Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Legendary Creature — Human Cleric |
Abilities | First strike,Haste,Unleash |
Released | 2013-05-03 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Dragon's Maze |
Set code | DGM |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 3 |
Number | 69 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Aleksi Briclot |
Text of card
First strike, haste Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.) Each other creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has haste.
Cards like Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch
Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch stands out in the compendium of MTG creatures, especially among those that lead the charge in an aggressive strategy. Akin to other formidable commanders like Olivia, Mobilized for War, Exava provides value in haste-enabling mechanics. Olivia also permits creatures to enter the battlefield with haste, but she further allows the option to gain a +1/+1 counter at the small price of discarding a card, whereas Exava grants haste to any creature with a +1/+1 counter already on it without additional cost.
Looking at counterparts that synergize with +1/+1 counters, Judith, the Scourge Diva comes to mind. While she does not provide haste, her ability to deal damage upon the death of non-token creatures provides a different kind of reactive threat. Then consider Flayer of the Hatebound, offering direct damage to opponents whenever a creature with a +1/+1 counter lands from the graveyard, amplifying the aggression in a more post-reanimation strategy – a different approach from Exava’s battlefield-oriented haste tactics.
Ultimately, Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch occupies a specific niche. She combines haste with +1/+1 counter synergy, providing immediate board impact, and promoting a strategy where creatures not only hit the ground running but also potentially grow stronger, making her a unique choice for players fostering a fast-paced, counter-heavy game.
Cards similar to Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch allows you to make strategic gameplay advancements without sacrificing card economy. Though she doesn’t provide direct card draw, her built-in haste and the ability to unleash other creatures can apply immediate pressure on the opponent, forcing them to respond and potentially leading to advantageous trades that benefit your hand and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: In a deck built to optimize Exava’s abilities, she bolsters your resource acceleration through the synergy with +1/+1 counters. By enabling your other creatures with +1/+1 counters to attack as soon as they hit the battlefield, Exava can turn the tide by overwhelming opponents with accelerated and unexpected aggression.
Instant Speed: While Exava herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her ability to give other creatures with +1/+1 counters haste means you can capitalize on instant speed counter placement spells. This dynamic allows you to swiftly adapt during your turn for surprise attacks, making her a threat that demands an immediate answer from opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For deck strategies that conserve hand size or rely on specific cards, the unleash ability of Exava Rakdos Blood Witch can be a double-edged sword. While you can opt not to use it, doing so greatly diminishes the card’s potential in the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement of one black and one red mana plus two generic mana, Exava demands a dedicated mana base. This can potentially restrict her inclusion to exclusively Rakdos or multicolor decks that can reliably produce both colors, decreasing her versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana may not seem steep, but in fast-paced formats or aggressive Rakdos builds, it’s essential to maximize impact per mana spent. Therefore, Exava’s cost juxtaposed with other cards offering immediate board impact or cheaper creatures that fit the aggressive curve can make her less favorable.
Reasons to Include Exava Rakdos Blood Witch in Your Collection
Versatility: Exava Rakdos Blood Witch offers a robust presence on the battlefield that can swiftly adapt to various deck builds. Her ability to grant haste to other creatures with +1/+1 counters makes her a valuable asset for aggressive strategies keen on delivering swift blows.
Combo Potential: Exava synergizes well with decks focused around +1/+1 counters. Utilizing her in tandem with cards that proliferate or add counters can lead to powerful, game-altering plays, accelerating your board’s threat level significantly.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Exava’s dominance is undeniable. Her capacity to immediately pressure your opponent with hasty, enhanced creatures can outpace many control decks, securing her status as a formidable threat in the right environment.
How to Beat
Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch, represents a combination of aggression and synergy for creature-focused strategies in MTG. She is recognized for her ability to grant ‘haste’ to other creatures with +1/+1 counters and for being a formidable figure herself. This makes her a potent force on the battlefield, especially when she empowers a board filled with unleashed creatures. Nevertheless, there are effective strategies to outmaneuver her impact.
One straightforward method is to utilize removal spells that can handle Exava before she can affect the board state. Instant speed spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade allow you to respond before the combat phase, thereby neutralizing her hasty advantage. Counterspells also serve as a preemptive measure to keep her off the battlefield entirely. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, removing Exava along with her legion. It’s also beneficial to block or handle creatures with +1/+1 counters since Exava’s influence diminishes significantly without them.
Given these tactics, facing down Exava requires both preparation and a willingness to act decisively. Control the pace of the game, maintain resources for key removal, and you can overcome the mayhem that Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch aims to unleash on the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch exemplifies strategic depth and dynamism in MTG. Harness her abilities to capitalize on haste and +1/+1 counter synergies, navigating through decks that thrive on ceaseless aggression. Understanding her strengths and limitations is vital for optimizing your strategies, whether you’re at the heart of a fierce battle or meticulously assembling your next invincible deck. Her unique blend of power and pace can turn the tides of any match in your favor. Challenge the meta and infuse your collection with Exava’s potency. Embrace the chaos of Rakdos and let loose the full potential of your plays. Learn more with us and command the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch 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 Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2013-04-15 | A creature with unleash can’t block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability. |
2013-04-15 | Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that’s already blocking won’t remove it from combat. It will continue to block. |
2013-04-15 | The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from. |
2013-04-15 | You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it’s entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example. |