Jadelight Ranger MTG Card


Jadelight Ranger provides card advantage and filters your library through its explore mechanism. Its ability to place lands onto the battlefield can significantly accelerate your mana resources. Immediate board impact upon entry rivals that of instant speed plays, adding tactical depth.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Scout Ranger
Abilities Explore
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Jadelight Ranger enters the battlefield, it explores, then it explores again. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard. Then repeat this process.)


Cards like Jadelight Ranger

Jadelight Ranger stands out in the pantheon of creature cards with explore mechanic in Magic: The Gathering. When considering its close relatives, Merfolk Branchwalker pops up as a natural comparison. Both creatures hail from the Ixalan block and invite players to explore upon entering the battlefield. Merfolk Branchwalker is a smaller entity, but shares the valuable asset of potentially drawing a land or putting a +1/+1 counter on itself, just like Jadelight Ranger does — albeit Ranger gets to do it twice.

Another similar creature is Seekers’ Squire. Although slightly less impactful with only one explore trigger, it offers a different tactical angle by coming in with a default 1/2 body, ensuring a slight resilience against removal. Then, there’s Wildgrowth Walker, a card that doesn’t explore itself, but gains counters and life each time you explore with other cards, pairing superbly with Jadelight Ranger’s double trigger action.

Through this lens, Jadelight Ranger provides an advantageous blend of potential card advantage, board presence, and synergy with other explore cards. Its balanced abilities make it a versatile choice for decks looking to exploit the explore mechanism, reaffirming its esteem among MTG players.

Merfolk Branchwalker - MTG Card versions
Seekers' Squire - MTG Card versions
Wildgrowth Walker - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Branchwalker - MTG Card versions
Seekers' Squire - MTG Card versions
Wildgrowth Walker - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Jadelight Ranger. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic TempoSimic Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 10 2024
Gruul ComboGruul Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Bant MidrangeBant Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro PioneerSuper Pioneer - 1 Torneio da Liga de Volta Redonda
Abzan ComboAbzan Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Amalia ComboAmalia Combo PioneerAbzan Amalia ComboSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Abzan Amalia ComboAbzan Amalia Combo PioneerAbzan Amalia ComboPioneer League 2023-12-03
Abzan CompanyAbzan Company PioneerAbzan Amalia ComboNRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jadelight Ranger enables you to potentially explore twice, providing an opportunity to draw additional cards or to filter the top cards of your library, enhancing your chances of drawing into more impactful play options.

Resource Acceleration: This card can help accelerate your resources by revealing lands during its explore ability, putting them directly onto the battlefield, which in turn ramps up your mana capacity for the game ahead.

Instant Speed: Though Jadelight Ranger is a creature that cannot be played at instant speed, the instant value it can generate by immediately impacting the board state upon entry provides a similar advantage as you gain immediate access to the benefits of its explore mechanic.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Jadelight Ranger is that, in specific game scenarios, its explore mechanism might force you to discard valuable cards. If your deck relies on specific combos or cards, this can unintentionally disrupt your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes two green symbols, making it a suitable fit primarily for mono-green or green-centric decks. Players running multicolor decks may find it challenging to consistently meet the strict mana requirement, thereby limiting its versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Jadelight Ranger may not always provide the tempo advantage in fast-paced matches. In a game where efficiency can be the difference between winning and losing, there are other options at lower mana costs that may fit better into decks looking for a quicker board presence or more immediate value.


Reasons to Include Jadelight Ranger in Your Collection

Versatility: Jadelight Ranger is a dynamic card that seamlessly fits into various green-based strategies, from aggressive builds to more midrange explorations. Its ability to potentially draw multiple lands from the deck while also strengthening the board can make it a valuable asset in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: With its explore mechanic, Jadelight Ranger works well in tandem with graveyard-focused cards or mechanics that benefit from cards entering the graveyard or being drawn. This synergy boosts strategies revolving around permanent recursion or landfall triggers, creating opportunities for intricate combos.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-centric decks or where efficient board presence is crucial, Jadelight Ranger holds its ground. It’s a respectable two-for-one that manages to impact the battlefield while refining your draw. This relevance makes it a smart choice for players seeking to increase their deck’s adaptability and resilience against the shifting tides of the meta.


How to beat

Jadelight Ranger presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to explore twice, potentially drawing the player deeper into their deck while strengthening the Ranger itself. Facing down this versatile Merfolk Scout requires a deft strategy to mitigate its advantages. One effective tactic is to prioritize removal spells that can address the Ranger before it accrues value for your opponent.

Instant speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile allows you to quickly dispatch the creature before its explore mechanic can provide significant benefits. Similarly, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the field, rendering the value generated by Jadelight Ranger moot. It’s also beneficial to keep in mind that graveyard interaction can be a double-edged sword, considering spells like Scavenging Ooze to disrupt explore bonuses tied to manipulating graveyards.

Ultimately, minimizing the impact of Jadelight Ranger involves strategic timing of removal and anticipating your opponent’s moves. Keep your answers ready and adapt quickly to the ever-evolving game state, ensuring Jadelight Ranger’s exploratory ventures don’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

The art of mastering MTG lies in understanding your cards like Jadelight Ranger and the synergies they create within your deck. As you assemble your collection, it’s crucial to consider not just the strengths but also the weaknesses of each card and how it aligns with your playing style. The Ranger’s unique ability to potentially ramp or smooth out draws can be a game-changer. We encourage you to dive deeper into strategies that maximize its explore mechanic and to explore alternative cards that can complement or challenge its presence on the board. Unlock the full potential of your deck and optimize your gameplay by learning more with us at BurnMana.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jadelight Ranger MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and The List, 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 Jadelight Ranger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jadelight Ranger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2018-01-19. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 1362015NormalBlackJason Rainville
22020-09-26The ListPLST RIX-1362015NormalBlackJason Rainville

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jadelight Ranger has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jadelight Ranger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-01-19 If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger “whenever a creature you control explores” trigger if appropriate.
2018-01-19 If no card is revealed, most likely because that player’s library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter.
2018-01-19 If you reveal a nonland card the first time Jadelight Ranger explores and leave it on top of your library, you’ll reveal the same card the second time it explores. If you don’t pretend to be surprised, you’ll hurt Jadelight Ranger’s feelings.
2018-01-19 Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it’s done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter.