Rakdos Augermage MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Abilities	First strike
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	127
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Key Takeaways

Rakdos Augermage’s discard ability grants a strategic edge, disruptively managing opponents’ hands at instant speed.
Mana specificity and high cost make it less versatile but significant in certain MTG deck strategies.
Its uniqueness and synergy offer distinct advantages in control and resource denial deck themes.

Text of card

First strike : Reveal your hand and discard a card of target opponent's choice. Then that player reveals his or her hand and discards a card of your choice. Play this ability only any time you could play a sorcery.

"Great minds bleed alike."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rakdos Augermage’s ability to forcibly discard cards can disrupt your opponent’s hand while potentially offering you card quality advantage through the selection process.

Resource Acceleration: While not a typical accelerator, the discarding effect of Rakdos Augermage can indirectly expedite your strategy by removing key pieces from your opponent’s resources, potentially hastening their defeat.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Rakdos Augermage’s activated ability being used at instant speed provides a tactical edge, allowing you to respond during your opponent’s turn and adapt to their actions on the fly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rakdos Augermage challenges players by necessitating the discard of another card to activate its ability. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running low, forcing tough decisions that could compromise your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirements for Rakdos Augermage involve both black and red mana, making it a specialized fit for only those decks that can reliably provide both types of mana. This limits the card’s versatility across the diverse array of MTG deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one of each black and red, this card sits at a higher end for creatures with utility abilities. Given that there are alternative creatures and spells that provide similar or superior effects at a lower mana investment, the Augermage’s cost-effectiveness is a point of contention among discerning players.

Reasons to Include Rakdos Augermage in Your Collection

Versatility: Rakdos Augermage offers adaptability in deck building. Its ability to force a discard when tapping two untapped creatures you control can be aligned with various strategies, particularly those revolving around resource denial and control-based tactics.

Combo Potential: Utilizing Rakdos Augermage’s discard ability can work wonders in tandem with cards that capitalize on an opponent’s graveyard or benefit from forced discards, setting up for potent combinations and synergy within certain deck archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: Given an environment where hand-size and card advantage play critical roles, Rakdos Augermage shines by disrupting opponents’ plans and providing you with an edge. This strategic relevance makes it a valuable inclusion for players looking to navigate a meta full of control and combo decks.

How to beat

Rakdos Augermage establishes itself as a notable player on the battlefield with its ability to influence hands. Facing this card, one must be smart about resource management. A strategic approach is to deplete your hand of less crucial cards before the Augermage activates its ability. This minimizes the impact on your game plan.

Instant-speed removal spells are key, as they offer a chance to deal with the Augermage before it can wreak havoc. Holding onto a Lightning Bolt or a Path to Exile can ensure the quick removal of the Augermage, preserving the integrity of your hand. Additionally, cards that grant hexproof to your hand, or those that can quickly replenish your resources, like the famed Wheel of Fortune or Echo of Eons, can significantly dilute the Augermage’s disruptive power.

The essence of overcoming Rakdos Augermage is in the timing and selection of spells. Outmaneuvering your opponent by making your less valuable cards a target for the Augermage’s ability, or completely shielding your hand from its influence, are sound tactics. Adaptability and tactical pacing can turn the tides against the Augermage and secure your control over the game’s flow.

Cards like Rakdos Augermage

Rakdos Augermage stands as a unique fixture in the landscape of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares a thematic kinship with cards like Cunning Lethemancer, which also harnesses the power of forced discard. However, Rakdos Augermage offers a more controlled discard method confined to its ‘hellbent’ ability, allowing a player to have an element of strategy in discarding cards.

Another relative in this category is Sire Of Insanity. While Rakdos Augermage allows targeted discard, Sire Of Insanity applies a broader approach, compelling a total hand discard from each player at the end of turn. This can potentially disrupt opponents more significantly but lacks the precision of Rakdos Augermage’s targeted discard. Hypnotic Specter also enters the discourse with its hit-and-discard ability, a staple effect in black decks, yet it comes without the dual-color investment and direct strategy influence.

In discerning the effectiveness of discard-centric cards in players’ decks, Rakdos Augermage can indeed find its niche. Its blend of targeted discard and potential for direct damage makes it a card worth considering in the comparison to its counterparts, striking a balance between strategy enhancement and disruption.

Cards similar to Rakdos Augermage by color, type and mana cost

Vial Smasher the Fierce - MTG Card versions

Lyzolda, the Blood Witch - MTG Card versions

Xantcha, Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakdos Augermage MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Rakdos Augermage and other MTG cards: