Maraleaf Rider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Knight |
| Released | 2019-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Throne of Eldraine |
| Set code | ELD |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 166 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Text of card
Sacrifice a Food: Target creature blocks Maraleaf Rider this turn if able.
They both hunger for battle.
Cards like Maraleaf Rider
Maraleaf Rider makes an intriguing comparison when pitted against other creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with Sylvan Advocate in terms of being a low-cost creature with potential to influence the battlefield. However, Maraleaf Rider offers a unique ability of forcing opponents to block, which can be tactically advantageous in the right deck builds, whereas Sylvan Advocate lacks this, instead providing a late-game power boost to itself and land creatures.
Similarly, Siege Rhino stands out when discussing Maraleaf Rider’s contemporaries. Both cards present the ability to impact the opponent’s strategy, but Siege Rhino does this by directly affecting life totals upon entering the battlefield which can be a game-changer. Maraleaf Rider, while not impacting life totals, gives players the tactical edge in combat.
In essence, Maraleaf Rider, with its proactive blocking mechanic, provides a particular strategy that is not found in many creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Players who value precision in combat scenarios may find Maraleaf Rider’s precise control over block assignments to be a unique and valuable tool in their green-based decks.
Cards similar to Maraleaf Rider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Maraleaf Rider provides a means to infiltrate your opponent’s strategy by potentially forcing them to sacrifice a valuable creature. This can indirectly translate into card advantage as you diminish the quality of your opponent’s hand or board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While the Maraleaf Rider itself might not produce additional mana or treasure tokens, it hails from the vibrant world of Eldraine where mana-fixing and acceleration are prevalent. Used wisely, this fey warrior can complement such mechanics, providing added utility as you accelerate your resource deployment.
Instant Speed: In its realm of play, the Maraleaf Rider’s ability can operate at instant speed, meaning you can disrupt your opponent’s tactics during their turn. Timing is key, and with this nimble Rider, you hold the reins tight, ready to call upon its power when the battlefield conditions are most favorable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Maraleaf Rider often comes with a strategic snag. In order to activate its ability to force a block, you have to discard a card. This could set you back, especially if you’re running low on hand options and need to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Maraleaf Rider requires both green mana and one of any color to cast. This specificity can be a little restrictive, tying you down to green-centric decks and potentially clashing with decks that require a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its power and toughness numbers are fair for its cost, Maraleaf Rider’s overall impact on the game isn’t as high as other creatures you might cast for three mana. In MTG’s vast card pool, there are alternatives that might provide more bang for your buck without the baggage of additional costs.
Reasons to Include Maraleaf Rider in Your Collection
Versatility: Maraleaf Rider presents itself as a resourceful addition to decks that focus on a creature-based strategy. Its ability to influence combat by forcing opponents to block can be a tactical advantage, particularly in formats that appreciate subtle board control.
Combo Potential: This elf synergizes well with effects that benefit from sacrificing creatures. In tandem with cards that trigger upon creature death or provide advantages when sacrificing, Maraleaf Rider can become a critical piece in a strategy designed to outmaneuver your opponent with clever interactions.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment frequently adjusts, the importance of quick and efficient creatures can rise. Maraleaf Rider’s modest mana cost and ability to impact combat makes it relevant in metas where low-cost creatures and combat tricks dictate the pace of play.
How to beat Maraleaf Rider
Maraleaf Rider is an intriguing card in the MTG realm, offering distinct advantages within the green faction. This card can potentially force your opponent’s creatures to block it when you sacrifice a food token. To effectively combat the strategic use of Maraleaf Rider, it’s important to manage the battlefield with precision. Cards that can remove creatures from the game or negate their abilities prove to be particularly effective. Think about utilizing instant-speed removal spells that can address Maraleaf Rider before its ability is activated.
One strategy to consider is keeping up a countermeasure for when your opponent reaches a stage where they have both Maraleaf Rider and sufficient food tokens to leverage its ability. A well-timed Cast Down or Dismember can swiftly handle the situation before it turns unfavorable. It’s also worth considering the control approach through enchantments like Pacifism, which can neutralize the Rider without necessitating its removal.
Ultimately, the key to overpowering Maraleaf Rider lies in maintaining control over the pace of the game, ensuring that its ability becomes inconsequential. With judicious play and the right cards, the challenge it presents can be mitigated, keeping your strategy well ahead of this card’s potential impact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Maraleaf Rider MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Maraleaf Rider and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Maraleaf Rider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Maraleaf Rider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-10-04 | If an effect refers to a Food, it means any Food artifact, not just a Food artifact token. For example, you can sacrifice Gingerbrute to activate the last ability of Tempting Witch. |
| 2019-10-04 | If the target creature can block other creatures but can't block Maraleaf Rider, it's free to block any other creature or to not block at all. |
| 2019-10-04 | If the target creature can't block for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't block. If there's a cost associated with having it block, its controller isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to block in that case either. |