Masked Bandits is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Vigilance Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.), Exile this card from your hand: Target land gains "
: Add
,
, or
" until this card is cast from exile. You may cast this card for as long as it remains exiled.
Complete guide
Masked Bandits is a versatile Raccoon Rogue from the Streets of New Capenna that offers both a massive board presence and early-game color fixing. This creature combines the keyword powers of Vigilance and Menace with a unique exile-based ramp ability that helps you cast it later.
A Multitalented Rogue
Masked Bandits features two powerful keywords: Vigilance, which allows it to attack without tapping, and Menace, which prevents it from being blocked by fewer than two creatures. Its most unique feature is the activated ability that functions while it is in your hand, allowing you to exile it to turn any land into a tri-color mana source.
Exiling for Mana
When you pay two generic mana and exile Masked Bandits from your hand, you target a land. That land gains the ability to tap for Black, Red, or Green mana. Crucially, this effect lasts until you cast Masked Bandits from exile. You can use the mana generated by that land to help pay the mana cost of the Bandits themselves.
Timing and State Changes
Because the ability targets a land, it can be responded to by opponents. However, once it resolves, the land keeps the ability even if the land's name changes or if Masked Bandits is moved from exile by another effect (like a Processor or a Displace effect). If Masked Bandits leaves exile without being cast, the land keeps the mana-generating ability indefinitely.
When to Play Masked Bandits
Early in the game, Masked Bandits should be used to fix your mana if you are missing one of your primary colors. In the late game, it serves as an efficient threat that can attack and stay up for defense, requiring your opponent to commit at least two blockers to stop it.
Interaction examples
Gray Merchant of AsphodelIf you find yourself short on Black mana to cast Gray Merchant of Asphodel, you can pay two mana to exile Masked Bandits from your hand. Target a basic Forest or Mountain to grant it the ability to tap for Black mana. Once you have enough mana, casting Gray Merchant of Asphodel will count the Black mana symbol in its own cost toward your devotion, though Masked Bandits in exile does not contribute to devotion.
Syr Konrad, the GrimWhile Syr Konrad, the Grim is on the battlefield, he triggers when a creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere. If you use Syr Konrad's activated ability to mill yourself and Masked Bandits is put into the graveyard from your library, Konrad deals 1 damage to each opponent. Note that exiling Masked Bandits from your hand using its own ability does not trigger Konrad, as the card is moving to exile, not the graveyard.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Masked Bandits
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You may use the mana ability Masked Bandits grants to the land while casting Masked Bandits from exile.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If Masked Bandits is removed from exile without being cast, the land will continue to have this ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Masked Bandits
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.