Borderland Marauder MTG Card
2014-07-18 - Number 131
2016-04-08 - Number 11
2016-06-10 - Number 120
2017-11-17 - Number 119
2018-06-08 - Number 170
2020-07-17 - Number 300
2022-12-02 - Number 505
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Borderland Marauder attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
Though she is rightly feared, there are relatively few tales of her deeds in battle, for few survive her raids.
Cards like Borderland Marauder
Borderland Marauder holds its own among the vast array of aggressive creatures in MTG. When examining its role in red aggressive decks, we often see comparisons with other two-drop creatures like Keldon Marauders and Ash Zealot. Keldon Marauders presents a different angle of pressure with its entering and leaving the battlefield effects, guaranteeing damage but with a transient presence. In contrast, Borderland Marauder’s strength relies on sustained combat pressure, encouraging strategic attacks to maximize its damage output.
Ash Zealot, conversely, is a prime example of a similar cost card with haste and an additional first strike capability, which can offer immediate impactful plays, especially against decks filled with small creatures. Despite this, what makes Borderland Marauder stand out is its cost-effectiveness and the absence of strict color requirements, allowing greater flexibility in deck building around it. This ease of inclusion and the potential for consistent damage increase during attacks make it a compelling choice for players looking to bolster their combat strategy.
When considering two-drop options for a red deck, Borderland Marauder appeals to those favoring a straightforward, beefy attacker that can fit into various aggressive strategies without needing complex synergies or specific conditions to be effective.
Cards similar to Borderland Marauder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Borderland Marauder itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, it can be considered a form of card advantage through its potential to trade with multiple creatures due to its power increase during combat. This means it can potentially remove more than one of an opponent’s cards with just one of yours.
Resource Acceleration: Borderland Marauder is an efficient creature in terms of mana cost. Costing only two mana makes it an excellent choice for decks looking to quickly apply pressure. When played early, it can help speed up the pace of the game and put opponents on the back foot, effectively accelerating your resource impact on the game.
Instant Speed: Although this card does not operate at instant speed, its low mana cost allows players to keep mana available for other spells and actions. This provides an element of strategy, enabling players to deploy a threat while still responding to the opponent’s moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Borderland Marauder does not have a built-in discard requirement, it remains susceptible to an opponent’s discard effects. In environments where hand attack strategies are prevalent, holding onto this creature could make it a liability rather than an asset as you may be forced to discard other vital cards to protect it.
Specific Mana Cost: Borderland Marauder’s casting cost demands one red mana. This requirement could be restrictive in multi-colored decks that need a balanced mana base. It shines in mono-red aggro decks but might not fit seamlessly into more diverse or control-oriented strategies where the mana pool is meticulously tuned for a wider array of spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, the initial cost of two mana, including a colored mana requirement, might feel steep when compared to other creatures with similar or even more beneficial abilities. In a format where efficiency is key, the Borderland Marauder’s cost-effectiveness can be outclassed by lower cost creatures that offer immediate impact or have built-in abilities that provide long-term value.
Reasons to Include Borderland Marauder in Your Collection
Versatility: Borderland Marauder’s simple requirement of attacking to gain a power boost makes it an adaptable pick for various red-based aggressive decks. Its low casting cost fits smoothly into the curve, allowing for a fast-paced, pressure-adding playstyle.
Combo Potential: With the ability to significantly increase its damage output, this card pairs well with equipment or buffs that capitalize on its power increase, supporting explosive turns that can quickly diminish opponent life totals.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where fast aggro is key to outpace control or combo decks, Borderland Marauder shines as a cost-efficient threat that rewards players for maintaining constant aggression on the battlefield.
How to beat Borderland Marauder
Borderland Marauder is a warrior in the realm of MTG that can quickly become a notable force on the battlefield. Unlike other creatures that might offer a static power and toughness, the Marauder steps into an aggressive role whenever it attacks, bulking up its power to become a formidable attacker. While this attribute can make it a pesky adversary, the key to conquering it lies in timing and strategic removal.
The most straightforward way to deal with Borderland Marauder is through instant speed removal spells. Casting a removal spell before it declares an attack, ensures that it never gets the chance to benefit from its power-boosting ability. Removal options like Doom Blade or Lightning Bolt are great examples of efficient ways to neutralize it before it becomes a threat. It’s also worth noting that since Borderland Marauder’s toughness doesn’t increase, it stays vulnerable to damage-based removal, which is typically more accessible in many decks.
Moreover, chump blocking is another tactic to consider if removal isn’t readily available. Since the Marauder’s ability only triggers during attacks, you can utilize creatures with high toughness to absorb the attack or use tokens to buy time until you draw into your removal or a bigger creature to counter it. With strategic planning and the right cards, toppling this aggressive attacker becomes a manageable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Borderland Marauder MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Welcome Deck 2016, 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 Borderland Marauder and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Borderland Marauder Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Welcome Deck 2016 | W16 | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 3 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 120 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 4 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 119 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 5 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 170 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 6 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 300 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 7 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 505 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Borderland Marauder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |