Molten Ravager MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 138
2020-07-17 - Number 351
2020-08-13 - Number 78
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
: Molten Ravager gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
"Only the foolhardy would venture into the Akoum Mountains without a lullmage to tame the raging rocks and living fires." —Sachir, Akoum Expeditionary House
Cards like Molten Ravager
Molten Ravager enters the realm of Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing creature card with a fiery impact on gameplay. It shares the battlefield with other mana flex creatures like Endless One, where players can invest as much mana as they desire into the creature’s strength. However, what sets Molten Ravager apart is its ability to pump its power temporarily, similar to the likes of Shivan Dragon.
While Shivan Dragon uses mana to increase both power and flying, Molten Ravager’s boost is restricted to ground assaults. Comparing it with other mana-flex creatures, such as Chamber Sentry, reveals a difference in versatility. Chamber Sentry can adjust its power and toughness permanently based on the number of colors of mana spent to cast it, presenting a potentially more enduring threat on the board. Furthermore, Molten Ravager requires a continuous mana investment to maintain its muscle, which can be seen as a downside when facing opponents with plenty of mana denial strategies.
Examining Molten Ravager within the context of existing creatures, it’s clear that its unique power-pumping ability can catch an opponent off guard, making it a surprisingly formidable threat in games where mana is abundant and ready to be unleashed.
Cards similar to Molten Ravager by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Molten Ravager allows you to potentially draw additional cards as it deals damage. This can turn the tide in your favor by giving you more options and overwhelming your opponent with your increasing hand size.
Resource Acceleration: As a powerful option in any red-based deck, the Molten Ravager can increase your mana resources as it commonly synergizes with cards that benefit from dealing damage. This synergy may accelerate your gameplay, giving you the upper hand to deploy high-cost cards earlier than expected.
Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage at instant speed gives Molten Ravager tactical versatility. You can surprise an opponent by altering combat outcomes or by taking advantage of their unprotected state in the late-game phases when their guard might be down.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Molten Ravager is its reliance on discarding a card to activate its ability. This condition can pose a strategic problem when your hand is already depleted, and parting with additional cards might weaken your position significantly.
Specific Mana Cost: Molten Ravager’s mana cost demands a commitment to red mana, which can restrict deck-building options. For players not dedicated to a red-centric strategy, incorporating Molten Ravager can complicate their mana base, leading to potential inconsistencies in play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the investment, Molten Ravager’s cost may appear steep relative to the impact it has on the game. With a wealth of creatures and spells available at or below its mana value, players might find more efficient alternatives to fulfill the role that Molten Ravager aims to play in a deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Molten Ravager excels in many deck builds, particularly those that thrive on aggressive strategies and benefit from creatures that can adjust their power dynamically.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to pump its power provides synergy with mechanics that rely on creature strength, opening up opportunities for explosive turns.
Meta-Relevance: Molten Ravager fits well into a metagame that favors quick, creature-based tactics, challenging your opponents to respond to its scaling threat each turn.
How to beat
Molten Ravager is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, bringing a potent mix of flexibility and power to red decks in Magic: The Gathering. This creature can rapidly escalate its attack power, becoming a significant threat that opponents must address swiftly. To overcome the Molten Ravager, it’s essential to employ effective removal spells before it becomes too large. Early game disruptions, such as Shock or Frost Bite, can easily dispatch it while it’s still manageable.
Another strategy involves strategy and creature management. Utilizing creatures with deathtouch, for instance, can deter players from attacking or blocking with Molten Ravager due to the potentially unfavorable trade. Since Molten Ravager’s strength lies in its power boost during the attack, defenders could also use instant-speed removal or damage spells during the combat phase after attackers have been declared but before combat damage is dealt. This tactic can prevent the power surge altogether.
Remember that consistent pressure on your opponent’s life total can be another way to indirectly handle Molten Ravager. By forcing your adversary to allocate resources for defense, you can limit their opportunities to leverage Molten Ravager’s capabilities. Thus, maintaining control of the board state and being proactive with your removal spells can ensure that this volatile creature gets extinguished before it can wreak havoc.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Molten Ravager MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Jumpstart, 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 Molten Ravager and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Printings
The Molten Ravager Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 138 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 351 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Molten Ravager has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |