Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Pauper format is a competitive format where players construct decks using only common cards. This unique restriction fosters creativity and strategy, making choosing creatures particularly crucial. Here, we discuss the five best creatures to use in the Pauper format, highlighting their abilities, roles in the game, and why they stand out in this competitive landscape.
1. Delver of Secrets
Overview
Delver of Secrets is a blue creature that transforms into a 3/2 flying insectile aberration, Insectile Aberration, after revealing an instant or sorcery card at the beginning of your upkeep.
Key Features
- Mana Cost: 1 Blue
- Power/Toughness: 1/1 (transforms into 3/2)
- Abilities: Transforms into a flying creature
Why It’s Powerful
Delver of Secrets is a staple in blue tempo decks due to its potential to become a 3/2 flying creature on turn 2. This early transformation can put significant pressure on opponents, especially in a format where efficient removal can be scarce. Its low mana cost and high potential damage output make it a formidable threat.
2. Gurmag Angler
Overview
Gurmag Angler is a black creature known for its significant power and toughness, often brought into play for a reduced cost thanks to the delve mechanic.
Key Features
- Mana Cost: 6 Black
- Power/Toughness: 5/5
- Abilities: Delve (Each card you exile from your graveyard while casting this spell pays for 1)
Why It’s Powerful
Gurmag Angler leverages the graveyard to reduce its casting cost, often coming into play for just one or two mana. Its 5/5 body can dominate the battlefield, and it’s particularly effective in decks that fill the graveyard quickly, such as those using cantrips or discard spells. Its resilience to many common removal spells in Pauper makes it a reliable finisher.
3. Kor Skyfisher
Overview
Kor Skyfisher is a white creature that is both versatile and efficient, often used in various archetypes for its utility.
Key Features
- Mana Cost: 1 White, 1 Generic
- Power/Toughness: 2/3
- Abilities: Flying, return a permanent you control to its owner’s hand when it enters the battlefield
Why It’s Powerful
Kor Skyfisher’s ability to return a permanent to its owner’s hand is highly versatile, allowing for the reuse of enter-the-battlefield effects or saving a key permanent from removal. Its 2/3 flying body for two mana provides solid stats, making it both a defensive and offensive threat. This utility makes it a staple in many white-based decks.
4. Ninja of the Deep Hours
Overview
Ninja of the Deep Hours is a blue creature that can provide card advantage through its ninjutsu ability, making it a key component in tempo and control strategies.
Key Features
- Mana Cost: 2 Blue, 2 Generic
- Power/Toughness: 2/2
- Abilities: Ninjutsu (1 Blue, 1 Generic), draw a card when it deals combat damage to a player
Why It’s Powerful
The ninjutsu ability allows Ninja of the Deep Hours to be swapped in for an unblocked attacker, often at a reduced cost, and immediately draw a card upon dealing combat damage. This ability provides a consistent card advantage and can be a game-changer in maintaining pressure on the opponent. Its synergy with evasive creatures makes it a frequent choice in blue-based decks.
5. Mulldrifter
Overview
Mulldrifter is a blue creature known for its versatility and card-drawing ability, fitting well into various archetypes.
Key Features
- Mana Cost: 2 Blue, 3 Generic
- Power/Toughness: 2/2
- Abilities: Flying, evoke (2 Blue, 2 Generic), draw two cards when it enters the battlefield
Why It’s Powerful
Mulldrifter’s evoke ability allows it to be cast for its evoke cost to draw two cards, then sacrifice it. This flexibility makes it useful in both early and late-game situations. When cast normally, it provides a flying body and card advantage. Mulldrifter is often used in control and midrange decks due to its ability to refill the hand and provide a blocker or attacker when necessary.
Conclusion
In the Pauper format, the choice of creatures can significantly influence the outcome of a game. Delver of Secrets, Gurmag Angler, Kor Skyfisher, Ninja of the Deep Hours, and Mulldrifter each bring unique strengths and strategic advantages. Understanding and utilizing these creatures effectively can lead to greater success in Pauper tournaments and casual play alike.