Alley Grifters

Creature — Human Mercenary

Whenever Alley Grifters becomes blocked, defending player discards a card.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Archenemy	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Pauper Duel Commander	Legal
Pauper EDH	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Tiny Leaders	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (6)

DreadKhan on Clarification on Dead-Iron Sledge blocking …

1 year ago

I suspect it kills everything, I think this is an example of them trying to 'clean up text' and making it arguably more confusing. For example, take a look at https://scryfall.com/card/leg/87/abomination the Legends version was very clear about how it worked, but the updated wording is like Dead-Iron and muddies up the water in comparison. It's not the same as Alley Grifters, one that will only trigger once regardless of how many times it's blocked.

Hope this helps!

Rhadamanthus on None

3 years ago

It depends on exactly how the ability is written. Since Infiltration Lens says "becomes blocked by a creature", yes, it will trigger twice if the equipped creature gets blocked by 2 creatures. If we're talking about something that just says "becomes blocked" like Alley Grifters then no, that would only trigger once regardless of how many creatures blocked it.

If an effect from a spell or ability blocks something without using any creatures (Dazzling Beauty, Trap Runner, etc.) then "becomes blocked by a creature" abilities won't trigger but "becomes blocked" abilities will trigger.

Tzefick on Certainty

4 years ago

cmsrDPM To answer each of your points:

"1 I pretend WOTC will see this one day and care."

Why is that a parameter for the card creation? I mean, most card creation is based on a probability that the card might see print. At least that's what I think is the foundation for the Custom Cards subforum. I guess I just mean; isn't that a given?

"2 Wizards is very particular about white getting card advantage and why."

They are particular in not granting white straight card advantage, such as play spell; draw multiple cards or activate ability; draw card.

But it's not like white haven't gotten card advantage before (you mention Mentor of the Meek yourself and I can boot with Dawn of Hope .) It just mostly happens on a condition. This aura is pretty conditional, which is why I believe it could be printed stronger than what you suggested.

First of all it is an aura for creatures. You're already lining yourself up to get 2-for-1'ed, as is the pinnacle of weaknesses of auras.

Second of all it only triggers on declare blockers. Your opponent is in control of the accessibility of that card draw (unless you can provoke the condition or something else forces the opponent's hand). If you get to draw a card, that's because your opponent allowed you to. It is similar in nature to red's punisher-mechanic like Browbeat . Whenever you put the choice into your opponent's hands, it is always a worse effect.

"As I mentioned in the original there are some creatures that can block many things"

The wording on my suggestion is a singular trigger. "Whenever enchanted creature blocks or becomes blocked, draw a card." No matter how many creatures you block, there's only one trigger. If I had put "Whenever enchanted creature blocks a creature or becomes blocked by a creature", it would count multiple times.

See ruling on a card like Alley Grifters .

And as said previously; my wording enables creatures without power.

"4 I wanted to mirror Curiosity ."

But Curiosity has that ever-so-crucial lack of combat damage. Anyway, it's fair enough. You wanted to create something that was more safe. But that's where I personally deviate from your viewpoint. If I were to look at cards, I would rather that they be interesting; either in design/mechanic, power or flavor.

Not to be a naysayer, but I think this would be a bin-card, at least the original printing - the revised version by PlayswithFIRE is remarkably better but IMO still on the weaker side. Not that there's anything wrong with bin-cards, but I think R&D can cook up plenty of bin-cards all by themselves.

I'm more interested (personally) in chasing the challenge of a fair but powerful card design. I would rather create something that I think would be used if printed, rather than making sure it has a higher chance of being printed.

IAmTheWraith on It's raining men, HALLELUJAH!

5 years ago

Looks like Alley Grifters is breastfeeding someone lol

Dete on PDH(RB) - You wanna block? Choose Wisely

5 years ago

You have to choose the creature before the blockers are decleared, so having evasive creatures with haste will work better than trample, and maybe use creatures that if arent blocked will have some kind of effect or the other way araund.

Tormented Soul, Prickly Boggart, Mardu Skullhunter, Dread Warlock, Dauthi Horror, Alley Grifters, Chittering Rats, Liliana's Specter.

and probably add mass remuval and normal remuval.

Shrivel, Pestilence, Ashes to Ashes, Evincar's Justice, Cannibalize, Snuff Out, Crypt Rats.

sorry if all the cards i listed are black, im just more familiar with it.

Tjone781 on Xun Yu? I need help!

7 years ago

How about creatures that have "deals combat damage" effects. Like Ashling, the Extinguisher or "gets blocked" effects like Alley Grifters. Just trying to brainstorm here. Thornbite Staff might be useful too.