Spectral Rider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spirit Knight
Abilities	Intimidate
Released	2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Innistrad
Set code	ISD
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	35
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Key Takeaways

Intimidate allows Spectral Rider to deal consistent damage, maintaining board pressure with no extra card cost.
Efficient two mana cost creature, Spectral Rider can quickly create a threatening board presence and manage resources.
Despite its strengths, the specific two white mana cost may limit deck-building flexibility, affecting multi-color strategies.

Text of card

Intimidate (This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or creatures that share a color with it.)

Never a word. Never a warning. Only the sound of hoofbeats along the crossways, and the screams of the avenged.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Spectral Rider doesn’t provide direct card draw, its Intimidate ability can often mean it goes unblocked, allowing for consistent damage and maintaining pressure on your opponent without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Spectral Rider itself doesn’t accelerate resources in terms of mana, but it does offer a cost-effective creature for only two mana. This efficiency can lead to quicker and more threatening board states, indirectly impacting resource management.

Instant Speed: Although Spectral Rider is a creature played at sorcery speed, its Intimidate ability complements instant speed interaction by pressuring the opponent to leave blockers up, potentially reducing their effectiveness and responsiveness during your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike certain creatures that offer an added ability without extra cost, Spectral Rider demands discarding a card for activating certain effects. This could deplete your hand, especially when you’re seeking to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Spectral Rider calls for a precise mana setup, which is two white mana. This requirement can be restrictive, potentially making it a less desirable option for multi-colored decks that value mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost, Spectral Rider can be seen as less cost-efficient in comparison to other creatures in its category. Given the competitive scene, where every mana counts, this may hinder its inclusion in fast-paced or efficiency-focused deck builds.

Reasons to Include Spectral Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Spectral Rider shines in its simplicity and adaptability. As a two-mana cost Spirit with Intimidate, it can effortlessly slot into both aggressive and spirit-centric decks, navigating smoothly through opponents’ defenses.

Combo Potential: Known for its synergies, Spectral Rider works well within spirit tribal or decks leveraging the mechanic soulbond. Pairing it with creatures that buff its abilities magnifies both its offensive and defensive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat is king, the evasion provided by Spectral Rider ensures it remains a persistent threat. Particularly in matches against mono-colored decks, its Intimidate ability can often equate to being unblockable, thereby maintaining consistent pressure on the opponent.

How to Beat

Dealing with Spectral Rider on the battlefield can be quite a challenge given its Intimidate ability, which often prevents it from being blocked except by artifact creatures and/or creatures that share its color. This particular ability, common amongst ethereal-like cards in Magic: The Gathering, encourages a strategic approach to overcome.

To counteract Spectral Rider effectively, one of the simplest strategies is to include artifact creatures in your deck as they are universally able to block creatures with Intimidate. Alternatively, having creatures or spells that can remove or neutralize creatures without relying on the block mechanism can be equally effective. Removal spells, bounce spells, or anything that can change the creature’s characteristics such as color can mitigate the Intimidate advantage. With these tools at your disposal, Spectral Rider becomes a much less daunting threat, despite its ghostly evasion.

The key to surpassing this spectral adversary lies in versatile deck construction and situational awareness. Equip your deck with a balanced mix of removal, board control, and variable creature types to ensure you’re prepared for any intimidating presence that drifts your way.

Cards like Spectral Rider

Spectral Rider stands as a solid figure within the suite of creatures in MTG, holding its ground next to other spectral forces. It shares similarities with cards like Loyal Pegasus in terms of being a low-cost creature with the ability to make an early impact on the game. However, Spectral Rider boasts an Intimidate ability, allowing it to be blocked only by artifact creatures and those that share a color with it, a feature Loyal Pegasus does not possess. This gives Spectral Rider a strategic edge in certain matchups.

Another comparable card is Daxos, Blessed by the Sun, which also offers a two mana value but comes with a different set of abilities focused on life gain. Spectral Rider, on the other hand, emphasizes evasion, offering a distinct approach to combat strategies. Reflecting upon Silverchase Fox, both share the Spirit creature type and a two mana value, yet the Fox leans towards utility with its ability to remove enchantments from the game, while Spectral Rider offers consistent combat pressure.

Assessing the variations among these options reveals the unique position of Spectral Rider in MTG, presenting an effective blend of affordability and combat prowess that makes it a contender in decks looking to assert early dominance and sustain board presence.

Daxos, Blessed by the Sun - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spectral Rider by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spectral Rider 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 Spectral Rider and other MTG cards: