Basilica Stalker — Silent Shadow of Karlov
Basilica Stalker slides into play as a sturdy flying threat that rewards careful attacking and tempo. A three four flier for six mana that trades life gain for card selection, it turns combat success into incremental advantage. When it connects, you gain one life and surveil one which lets you sculpt the top of your deck while slowly stabilizing against aggressive starts. The printed interaction is straightforward and reliable in control shells that want a flying body with a recurring information edge.
There is a tactical angle to the card's disguise ability that fits Karlov Manor's mystery theme. You can cast it face down as a budget two two with ward two and later pay its disguise cost to flip it into a three four flier that provides life and card filtering the moment it deals combat damage. That makes it a candidate for deceptive plays and for decks that push through a surprise attacker after building up mana. Practical, playable, and flavorful for Vampire and black midrange lists.
Card Details:
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Mana Cost – {5}{B}
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Card Type – Creature
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Subtypes – Vampire Detective
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Card Text / Rules Text (Printed) – Flying. Whenever Basilica Stalker deals combat damage to a player, you gain 1 life and surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.) Disguise 4{B} (You may cast this card face down for 3 as a 2/2 creature with ward 2. Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.)
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Power / Toughness – 3/4
