Rage Forger MTG Card
2008-02-01 - Number 97
2021-08-26 - Number 496
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Rage Forger increases your creatures’ power, accelerating board threats and potential for victory.
- Shamans gain immediate impact, surprising opponents with increased potency during combat phases.
- Despite specific mana requirements, Rage Forger presents valuable versatility and combo potential in Shaman decks.
Text of card
When Rage Forger comes into play, put a +1/+1 counter on each other Shaman creature you control. Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it attacks, you may have that creature deal 1 damage to target player.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rage Forger works by empowering each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter whenever it or another Shaman enters the battlefield under your control. Not only does it beef up your creatures, but it also delivers a solid bump in card efficacy by making each of these creatures a more significant threat the moment they hit the board.
Resource Acceleration: Given that Rage Forger itself often leads to a significant board presence with its ability, it indirectly contributes to resource acceleration. As your creatures grow in power and become able to deal more damage, this effectively hastens the pace at which you diminish your opponent’s life total, pushing you closer to victory.
Instant Speed: Although Rage Forger isn’t an instant-speed spell, its ability triggers whenever a Shaman is played, providing a form of instant impact. This can turn your Shamans into immediate threats, surprising your opponent and creating urgent problems they need to address, potentially on their own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rage Forger does not itself have a discard requirement. However, when considering synergies in a deck that capitalizes on the Rage Forger’s ability, having to discard cards to activate or support other shaman-related abilities might strain your hand if resources are limited.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Rage Forger includes red mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks that can produce that color. Players who run multicolored decks might find it challenging to meet the specific mana requirements without the proper mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the mana cost of Rage Forger can be deemed reasonable for its potential impact on the game, in fast-paced formats where low-cost creatures are prevalent, its three mana cost could slow you down. This potential delay allows opponents who utilize more mana-efficient creatures to establish board presence more rapidly.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rage Forger’s ability to bolster each creature in a Shaman deck amplifies its threat level across various board states. It also excels in aggressive decks that capitalize on quickly populating the battlefield with creatures.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that create Shaman tokens or with effects that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or dealing damage, Rage Forger can become the lynchpin of a powerful combo, enabling explosive turns and swift victories.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Rage Forger helps to push through additional damage, potentially swinging games in your favor. Its place in your collection can prepare you for shifts in the meta where such decks become dominant.
How to beat Rage Forger
Rage Forger is a unique creature card that can bolster your board state significantly by pumping up your Shaman creatures and dealing extra damage during your turn. When this creature enters the battlefield, it gives each Shaman you control an additional +1/+1 counter. Furthermore, whenever a Shaman you control attacks, Rage Forger causes it to deal 1 damage to your opponent.
To counter this strategy effectively, removal spells are your best bet. Since Rage Forger itself has fairly moderate toughness, a straightforward removal like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push can easily dispatch it from play. Additionally, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are excellent for clearing out multiple Shamans at once, negating the compounded power that Rage Forger could represent on your opponent’s side of the battlefield.
Playing defensively can also mitigate the damage from Rage Forger’s attack-triggered ability. Creature cards with high toughness or those with the reach ability can serve as effective blockers to prevent incoming Shamans from hitting your life total. Ultimately, a well-timed removal or strategic blocking can dismantle the synergy Rage Forger aims to create, giving you the upper hand.
Cards like Rage Forger
Rage Forger stands out in the red creature spectrum of Magic: The Gathering. It shares its creature type with the likes of Taurean Mauler, which also benefits from counters and grows with the number of spells played. Yet, Rage Forger shines with its unique ability to give other Shaman creatures you control +1/+1 and the potential to deal direct damage to opponents with its triggered ability when attacking.
Comparing its impacts on game dynamics, Burning-Tree Emissary is another creature that offers value through its mana-generating ability upon entering the battlefield. Although it doesn’t enhance other creatures or deal direct damage like Rage Forger, it’s valued for its immediate mana ramp capability, fueling aggressive playstyles. Flamekin Harbinger too bears resemblance as a Shaman that tutors for elemental creatures upon entering the battlefield, providing strategic deck thinning and facilitating powerful combos that could include Rage Forger itself.
Assessing these cards side by side, Rage Forger not only incentivizes a tribal Shaman strategy but also actively rewards players for amassing a board presence of such creatures, tipping the scales during combats. Its synergistic and offensive potential makes it an impactful card in MTG, particularly in decks optimized around Shaman tribal themes.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rage Forger MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Rage Forger 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
Printings
The Rage Forger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Dominick Domingo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-02-01 | Morningtide | MOR | 97 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 496 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dominick Domingo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rage Forger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
