Daring Buccaneer MTG Card


Daring Buccaneer can quickly establish board presence as a cost-effective one-drop in red or pirate-themed decks. Requires careful strategy with its reveal condition that may either dictate pace or divulge plans prematurely. Despite mana cost criticisms, it remains a competitive choice for its early game pressure in aggressive decks.
Daring Buccaneer - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Pirate
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number98
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJason Rainville

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast Daring Buccaneer, reveal a Pirate card from your hand or pay .

No ancient lore ties the pirates of the Brazen Coalition to the Immortal Sun. But it's a powerful ancient artifact in a city of gold—what's not to covet?


Cards like Daring Buccaneer

Daring Buccaneer makes a splash in MTG’s pirate-themed strategies, much akin to other low-cost creatures that set sail to disrupt early game plays. A card such as Rigging Runner shares a similar cost advantage, occupying the battlefield early on. Yet, Daring Buccaneer has the upper hand with its conditional yet straightforward entrance: revealing a pirate to bypass additional costs, making it a formidable turn-one play in comparison.

Furthermore, Fanatical Firebrand treads nearby waters, boasting hasty aggression for one red mana point. Though it lacks Daring Buccaneer’s stronger stats, it compensates with its direct damage dealing ability. Kari Zev, Skyship Raider shines in a parallel light, featuring robustness and menace to challenge opponents’ defenses early on. However, she doesn’t have the same synergy with pirate-exclusive effects.

When evaluating the crew of one-mana red creatures, Daring Buccaneer stands out for pirate decks that capitalize on quick, synergistic plays. Its significant 2/2 presence after a simple reveal requirement gives it a solid footing amongst early game creatures, emphasizing its value in MTG’s aggressive red and pirate strategies.

Rigging Runner - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Kari Zev, Skyship Raider - MTG Card versions
Rigging Runner - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Kari Zev, Skyship Raider - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Daring Buccaneer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis TempoGrixis Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Daring Buccaneer in itself does not directly offer card draw, its low casting cost allows for more cards in hand to remain playable, helping maintain card presence on the board and in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Daring Buccaneer may not generate additional mana or Treasure tokens, but its efficient mana cost assists in curving out your plays more quickly, allowing you to deploy other threats or hold up mana for responses without falling behind in the early game.

Instant Speed: Although Daring Buccaneer is a creature card and not an instant, its advantage comes from the potential of blazing onto the battlefield as an aggressive one-drop, should you reveal a Pirate from your hand. This speed in deployment can catch opponents off guard and shift the early game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Daring Buccaneer asks you to reveal another Pirate card from your hand or pay additional mana, potentially revealing your strategy or taxing your resources early in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The Buccaneer’s cost demands a red mana, making it a less flexible choice for decks not heavily invested in red mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 2/2 creature for one mana can be a bargain, needing to fulfill the reveal condition or pay two additional mana makes the Buccaneer less attractive compared to other aggressive one-drops available in the format.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Daring Buccaneer comes as a cost-efficient creature that can easily slide into various red or pirate-themed decks. Its low casting cost opens up room for flexibility in your early game to establish board presence or to keep mana available for other plays.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with other pirates, enhancing tribal decks that capitalize on shared strategies and benefits. In particular, it pairs well with mechanics that activate upon a pirate entering the battlefield or when attacking with a crew of pirates.

Meta-Relevance: With the right build around, Daring Buccaneer can be a standout in specific metas that favor aggressive playstyles. Its ability to be cast for less mana under the right conditions makes it a relevant contender against control decks by pressuring them early on.


How to beat

Daring Buccaneer brings a fast pace to the battlefield in MTG, demanding quick answers from opponents. This aggressive one-drop creature leverages a low casting cost for an early advantage. However, like most early threats, there are strategies to mitigate its impact. Efficient removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Shock, can dispatch the Buccaneer before it deals significant damage. Moreover, blockers with high toughness present a wall that the Buccaneer cannot easily overcome.

Board control is crucial when facing cards like Daring Buccaneer. Prioritize preserving removal spells for more significant threats that may follow, as the Buccaneer often signifies a strategy teeming with aggressive creatures. Keep in mind that the Buccaneer is at its weakest when isolated, so refrain from overcommitting resources to deal with it. Instead, focus on stabilizing your board presence and outlasting the initial rush. By maintaining composure and applying these tactics, you’ll find that overcoming Daring Buccaneer and regaining control of the game is a manageable task.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Daring Buccaneer MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Daring Buccaneer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Daring Buccaneer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Daring Buccaneer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-01-19 If an effect refers to a “
-ubtype] spell” or “
-ubtype] card,” it refers only to a spell or card that has that subtype. For example, March of the Drowned is a card that benefits Pirates and features Pirates in its illustration, but it isn’t a Pirate card.