Spike Rogue MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spike
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	127
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Provides steady card advantage, reshaping hand resources to maintain gameplay momentum.
Demands specific mana, challenging deck diversity while accelerating resources.
Instant-speed abilities provide flexibility and strategic game turns.

Text of card

Spike Rogue comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Rogue: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from any creature you control: Put a +1/+1 counter on Spike Rogue.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spike Rogue comes with the capability to provide steady card advantage via its interaction with your graveyard and library. This strategic aspect keeps your hand replenished, ensuring you never run out of options to outmaneuver your opponent during the game.

Resource Acceleration: Utilizing Spike Rogue can lead to significant resource acceleration. By strategically manipulating the battlefield and graveyard, you’re able to optimize the usage of your resources, giving you the upper hand to cast more influential spells sooner than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The instant-speed nature of Spike Rogue’s abilities grants you the flexibility to make moves during your opponent’s turn. This dynamism allows for unexpected twists and can disrupt your adversary’s strategy, maintaining pressure and gaining you an advantage at crucial moments in a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players eager to cast Spike Rogue, it’s important to be aware of the mandatory discard. This additional cost can mean parting with a crucial card in hand, potentially affecting strategic plays later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Spike Rogue demands a precise combination of mana. With its blue and black mana requirements, it can become a challenge for decks that are not fine-tuned to accommodate such specificity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Spike Rogue boasts impactful abilities, its mana cost is on the higher side. This can be a limiting factor, especially when compared to other options that may be available for building board presence or gaining an advantage in the early to mid-game stages.

Reasons to Include Spike Rogue in Your Collection

Versatility: Spike Rogue offers tremendous flexibility for deck builders. Its ability to manipulate +1/+1 counters makes it a valuable asset in strategies centered around creatures and synergy with counters.

Combo Potential: This card opens up avenues for infinite combo possibilities when paired with cards that can duplicate or proliferate counters. The interplay between Spike Rogue and various engine pieces can lead to powerful and potentially game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies regularly appear in various formats, having Spike Rogue in your arsenal ensures you have a response to evolving decks. Its utility in altering the battlefield dynamics makes it a pertinent choice for competitive play.

How to beat

Spike Rogue is a unique creature card that presents a challenge to many MTG players. To effectively counter Spike Rogue, timing is key. Removing it through removal spells before its owner can utilize its abilities is one strategy. These abilities often involve manipulating +1/+1 counters which can become overwhelming if left unchecked. A well-timed removal, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can prevent the Rogue from becoming a formidable threat on the board.

Another tactic is to limit the resources for the Spike Rogue’s controller. Effects that restrict mana production or increase casting costs can hinder their game plan, effectively reducing the Rogue’s impact. Board wipes are also effective as they can eliminate the Rogue along with other bolstered creatures on the battlefield at once. This makes cards like Doomskar or Wrath of God potentially game-changing when facing a deck that hinges on the synergy of Spike Rogue.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Spike Rogue goes a long way in strategy formulation. With clever play and strategic countermeasures, MTG players can beat Spike Rogue and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Spike Rogue

Spike Rogue is a unique offering within the realm of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to other creature cards like Thalia’s Lieutenant, which similarly rewards players for developing a board presence. However, Spike Rogue has the distinct ability to manipulate +1/+1 counters, potentially triggering numerous effects or pumping other creatures you control.

Another comparable card is Arcbound Ravager, a MVP in artifact-centric decks. While it doesn’t share the exact functionality with Spike Rogue, both have the capacity to modify the power of creatures through +1/+1 counter distribution. Arcbound Ravager sacrifices other artifacts for permanent buffs, while Spike Rogue requires mana investment but offers reusable counter manipulation.

Examining the overall synergy and flexibility, Spike Rogue offers a distinctive edge in decks that thrive on counter mechanics. Its repeatable ability to manage counters can be a formidable engine in the right setup, while other similar cards might offer more immediate, but less versatile benefits.

Cards similar to Spike Rogue by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spike Rogue MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Spike Rogue and other MTG cards: