Research Thief
Research Thief Price Summary
As of Jul 28, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Research Thief is $1.60 (NEC #16), and the most expensive is $1.96 (NEC #53, Extended Art). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $1.60, down 0.6% over 7 days, up 3.9% over 30 days, down 4.8% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $2.15 (2026).
Research Thief Printings & Prices
Research Thief has 2 tracked printings across 1 sets, in nonfoil finishes, including extended art treatments.
Sell Research Thief: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $0.80 cash for NEC #53; the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 65% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Kingdom | NEC #53 | Nonfoil | $0.80 | $2.29 | 65% |
| Card Kingdom | NEC #16 | Nonfoil | $0.80 | $2.29 | 65% |
| CoolStuffInc | NEC #53 | Nonfoil | $0.50 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | NEC #16 | Nonfoil | $0.50 | — | — |
Research Thief Rules Text & Legality
Flash
Flying
Whenever an artifact creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Research Thief is legal in Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern and Pauper.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Research Thief has been reprinted 2 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEC #53 | 2022-02-18 | Rare | Extended Art |
| NEC #16 | 2022-02-18 | Rare | Standard |
NEC #53 Research Thief in Commander
Research Thief is the #4,595 most-played card on EDHREC, down 66 places over the last 30 days.
Research Thief FAQ
How much is Research Thief worth?
Research Thief is worth about $1.60 for its cheapest playable printing as of Jul 28, 2026. Prices range from $1.60 to $1.96 across 2 tracked printings.
Is Research Thief legal in Commander?
Yes — Research Thief is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Legacy.
Has Research Thief been reprinted?
Yes — Research Thief has been reprinted 2 times, with 2 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Research Thief cheap?
Research Thief trades at about $1.60 — 2 reprints keep supply plentiful.