A-Riveteers Initiate MTG Card

A-Riveteers Initiate - Streets of New Capenna

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Viashino Citizen
Released	2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set name	Streets of New Capenna
Set code	SNC
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	A-120
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

A-Riveteers Initiate offers card advantage and deck resilience in the face of creature removal.
Activation cost requires careful deck consideration for mana consistency and strategic discards.
Inclusion in MTG collections provides versatility and combo potential, enhancing meta relevancy.

Text of card

{B/G}: Riveteers Initiate gains deathtouch until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A-Riveteers Initiate helps maintain your hand resources by replacing itself upon death with another card, edging you towards card superiority on the board.

Resource Acceleration: This card can potentially ramp up your mana resources. When it perishes, A-Riveteers Initiate bestows you with a Treasure token, thereby offering an extra burst of mana for future turns.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of A-Riveteers Initiate’s triggered ability, which functions at instant speed, offers strategic advantages. This allows you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, triggering the effect at the most opportune moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A-Riveteers Initiate necessitates a card discard to activate its ability. This can be a strategic setback, particularly in gaming scenarios where your hand is already running thin. The trade-off could leave you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to recoup the sacrifice with equivalent value on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of this card includes both generic and red mana, which might not seamlessly fit into multicolored or non-red-centric decks. This requirement may hinder its versatility, thus confining it to a specific archetype or reducing its overall utility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initiate’s mana value may be considered steep for its initial performance upon hitting the field. When evaluating the crowded field of creatures at similar mana points, players might find that other options could provide immediate impact or stronger synergies within their deck’s strategy without the added cost of discarding.

Reasons to Include A-Riveteers Initiate in Your Collection

Versatility: A-Riveteers Initiate offers flexibility for various build styles. Its ability to thrive in aggressive strategies while also supporting sacrifice-centric decks makes it a diverse addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This card plays well with mechanics that capitalize on creature sacrifice for value or those that benefit from death triggers. Its combo potential in the right build can be a game-changer.

Meta-Relevance: Given its adaptability and synergy with popular mechanics, A-Riveteers Initiate holds its own in a shifting meta. Whether you’re engaging in fast-paced games or grinding out value, its relevance can fortify your deck against various opponents.

How to beat

A-Riveteers Initiate is a versatile creature card that can be a persistent threat on the board. With its ability to dodge conventional removal due to its escape mechanic, overcoming this card requires strategic maneuvering. To counteract A-Riveteers Initiate, players should consider exile-based removal options. Cards like Path to Exile or exile effects such as those found on certain Planeswalkers remove the threat permanently, bypassing the Initiate’s graveyard recursion altogether.

Timing also plays a crucial role. Pay close attention to your opponent’s graveyard. Act swiftly with graveyard hate cards, like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt, to prevent the Initiate from making a comeback. Fast-paced aggro decks that can outpace the setup for A-Riveteers Initiate’s return could suppress your opponent before they utilize the escape ability effectively.

Remember, while the Riveteers Initiate presents a sturdy challenge, its capabilities are not insurmountable. By leveraging exile tactics and maintaining graveyard control, you confront the resilience of A-Riveteers Initiate and hold the upper hand throughout your duel.

Cards like A-Riveteers Initiate

A Riveteers Initiate joins the ranks of Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of early-game creatures. When we delve into comparisons, we find Ember Hauler, which has a similar mana cost as A Riveteers Initiate and also offers a direct damage ability. Although Ember Hauler can deal damage to any target, it lacks the potential card draw mechanic granted by A Riveteers Initiate when it perishes.

Goblin Arsonist steps into the scene with a somewhat different approach. As a one-drop, it provides a more accessible damage output upon leaving the battlefield. The trade-off here is in the lower stats and the absence of card advantage, which A Riveteers Initiate can leverage to keep the hand fueled. Lastly, we have Falkenrath Noble, which not only gives you card draw but also life gains when creatures die, a higher cost but a broader impact on both the board and your resource pool.

Each of these cards carries its strengths, but A Riveteers Initiate distinguishes itself for players who appreciate resourcefulness and flexibility in their gameplay. It doesn’t just pave the way for early damage but also ensures you’re not falling back in card advantage as the match progresses.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase A-Riveteers Initiate MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the A-Riveteers Initiate and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where A-Riveteers Initiate has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal