Holga, Relentless Rager MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Barbarian |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Released | 2019-12-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Secret Lair Drop |
| Set code | SLD |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 1240 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yang Luo |
Key Takeaways
- Provides card advantage and potential board control by destroying creatures when attacking.
- Fuels aggressive strategies through ramping up mana during the combat phase.
- Demands carefully considered deck construction due to specific mana and discard requirements.
Text of card
Haste Holga, Relentless Rager must be blocked if able. Whenever Holga attacks, each creature you control attacking a player gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each creature that player controls.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Holga, Relentless Rager brings a dynamic edge to the battlefield with its ability to potentially demolish an opponent’s creature each time it’s declared as an attacker, keeping your hand flush with options while dwindling your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: This powerhouse can fuel your aggressive strategies not just with its formidable presence but also by ramping up your mana resources. By potentially dealing excess damage, it can lead to additional mana production, catapulting you ahead in the game.
Instant Speed: While Holga itself isn’t an instant, the ability to cause a significant swing during the combat phase at instant speed can be a game-changer. This level of flexibility ensures that you remain a constant threat, ready to unleash havoc at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Holga, Relentless Rager demands players to discard a card to activate its abilities. During gameplay, this can translate into a depletion of valuable hand resources, often causing a strategic setback especially when you are trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: For a deck to optimally utilize Holga, it must generate a particular combination of mana, specifically red. This requirement can restrict deck-building options and is less favorable for multicolored or non-red-based decks which might struggle to meet the mana demands consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment required to get Holga, Relentless Rager on the battlefield, it competes with other choices in the same mana slot. Players must weigh the benefits of including Holga against other powerful four-drop creatures or spells that might provide immediate board impact or value.
Reasons to Include Holga, Relentless Rager in Your Collection
Versatility: Holga, Relentless Rager introduces flexibility to a wide array of deck builds, thriving in aggressive strategies while also providing substantial support for midrange setups. Its ability to potentially clear multiple blockers or finish low-health opponents makes it a dynamic addition to any red deck.
Combo Potential: With Holga’s damage-dealing capabilities, it can activate enrage effects or other damage-based triggers within your deck. It synergizes well with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or dying, enabling powerful and unexpected combos.
Meta-Relevance: Holga, Relentless Rager is particularly impactful in a meta dense with creature-based decks. Its capacity to deal substantial damage allows players to maintain board control and pressure opponents, aligning perfectly with the demands of high-paced and creature-focused metagames.
How to beat
Confronting Holga, Relentless Rager on the battlefield can be an intimidating task for any MTG player. The key to defeating this formidable card lies in carefully timed removal. Since Holga can quickly escalate in power, it’s essential to have instant-speed removal like Murderous Rider or Heartless Act at the ready, ideally removing her before she can trigger her ability.
Countermagic should also not be underestimated in its power to quash Holga’s impact. Spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent her from entering the battlefield in the first place, keeping the game in your control. For those preferring a more pro-active approach, cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben increase the cost of Holga, making it harder for your opponent to cast her and giving you an upper hand.
Approaching the encounter with clever deck building and strategic gameplay will often neutralize Holga’s threats. Whether you’re using instant-speed interaction, countermagic or cost-increment effects, the goal is to prevent Holga from gaining traction. Handling her promptly and efficiently is the cornerstone to maintaining a strong defense and ultimately outmaneuvering your opponent in a game of MTG.
Cards like Holga, Relentless Rager
Holga, Relentless Rager steps into the arena of aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique set of abilities to command the battlefield. It can be compared to cards like Anax, Hardened in the Forge, which also benefits from an increase in power based on a specific condition. While Anax gains strength with your devotion to red, Holga offers a consistent battle advantage, engaging in combat turn after turn.
Holga’s relentless might is akin to Relentless Raptor, which also demands to attack or block each turn. However, Holga, with its higher cost, brings more to the fray with potentially higher damage output, demonstrating its key role in a strategic offensive line-up. Emberwilde Captain, another comparable card, also excels in aggressive strategies with its Menace ability but trades constant attacking for a role that becomes stronger in multiplayer games and politicking.
Assessing the individual strengths and tactical uses of these cards, Holga, Relentless Rager carves out its niche for players who favor untiring aggression and with a deck built around heavy hitters. Its relentless nature promises to be a formidable presence on the chessboard that is the battleground of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Holga, Relentless Rager by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Holga, Relentless Rager MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop, 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 Holga, Relentless Rager and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Holga, Relentless Rager has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |