Courageous Outrider MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 18
2023-03-21 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Scout |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Courageous Outrider enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal a Human card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
One silvery blast signaled that she wouldn't be arriving at Thraben alone.
Cards like Courageous Outrider
Courageous Outrider is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that stands out for its utility in human tribal decks. Comparable cards include Militia Bugler, which also filters through the deck to find creatures, albeit with some differences in power and deck interaction. While Courageous Outrider allows you to look at the top four cards and select a Human, Militia Bugler limits the search to creatures with power 2 or less but has the advantage of a slightly lower mana cost and vigilance.
Tireless Tracker offers another point of comparison. It doesn’t provide the immediate deck filtering but generates value over time through clue tokens as you play lands, potentially drawing multiple cards. While Courageous Outrider offers a one-time deck filter benefit upon entering the battlefield, Tireless Tracker can gain you incremental advantage as the game progresses.
In essence, the choice between these similar cards hinges on the desired synergy with other cards and the strategic emphasis on either immediate deck filtering or ongoing value generation in your Magic: The Gathering games.
Cards similar to Courageous Outrider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Courageous Outrider allows you to sift through your library for a Human creature card, effectively thinning your deck and setting you up for future plays. The ability to grab a specific type of creature directly from your library to your hand can put you ahead by ensuring you have the right creature for the evolving game state.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce additional mana, the Outrider’s ability to search for a Human ensures that you’re more likely to make land drops and cast creatures efficiently. By pulling a card from your library, you’re increasing the chances that your next draw will be a non-creature spell or land, further smoothing out your mana and play curves.
Instant Speed: Although the Courageous Outrider’s ability is not at instant speed, its effect when entering the battlefield can help simulate the surprise element of instant speed spells. By fetching the right human, you can set up unforeseen combos or responses for your following turns, keeping opponents unsure of your hand’s content and potential plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One major drawback of Courageous Outrider is that it requires you to have another Human card in hand to fully utilize its ability, which forces you to discard a valuable resource. This need to surrender a card can be detrimental during critical moments when maintaining a full grip is essential.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing three generic and one white mana, integrating Courageous Outrider into your deck mandates a committed investment in white mana. This requirement can limit deck-building flexibility, particularly in multicolor decks that might not consistently generate the required white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, Courageous Outrider is on the higher end of the curve for its ability to look for a Human card. Considering the mana investment, you might find other cards at this threshold that offer immediate board impact or a more potent ability, potentially making the Outrider less attractive in a highly competitive environment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Courageous Outrider is a welcome addition to any deck looking to enhance its creature-based strategies. Its ability to dig out Human creatures adds value in both casual play and more focused Human tribal decks.
Combo Potential: This card works well in synergy with other Humans, potentially unlocking chain reactions that can significantly swing the game in your favor. It’s also handy for retrieving key pieces from your deck to execute your winning combo.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the meta, having a reliable creature tutor like Courageous Outrider assures a degree of resilience against fast-paced and control decks alike. Being able to consistently get creatures onto the board can maintain your tempo and give you an edge.
How to beat Courageous Outrider
The Courageous Outrider is a card that can quickly tip the scales in a player’s favor in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a force to be reckoned with, particularly in decks that play a lot of humans. When it enters the battlefield, it allows you to look at the top four cards of your deck and put a human from among them into your hand, which is a solid advantage in terms of card selection and battlefield presence.
To effectively counteract the Outrider, consider cards that can exile it before its ability triggers, such as Path to Exile or the more recent Skyclave Apparition. Instant speed removals, such as Fatal Push or Heartless Act, also work wonders by removing it before it can affect the board state. Moreover, board wipes like Wrath of God prevent the Outrider from snowballing into an overwhelming human army. Remember to adjust your strategy according to the nature of your deck and the strengths of your opponent’s setup.
Understanding your enemy’s tactics and preparing your deck with versatile answers ensures you won’t get overrun by seemingly simple cards like the Courageous Outrider. In your next game, keep these strategies in mind to maintain control of the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Courageous Outrider MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Courageous Outrider 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 Courageous Outrider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Ryan Alexander Lee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Courageous Outrider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |