Riot Piker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Berserker
Abilities	First strike
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	37
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Christopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

Its aggressive design forces opponents to commit resources early, trading more to handle its presence.
Riot Piker is cost-effective, enabling a rapid deployment of other threats or support spells in a game.
While not operating at instant speed, this creature bolsters other instant-speed deck capabilities.

Text of card

First strike Riot Piker attacks each turn if able.

He doesn't care whether he's rioting about trade rights or just having a drunken brawl. He wakes up every morning eager to smash some heads.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Riot Piker might not directly generate card advantage, its aggressive stance puts pressure on your opponent, often forcing them to trade two-for-one to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: While Riot Piker isn’t a traditional resource accelerator, its low mana cost ensures you can deploy other threats or support spells alongside it quickly, effectively pacing the flow of your resources.

Instant Speed: Riot Piker’s ability doesn’t operate at instant speed, but this creature’s value lies in its ability to compliment instant speed removal or combat tricks in your deck, capitalizing on the fear of what else you could have in hand while it’s attacking.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Riot Piker demands that you discard a card to unleash its full potential. This precondition often puts players in a tight spot, especially when their hand is nearly empty or if every card is crucial for upcoming strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Riot Piker’s casting cost is confined to red mana. This specification necessitates a commitment to red mana sources within your deck, potentially obstructing its inclusion in multi-color decks that may not always have red mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with the abilities that Riot Piker offers, the mana cost may feel steep. In a game where speed and efficiency are paramount, there are alternative creatures and spells that could achieve similar or better results with less mana investment, boosting your board presence more effectively.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Riot Piker brings a dynamic play to any aggressive strategy, easily sliding into Red Deck Wins or other fast-paced decks looking to pressure opponents early in the game.

Combo Potential: With its built-in first strike, Riot Piker works well with combat tricks and power-boosting auras or equipment, setting the stage for highly effective and lethal combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors quick, decisive plays, Riot Piker can be a key card for taking the upper hand in the early game and maintaining pressure on slower, control-oriented decks.

How to beat

Riot Piker is a card that can quickly escalate the pressure in an MTG match with its built-in aggression. Being a creature with haste, Riot Piker doesn’t waste any time and can attack as soon as it hits the battlefield. It’s also equipped with an ability that forces it to attack each turn if able, which can be a double-edged sword for the player controlling it.

The key to handling Riot Piker lies in controlling the pace of the game. Considering its forced attack scenario, ensuring you have a stable board presence with creatures that can survive the initial attack or outright destroy it is vital. This can be achieved with cost-effective creatures with higher toughness or those with deathtouch, which will discourage your opponent from attacking or lead to an unfavorable trade for them. Removal spells are also useful, as they can take out Riot Piker before it has a chance to inflict any damage, preserving your life total.

Timely removal or a well-planned block can mitigate the threat posed by Riot Piker. It’s all about striking the right balance in your defending strategies, ensuring that the Riot Piker’s aggression is quickly quelled and turned into an advantage for you.

Cards like Riot Piker

In the high-stakes gameplay of Magic: The Gathering, Riot Piker stands out for its early aggressive playstyle. It shares the battlefield with cards like Goblin Glory Chaser, which also offers early game prowess. Both exhibit the common thread of swift damage potential, yet Riot Piker’s “must attack each turn if able” clause pushes the player to commit to an assertive stance, much like the Goblin Glory Chaser’s renown ability that encourages continuous engagement.

Comparing to another, Frenzied Goblin requires just one mana to play. Although it lacks the built-in attack requirement, you can pay an additional cost to ensure it’s unblockable. The Riot Piker, on the other hand, is ready to charge without extra cost, equipped with first strike, often guaranteeing it’ll deal combat damage ahead of standard creatures.

Considering these elements, Riot Piker is a meaningful contender among red deck warriors, especially for enthusiasts looking to implement a strategy that’s relentless from the get-go.

Cards similar to Riot Piker by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Riot Piker MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Riot Piker and other MTG cards: