Falkenrath Marauders MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Vampire Warrior
Abilities	Flying,Haste
Released	2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Innistrad
Set code	ISD
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	141
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	James Ryman

Key Takeaways

Without direct card draw, Falkenrath Marauders still achieves card advantage through opponent resource depletion.
Power escalation with +1/+1 counters makes it a robust investment in combat-centric decks.
Despite its potential, the high mana cost and double red requirement can limit deck inclusion.

Text of card

Flying, haste Whenever Falkenrath Marauders deals combat damage to a player, put two +1/+1 counters on it.

No slinking in the dark for them, no luring whispers. They claim their prey in the speed and glory of the hunt.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Falkenrath Marauders doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its escalating threat level can effectively pressure your opponent into a defensive position. Each successful attack not only deals substantial damage but also forces the opponent to deal with an increasingly dangerous flyer. This can indirectly lead to card advantage when opponents are compelled to use up multiple resources to answer the growing threat.

Resource Acceleration: While the Falkenrath Marauders don’t provide explicit mana acceleration, they offer a different kind of resource growth: power. Every time the Marauders deal combat damage to a player, they gain two +1/+1 counters. This self-enhancing capability is a form of investment; as the creature becomes more formidable, the resources spent on deploying and protecting it become increasingly worthwhile.

Instant Speed: The Falkenrath Marauders don’t function at instant speed, but their aggressive nature often forces opponents to keep mana open, planning for an answer to these vampiric aggressors. A player with Falkenrath Marauders on the battlefield may thereby restrict their opponent’s mana usage, potentially delaying or disrupting strategies that rely on casting spells at instant speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Falkenrath Marauders does not have a discard requirement, managing your hand to ensure you get the most out of each creature in play is key, and not being able to do so effectively can really set back your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Falkenrath Marauders comes with a demanding mana cost that includes double red mana, which might not always align with your deck’s mana base, making it challenging to cast on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Falkenrath Marauders is quite the investment. In a game where speed can be essential, there might be hesitation to include a card with such a weighty mana requirement when alternatives could provide a faster impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Falkenrath Marauders thrives in a variety of red-based aggressive decks, easily slotting into strategies that hinge on attacking quickly and efficiently. Its inherent haste ability allows for immediate board impact, making it a dynamic choice for players looking to apply pressure from the get-go.

Combo Potential: With its ability to grow stronger with each successful hit, the Marauders synergize well with other cards that manipulate combat or add extra combat phases, thereby amplifying its power in a relatively short span of time and creating potential for explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tempo and maintaining a presence on the board is crucial, Falkenrath Marauders offers an aggressive card option that can become a major threat if left unchecked. This can be particularly useful in situations where the opponent is unable to stabilize early.

How to beat

Falkenrath Marauders is a challenging card to face in the realm of MTG due to its Vampire subtype and the ability to grow stronger with each attack, becoming more formidable through its inherent flying and haste abilities. To effectively counter Falkenrath Marauders, players should consider removal spells that can deal with creatures at instant speed, as waiting for your turn may allow the Marauders to accumulate too many +1/+1 counters, making it harder to remove.

Strategies to tackle this threat involve disrupting the opponent’s early game to prevent them from casting the Marauders. Efficient removal like “Path to Exile” or “Fatal Push” can swiftly deal with it before the counters become an issue. Additionally, cards that can neutralize abilities, such as “Phyrexian Revoker”, or inflict negative counters, like “Tragic Slip” post-creature death, offer viable solutions. Ensnaring the creature with enchantments like “Pacifism” or forcing a sacrifice with “Liliana of the Veil” can also prove effective. Collaborating these methods will safeguard your board and maintain control, ensuring the Marauders’ threat is mitigated before it lays waste to your life total.

Ultimately, despite the aggressive nature of Falkenrath Marauders, a well-prepared defense that combines removal, disruption, and sacrifice effects can maintain the battlefield equilibrium and take the upper hand in your MTG matches.

Cards like Falkenrath Marauders

Falkenrath Marauders hold a unique position in the roster of vampire creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its vampiric kin, such as Stromkirk Noble, share the bloodthirsty trait of growing stronger with each bite, or in MTG terms, with each point of combat damage dealt to a player. However, the Marauders take it up a notch with their double +1/+1 counter ability, surpassing the Noble’s singular counter increment.

Another creature worth considering in comparison is Vampire Nighthawk. While the Nighthawk doesn’t increase in power and toughness the way Falkenrath Marauders do, it compensates with deathtouch and lifelink, creating a more immediate and defensive impact on the battlefield. Yet, in terms of raw aggression and the potential for exponential growth, the Marauders outpace their nocturnal counterpart.

Considering the set’s panorama, the Falkenrath Marauders stand out for their aggressive potential in game. Their ability to swiftly escalate in power makes them a force to be reckoned with, unlike many creatures that have a fixed power level. They embody the escalating threat vampires pose in MTG, revealing their capability to become overwhelming adversaries if left unchecked.

Cards similar to Falkenrath Marauders by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Falkenrath Marauders MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Falkenrath Marauders and other MTG cards: