Hell-Bent Raider MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Human Barbarian |
Abilities | First strike,Haste |
Released | 2002-02-04 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Torment |
Set code | TOR |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Number | 101 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Mike Ploog |
Text of card
First strike, haste Discard a card at random from your hand: Hell-Bent Raider gains protection from white until end of turn.
He doesn't slow until his spear is weighted with corpses.
Cards like Hell-Bent Raider
Hell-Bent Raider is an aggressive creature card that brings a distinct dynamic to Magic: The Gathering battlefields. It draws parallels with other red creatures such as Goblin Heelcutter. Both cards hamper the opponent’s defenses, but Hell-Bent Raider takes a unique position with its first strike ability and the choice between gaining haste or the threat of discard with its hellbent mechanic. Goblin Heelcutter, however, temporarily removes a potential blocker without offering these additional choices.
Comparing with Alesha, Who Smiles at Death, another aggressive creature, we see a contrast in utility. Alesha can reanimate smaller creatures from the graveyard, thus potentially offering more long-term value. In contrast, Hell-Bent Raider provides immediate pressure and demands an answer from the opponent due to its on-board threats. Then there’s Keldon Marauders, which guarantees damage through its vanishing ability but lacks the sustain or the control over combat that Hell-Bent Raider provides.
Each of these creatures offers something unique for players looking to employ a red-centric, aggressive strategy in their games. Hell-Bent Raider stands out with its dual nature, providing flexibility and tactical advantages that can be crucial during the heat of battle.
Cards similar to Hell-Bent Raider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hell-Bent Raider facilitates card draw by enabling you to discard and potentially draw back into the action, keeping your hand refreshed and your options open.
Resource Acceleration: While the Hell-Bent Raider itself doesn’t produce additional mana or treasure, it effectively sifts through your deck at an aggressive pace, allowing you to access your resources more swiftly and keep the pressure up.
Instant Speed: Although Hell-Bent Raider operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the board creates immediate threats that require instant-speed responses from your adversaries, ensuring that your aggressive plays pay off promptly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Hell-Bent Raider requires a player to discard another card. This is a significant drawback if your hand is already depleted or if the cards you hold are crucial for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a mana cost that includes red mana. This requirement can restrict its inclusion in decks, especially those that aren’t focused on red mana or multi-colored setups that have a balanced mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher end for its abilities, this card can be less appealing compared to others. Players often look for lower-cost cards that deliver similar or better value to preserve mana for more impactful plays in the game.
Reasons to Include Hell-Bent Raider in Your Collection
Versatility: Hell-Bent Raider offers a robust suite of abilities, making it a solid choice for aggressive and midrange decks alike. Its capacity to discard cards also synergizes well with strategies that gain advantages from the graveyard.
Combo Potential: This card’s discard effect can be leveraged to strategically place key cards into your graveyard, setting the stage for powerful combos with reanimation or flashback abilities.
Meta-Relevance: Considering how prevalent graveyard interaction has become in the current meta, Hell-Bent Raider’s discard ability allows you to stay ahead by filling your graveyard with fuel for later spells or creature abilities.
How to beat
Hell-Bent Raider is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can be a real challenge on the battlefield with its first strike and discard abilities. When dealing with this red card, it’s essential to understand its strengths to efficiently navigate around it. One effective method is by using removal spells that can target creatures before they declare attackers, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. This pre-emptive strategy will prevent the first strike advantage from coming into play.
Another tactic is to utilize creatures that can block and survive the first strike, like those with high toughness or indestructible abilities. If Hell-Bent Raider’s discard ability becomes a threat, consider using cards with madness or graveyard synergy to turn a potential setback into an advantage for your own strategy. Cards with flash can also be valuable, as they allow you to keep mana open and respond more flexibly during your opponent’s turn.
Ultimately, understanding your deck and having the right answers prepped when Hell-Bent Raider hits the board can swing the game back in your favor. With careful planning and a well-constructed deck, overcoming Hell-Bent Raider is more than possible, it’s expected.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hell-Bent Raider MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Hell-Bent Raider and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hell-Bent Raider has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |