts during intense battles. Carries risk with coin flips, challenging MTG tacticians to weigh potential gains and losses.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Abilities Treasure
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever you win a coin flip, create two Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.") , , Sacrifice another permanent: Flip a coin.

"No refunds. I cheated you fair and square."


Similar Cards to Tavern Scoundrel

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Tavern Scoundrel takes its place among the unique set of cards that involve coin flipping. Its immediate compatriot in this category is the notorious card, Chance Encounter, which shares the element of using luck to turn the tides of the game. However, Tavern Scoundrel stands out with its ability to generate Treasure tokens, offering a tangible reward for taking a chance on the flip of a coin.

Another relative is Stitch in Time, a spell that also depends on a successful coin toss to yield an extra turn, potentially a huge advantage in gameplay. The distinct advantage of Tavern Scoundrel is its lower cost and the consistent benefit of creating additional mana with Treasure tokens, especially useful in decks that capitalize on ramping up resources.

Krark’s Thumb is yet another fitting comparison, magnifying the impact of coin flips by allowing a player to choose the best outcome of two flips. Krark’s Thumb amplifies the potential of Tavern Scoundrel’s coin-flipping by enhancing the odds of a beneficial outcome, thus accelerating the accrual of Treasure tokens. Each of these cards uses the luck of the flip in different ways, but Tavern Scoundrel holds a unique appeal with its resource-generating capability.

Chance Encounter - MTG Card versions
Stitch in Time - MTG Card versions
Krark's Thumb - MTG Card versions
Chance Encounter - MTG Card versions
Stitch in Time - MTG Card versions
Krark's Thumb - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tavern Scoundrel by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tavern Scoundrel may not directly let you draw cards, but its ability to potentially duplicate your Treasures or other permanents on winning a coin flip is a powerful mechanic to get ahead of your opponents. It can shift the balance by maximizing the value of each successful flip, eventually leading to a substantial card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This clever rogue excels in resource acceleration by generating additional Treasure tokens, which can be an incredible asset for ramping up your mana pool. This facilitates playing high-cost cards sooner than expected, giving you a significant edge over your adversaries.

Instant Speed: While the Tavern Scoundrel itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the Treasures it creates can be sacrificed for mana at any time. This flexibility allows you to stay versatile and reactive during the game, ensuring that you can adapt to sudden changes on the battlefield without missing a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tavern Scoundrel requires you to gamble a resource, either a coin flip or an advantageous board position. If the bet is lost, the card’s effect yields no benefit, potentially setting you back.

Specific Mana Cost: Tavern Scoundrel demands a precise blend of mana—one generic and one black—to cast. This requirement may not align seamlessly with all deck strategies, particularly those that aren’t centered around black mana or multicolor flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Two mana for a 1/1 creature can be a steep investment, especially when other two-drop creatures in MTG might provide more immediate board presence or have intrinsic abilities that influence the game right away.


Reasons to Include Tavern Scoundrel in Your Collection

Versatility: Tavern Scoundrel offers a level of adaptability that can be a boon to various deck builds. It supports strategies that hinge on coin flipping, adding an element of chance that can turn the tides of a game in your favor with the right build.

Combo Potential: With the ability to produce two Treasure tokens on a winning coin flip, Tavern Scoundrel pairs well with cards that utilize Treasure for quick mana boosts or other synergistic effects, thereby enabling explosive combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where resource generation can give players the upper hand, Tavern Scoundrel’s cost-effectiveness and its potential to multiply assets quickly could be an under-the-radar advantage in both casual and competitive circles.


How to beat

Tavern Scoundrel is an interesting rogue in the world of MTG, offering a gambler’s delight with its coin-flipping mechanism. However, despite its potential to double your mana through unlucky flips for your opponent, toppling this mischievous character is not as tough as it might seem at first glance. To outmaneuver Tavern Scoundrel, consider employing instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt coin-flipping antics before they yield dividends. Removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly effective, snatching the Scoundrel off the board before your opponent can take advantage of its coin-based abilities.

Additionally, remember that Tavern Scoundrel’s strength lies in chance, so utilize tactics that minimize randomness in the game. Prioritize consistent, reliable strategies over those that rely on variance. Cards that prevent the opponent from playing creatures at all, such as Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can also be quite effective against a deck leaning on the Tavern Scoundrel’s abilities. And ultimately, when facing the Scoundrel, stay patient and hold interaction up—swiftly dealing with it after a crucial gamble can swing the odds in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhance your MTG gameplay with the fascinating abilities of Tavern Scoundrel. This card transforms the thrill of a coin flip into a potential treasure trove, offering strategic depth and a unique flavor to your matches. Ideal for those who love a bit of risk, Tavern Scoundrel can dramatically escalate your resource game and set the stage for unexpected comebacks. Whether you’re intrigued by its competitive potential or simply enamored with its coin-flipping charm, incorporating this rogue into your collection could reap rewards beyond measure. Dive deeper with us and unveil the secrets to harnessing the true power of Tavern Scoundrel in your deck arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tavern Scoundrel MTG card by a specific set like The List and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Tavern Scoundrel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tavern Scoundrel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Cynthia Sheppard.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-09-26The ListPLST MH2-1442015NormalBlackCynthia Sheppard
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 1442015NormalBlackCynthia Sheppard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tavern Scoundrel has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal