Throat Slitter MTG Card


Throat Slitter provides card advantage by eliminating creatures without depleting your own hand. Ninjutsu allows for surprise tactics and flexibility, making it valuable for strategic play. High mana cost and specific color requirements limit its use in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Rat Ninja
Abilities Ninjutsu
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card into play from your hand tapped and attacking.) Whenever Throat Slitter deals combat damage to a player, destroy target nonblack creature that player controls.


Cards like Throat Slitter

Throat Slitter is a unique card in MTG, offering a blend of creature utility and removal properties. It echoes the abilities of Nekrataal, another creature that destroys a target nonartifact, nonblack creature upon entering the battlefield. However, Throat Slitter requires ninjutsu to trigger its removal effect, adding an element of surprise and requiring a more strategic setup.

Shriekmaw is also in the same realm, known for its evasion and terror effect. While it can also destroy a nonartifact, nonblack creature, Shriekmaw can be evoked for a one-time effect at a lower cost. This makes Shriekmaw a versatile option for immediate impact, as opposed to Throat Slitter’s conditional but reusable removal ability through ninjutsu.

The ninjutsu mechanic inherently sets Throat Slitter apart from other creature-based removal cards, allowing for reusability and combat tricks. When considering similar MTG cards, Throat Slitter fits snugly into decks that favor sneaky tactics and value recurrence, as opposed to the straightforward destructiveness of its counterparts.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Throat Slitter by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
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Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Throat Slitter can essentially remove a creature from the game without spending an additional card, keeping your hand robust while depleting an opponent’s board presence.

Resource Acceleration: As a Ninja, Throat Slitter benefits from synergies that can accelerate resources. Often used in conjunction with cards that return it to your hand, it can be repeatedly recast using Ninjutsu for sustained board control.

Instant Speed: The utilization of Ninjutsu enables Throat Slitter to be deployed at instant speed, allowing for surprise attacks and leaving mana available for other critical responses during your opponents’ turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Throat Slitter, a player’s strategy may be hindered by the need to discard another card, leading to potentially unfavorable shifts in hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Throat Slitter demands a precise mana combination to cast, which can be challenging in decks that don’t primarily focus on black mana or lack mana fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Throat Slitter might be overshadowed by lower-cost alternatives that accomplish similar board impacts without such a significant mana investment.


Reasons to Include Throat Slitter in Your Collection

Versatility: Throat Slitter offers a unique advantage as it can be a key removal card in any Ninja-themed or creature-focused deck. Its ability to dispatch opponents’ creatures upon dealing combat damage makes it flexible for various strategies.

Combo Potential: Utilizing Throat Slitter in combination with ways to bounce it back to your hand, or with cards that allow you to deal direct combat damage, can elevate your control over the battlefield while thinning out your opponent’s defenses.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the importance of creature-based strategies in many metas, Throat Slitter can be highly relevant. Its capacity to eliminate key threats on the board without having to invest in additional removal spells makes it a strategic inclusion in numerous configurations.


How to beat

Overcoming a card like Throat Slitter in MTG requires savvy planning and strategic play. This ninja card stealthily bypasses defenses and employs its ability to destroy a target creature when it deals combat damage to a player. Key to countering this is to prevent it from being unblocked, as it leverages Ninjutsu – a mechanic that allows it to slip onto the battlefield when another creature is unblocked.

One effective strategy is to maintain a well-fortified line of defense, ensuring you have enough creatures to block incoming attacks. Consider cards that create creature tokens or those that have vigilance, as they remain ready to defend even after attacking. Spot removal spells are also valuable, as they can eliminate Throat Slitter before the Ninjutsu ability is activated. Lastly, cards that restrict or penalize creatures from attacking can keep the Throat Slitter at bay, protecting your creatures from its deadly ability.

Ultimately, understanding the mechanics at play with Throat Slitter and preparing your deck to counter unblockable creatures and Ninjutsu tactics are vital for maintaining an edge in the game. Anticipate, fortify, and act decisively to ensure Throat Slitter doesn’t cut your game short.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG’s intricate strategies often hinge on optimizing your deck with versatile, synergy-driven cards like Throat Slitter. Its ability to seamlessly integrate into Ninja-themed or resource-control decks can make a noticeable difference in gameplay. While considering its tactical benefits and limitations, you might uncover new strategies to enhance your MTG experience. Ready to dive deeper into deck-building techniques and further explore the potential of Throat Slitter in your arsenal? Visit us and unlock innovative ways to outmaneuver opponents, ensuring your next duel is a display of mastery and cunning.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Throat Slitter MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Salvat 2005, 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 Throat Slitter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Throat Slitter Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-02-04Betrayers of KamigawaBOK 882003NormalBlackPaolo Parente
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E32003NormalWhitePaolo Parente
32005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E22003NormalWhitePaolo Parente
42012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 372003NormalBlackPaolo Parente
52016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 372015NormalBlackPaolo Parente
62020-09-26The ListPLST BOK-882003NormalBlackPaolo Parente

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Throat Slitter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal