Rakavolver MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Volver
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2001-06-04
Set symbol
Set name	Apocalypse
Set code	APC
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	68
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Card advantage through Rakavolver allows for a full hand and a progressing board state.
Resource acceleration is enhanced by Rakavolver’s flexibility in offensive and defensive roles.
Instant speed kicker abilities provide the upper hand with surprise tactics.

Text of card

Kicker o1o W and/or o U If you paid the o1o W kicker cost, Rakavolver comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it and has "Whenever Rakavolver deals damage, you gain that much life." If you paid the o U kicker cost, Rakavolver comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it and has flying.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rakavolver’s ability to offer multiple avenues for card draw not only bolsters your hand but also applies pressure by continually advancing your board state. The versatility in choosing how to enhance this creature means you can adapt to the needs of your deck and the challenges posed by your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With its potential to grant you life gain or pump itself up, Rakavolver can act as a dynamic resource for both defense and offense. This duality ensures that investing mana into Rakavolver can accelerate your resource allocation, providing you with the flexibility to either become an imposing threat or extend your staying power against adversary forces.

Instant Speed: Rakavolver’s kicker abilities can be activated at instant speed, allowing you to adapt on the fly to the ever-changing battlefield of MTG. This nimbleness provides the edge in surprise tactics and shields you with the power to react almost seamlessly to your opponent’s moves, all while maintaining the tempo of your own strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rakavolver calls for an additional discard of a card, potentially depleting your hand and reducing future play options. This can set you back when you need a variety of choices in later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s casting and ability costs necessitate both red and white mana which can burden deck-building flexibility. Not all MTG decks will accommodate such color specifics without compromising their mana base stability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base casting cost that is higher than some alternatives available, Rakavolver may not be the most efficient choice for an aggressive or swiftly-paced deck. There are creatures with lower casting costs that can provide similar or better value early on in the game.

Reasons to Include Rakavolver in Your Collection

Versatility: Rakavolver, as a card, stands out for its adaptability. It can seamlessly slot into a variety of colored deck themes thanks to its flexible mana cost and abilities that cater to different strategies requiring creature buffs or life gain.

Combo Potential: With the ability to gain flying or trample and to get even larger with more mana investment, Rakavolver can be a linchpin in combos, particularly in decks designed around +1/+1 counters or life total manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to adapt to game conditions and role in several combo plays, Rakavolver retains relevance in changing Metagames, especially in environments where creature-based strategies prevail.

How to beat

Rakavolver, a creature card in Magic: The Gathering, presents unique challenges with its ability to adapt to the battlefield by gaining different abilities based on the colors of mana used to cast it. With the potential for life gain or flying, it demands a strategic approach from anyone sitting across from it at the table.

To effectively counter Rakavolver, removal spells are key. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be particularly effective before the Rakavolver player invests additional mana to make it a larger threat. In addition, including cards that limit the effectiveness of abilities, such as Hushbringer or Cursed Totem, can negate the benefits Rakavolver gains from its kicker costs.

Controlling the game’s pace and keeping Rakavolver from becoming too versatile is essential. Board wipes also offer a clear answer, with Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God resetting the playing field before Rakavolver can establish its presence. Understanding the value of timing your answers and disrupting your opponent’s game plan will ensure you keep Rakavolver in check.

Cards like Rakavolver

Rakavolver stands out in the realm of creature cards with adaptability at its core. It shares its fundamental traits with a family of creatures known as ‘Volver,’ each offering two different kicker abilities to choose from during gameplay. One notable counterpart is Cetavolver, which, like Rakavolver, can gain either first strike or put a +1/+1 counter on itself for each mana spent on its kicker. However, Rakavolver’s potential for gaining flying and lifelink gives it a distinct edge in versatility and staying power compared to Cetavolver’s niche focus on countering blue spells.

Another similar card worth noting is Aquamorph Entity. While this card lacks the kicker ability, it brings a choice upon casting—becoming a 5/1 or 1/5 creature. Rakavolver’s ability to respond to the board state even after it’s played, providing either aerial defense or a lifegain strategy, is a flexible advantage that Aquamorph Entity cannot claim. Furthermore, Aquamorph Entity is locked into its role once it hits the board, unlike the dynamic changing capabilities Rakavolver boasts.

Overall, Rakavolver epitomizes strategic depth, allowing players to tailor their approach dynamically in MTG. It balances between an offensive threat and a defensive lifeline, marking its place as a versatile choice in creature cards. Its ability to adapt to ever-changing game conditions makes it a significant card to consider for decks that capitalize on flexibility and reactive play.

Cards similar to Rakavolver by color, type and mana cost

Vadrok, Apex of Thunder - MTG Card versions

Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest - MTG Card versions

Pramikon, Sky Rampart - MTG Card versions

Saint Traft and Rem Karolus - MTG Card versions

Leori, Sparktouched Hunter - MTG Card versions

Vadrok, Apex of Thunder - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)

Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest - Fate Reforged (FRF)

Pramikon, Sky Rampart - Commander 2019 (C19)

Saint Traft and Rem Karolus - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)

Leori, Sparktouched Hunter - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakavolver MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, 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 Rakavolver and other MTG cards: