Ripscale Predator MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Menace
Power 6
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Ripscale Predator indirectly contributes to card advantage by necessitating multiple answers.
  2. Demands instant-speed responses, potentially altering opponent’s tempo and strategy.
  3. Six mana cost is hefty but justifiable for its significant battlefield impact and pressure.

Text of card

Ripscale Predator can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.

As Ravnica's wilds expanded, even advocates for nature had to confront fiercer natural threats.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Ripscale Predator itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its significant power level can help dictate the flow of the game, often forcing the opponent to use multiple cards to handle it. By effectively dealing with more than one of an opponent’s cards, Ripscale Predator can indirectly contribute to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly a tool for resource acceleration, Ripscale Predator’s mere presence on the board can deter opponents from casting spells or using abilities that cost valuable resources, ultimately ensuring your own resources can be diverted to further develop your board or hand.

Instant Speed: Ripscale Predator operates at sorcery speed, but this behemoth demands instant-speed answers from opponents. In order to avoid devastating damage or being outmaneuvered, opponents must think ahead and often keep mana available, potentially slowing down their own strategy and serving as a substantial tempo swing in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Ripscale Predator requiring no discard for its standard play, this isn’t a direct con. However, strategies requiring card advantage might find this a lost opportunity to turn a discard into an asset.

Specific Mana Cost: Ripscale Predator’s mana cost necessitates a heavy commitment with red mana, making it a challenging fit in multicolored decks that rely on a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana, Ripscale Predator is costly, potentially slowing down the pace of your game as you wait to gather the necessary resources to summon this creature to the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Ripscale Predator in Your Collection

Versatility: Ripscale Predator, with its ability to be unblockable by smaller creatures, serves as a powerful addition to decks that aim to dominate the battlefield with sizable creatures. Its robustness ensures it remains relevant in many game situations.

Combo Potential: This card is a compelling piece in strategies focused on dealing damage through creatures. It pairs well with cards that increase power or provide buffs, creating opportunities for deadly combos that can help secure victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with decks that play lots of smaller creatures, Ripscale Predator stands out by forcing opponents to have larger blockers or face significant damage, making it a persistent threat and a worthwhile inclusion in your lineup.


How to beat

Ripscale Predator presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield with its imposing presence and potent abilities. This six-mana red creature card distinguishes itself through an array of strategic advantages, highlighted by its 6/5 stats and the inability of your opponents to block it with more than one creature.

To emerge victorious against this behemoth, players should consider a multi-faceted approach. Utilize removal spells capable of targeting and eliminating hefty creatures, such as Murder or Path to Exile. It might also be wise to strengthen your defenses with creatures that boast higher toughness, which can withstand Ripscale Predator’s attack and survive to tell the tale. Moreover, employing control elements to dictate the flow of combat, such as tapping the creature before it can declare an attack, demonstrates a sound tactical maneuver. Ensnaring Bridge is another excellent card, limiting the Predator’s ability to attack and providing a shrewd counter-strategy.

In brief, while Ripscale Predator can dominate combat phases, astute players can circumvent this aggression through calculated removal, strategic creature deployment, and clever board control.


Cards like Ripscale Predator

Ripscale Predator stands as an imposing creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, akin to other formidable beasts such as Shivan Dragon. Both creatures share the intimidating presence on the board, with Ripscale Predator’s unblockability by smaller creatures making it a persistent threat. In contrast, Shivan Dragon boasts flying and the potential for power increase, offering a different strategic advantage.

Comparatively, Ripscale Predator also echoes the predatory essence of cards like Ghor-Clan Rampager. Although the Rampager can’t naturally evade blockers, it compensates with the ability to boost other creatures and trample through defenses. This flexibility can be crucial in battle, serving a dual purpose as both a creature and a combat trick.

The balance of power, cost, and utility weigh heavily in evaluating creature cards in Magic. While Ripscale Predator may not have the agile versatility of Shivan Dragon or the combat adaptability of Ghor-Clan Rampager, its resilience against smaller defenders makes it a solid choice for players looking to maintain a threatening board presence.

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Ghor-Clan Rampager - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Ghor-Clan Rampager - Gatecrash (GTC)

Cards similar to Ripscale Predator by color, type and mana cost

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Akki - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firestorm Phoenix - Legends (LEG)
Crater Hellion - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Callous Giant - Invasion (INV)
Halam Djinn - Invasion (INV)
Bloodshot Cyclops - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Worldgorger Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Two-Headed Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Iron-Barb Hellion - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ryusei, the Falling Star - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Patron of the Akki - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ronin Cavekeeper - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Oni of Wild Places - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Thundermare - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pardic Dragon - Time Spiral (TSP)
Tectonic Fiend - Time Spiral (TSP)
Etali, Primal Storm - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Sunrise Sovereign - Lorwyn (LRW)
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ripscale Predator MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Core Set 2020, 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 Ripscale Predator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ripscale Predator Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1032003normalblackVolkan Baǵa
22019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 1572015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1962015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5892015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
52024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1462015normalblackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ripscale Predator has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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