Ridgetop Raptor MTG Card

Legions (LGN)
2003-02-03 - Number 108

Ridgetop Raptor - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)

Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
2023-01-13 - Number 134

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Dinosaur Beast
Abilities	Double strike
Power	2
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Ridgetop Raptor’s presence on the board passively sustains card advantage by dint of combat deterrence.
It indirectly accelerates resources by pressuring opponents to misallocate removal efforts inefficiently.
Clever synergy with instant speed spells enhances Ridgetop Raptor’s robust defense and strategic flexibility.

Text of card

Double strike (This creature deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

"The Skirk Ridge has many wonderful things to discover—like escape routes." —Foothill guide

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not offering direct card draw, the resilience of Ridgetop Raptor in matches contributes significantly to sustaining card advantage. Its inherent mechanic deters opponents from engaging in combat, thus maintaining the presence of your cards on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Ridgetop Raptor may not directly generate additional resources, it can provide an indirect form of acceleration by pressuring your opponent to use resources inefficiently, trying to deal with this high-toughness creature.

Instant Speed: Ridgetop Raptor’s ability doesn’t operate at instant speed, but it synergizes well with instant speed spells that can be utilized to protect it or remove threats during your opponent’s turn, allowing for a formidable defense and strategic flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ridgetop Raptor demands that you discard a card from your hand to activate specific abilities. This can weaken your position, especially when your hand size is already diminished from earlier plays. Discarding could potentially rob you of crucial cards needed for later stages of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card that requires a precise combination of mana, Ridgetop Raptor may not easily fit into multi-colored decks. It needs both red and sometimes green mana, which could be restrictive and affect deck fluidity for players who prefer a wider color palette in their builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: This dinosaur comes with a substantial mana investment. With a casting cost that may compete with other cards in your deck, Ridgetop Raptor’s benefits on the board must be judged against other potential plays that could be more mana-efficient, considering both its initial cost and the additional cost for leveraging certain abilities.

Reasons to Include Ridgetop Raptor in Your Collection

Versatility: Ridgetop Raptor is highly adaptable to various deck builds, offering solid performance in decks focusing on creature-based strategies and where damage triggers are essential.

Combo Potential: This dinosaur’s double strike ability can be combined with equipment, auras, and spells that increase power, effectively amplifying its damage output or executing lethal combinations when least expected.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards aggressive playstyles, Ridgetop Raptor firmly holds its ground. It can pose a significant threat by dealing with persistent damage and performing well against the popular creature-heavy decks.

How to beat

Ridgetop Raptor may not be the most ubiquitous dinosaur prowling in Magic: The Gathering, but it can surely leave an impact on the battlefield with its double strike ability. This feature allows it to deal both first-strike and regular combat damage, potentially taking down larger threats or delivering a heavy blow to an opponent’s life total.

To outmaneuver Ridgetop Raptor, consider using removal spells that bypass its double strike by either destroying it outright or exiling it from the game. Spot removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile offer a clean solution without the need for combat. Additionally, since Ridgetop Raptor thrives in combat scenarios, manipulating the combat phase with fog effects or cards like Settle the Wreckage can nullify the impact of its attacks without confronting it directly.

Utility creatures that can block and survive or creatures with deathtouch like Typhoid Rats are also effective. Remember that once engaged in combat, Ridgetop Raptor is as vulnerable as any other creature. It’s all about choosing the right moment and method to take it down.

Cards like Ridgetop Raptor

Ridgetop Raptor introduces a unique twist to the crest of creatures available in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the Dinosaur creature type with cards like Frilled Deathspitter, which also comes with a damage-triggered ability. However, the Ridgetop Raptor distinguishes itself with double strike, allowing it to deal more potential damage across two combat damage steps.

Other creatures offer a comparative look, such as Sky Terror. Both carry the flying ability but Ridgetop Raptor, lacking flight, makes up for it with the larger body and double strike feature. Ripjaw Raptor is another relative in the Dinosaur category, with a similar power level and the added advantage of card draw when it takes damage. This comparison showcases that while Ridgetop Raptor may not have the flying or card draw abilities, its strength lies in its aggressive combat potential.

Therefore, Ridgetop Raptor holds its position as a powerful asset for Dinosaur-themed decks or strategies that capitalize on dealing damage across multiple stages of combat. Its distinctive strengths carve a niche for itself among MTG creatures.

Frilled Deathspitter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ridgetop Raptor by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Rocket-Powered Turbo Slug - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ridgetop Raptor MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Dominaria Remastered, 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 Ridgetop Raptor and other MTG cards: