Racketeer Boss MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Cat Warrior |
| Abilities | Treasure |
| Released | 2022-06-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: New Capenna |
| Set code | YSNC |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 25 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Grechanyi |
Text of card
When Racketeer Boss enters the battlefield, choose up to two creature and/or planeswalker cards in your hand. They perpetually gain "When you cast this spell, create a Treasure token."
Cards like Racketeer Boss
Racketeer Boss carves its niche within the pantheon of impactful creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Like Racketeer Boss, Graveyard Trespasser stands out for players looking to disrupt opponents’ strategies through its graveyard-exiling ability. While the Boss also offers creature tokens to its controller, the Trespasser provides a more direct method of interaction with the graveyard itself; however, it lacks the multiplicity of bodies on the board.
Examining Falkenrath Forebear reveals another creature that offers token generation, albeit in a different vein. The Forebear creates Blood tokens, which present card filtering options rather than board presence. Racketeer Boss opts for immediate impact through its Human Rogue tokens, aiding strategies that capitalize on creature numbers and enabling moderate board control.
Strategically, Racketeer Boss aligns more closely with the likes of Tilonalli’s Summoner. Both cards have a knack for rapidly expanding the number of creatures under a player’s command. Nevertheless, the Summoner requires a continued investment of mana to maintain its influence, whereas Racketeer Boss secures its effect on entry, providing an upfront boon without the need for sustained resources.
Overall, Racketeer Boss offers a practical fusion of token generation and graveyard control, positioning itself as a versatile choice that can both populate the board and offer strategic denial to opponents.
Cards similar to Racketeer Boss by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Racketeer Boss. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Four-color Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Gruul Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024 | |
 | Gruul Stompy | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Jund Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Racketeer Boss ups the ante by not only providing a sturdy creature but also by drawing a card if a creature an opponent owns has been dealt damage this turn. This stipulation means that in multiplayer games, you can exploit any combat damage to cycle through your deck, staying ahead in terms of card options.
Resource Acceleration: The power of Racketeer Boss extends beyond the battlefield with its potential for resource acceleration. By creating Treasure tokens when dealing damage to opponents, it generates additional mana sources. This can prove critical in casting high-cost spells earlier than usual or enabling remarkable combo plays.
Instant Speed: One might expect a creature of this caliber to be limited to sorcery speed, but paired with flash-enabling cards, Racketeer Boss can enter the fray at instant speed. This allows for strategic plays such as flashing in the Boss to surprise an attacker and create sudden blocking scenarios, or simply to benefit from the card and Treasure token advantage on an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Racketeer Boss demands a nonland card must be discarded for its ability to kick into action. This can present a strategic obstacle, forcing players to potentially part with valuable cards from their hand and could lead to a troubling depletion of key resources during pivotal gameplay moments.
Specific Mana Cost: Being locked into a black mana cost, this card requires a commitment to having the right type of mana available, which may not always align with a player’s mana base, especially in multicolored decks that need to balance different mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the upper end for its effect, players may find themselves in a bind when more cost-efficient alternatives are available. Its casting cost may delay its play, preferring lower-cost cards that might provide a similar benefit without the tempo loss.
Reasons to Include Racketeer Boss in Your Collection
Versatility: Racketeer Boss gracefully lands in a wide range of strategies, primarily those that thrive on both creature control and incremental advantage.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that manipulate counters or aim to exploit sacrifices for greater benefit; it’s a linchpin for those looking to engineer winning combinations.
Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield ebbs and flows with various archetypes, Racketeer Boss maintains relevance, adeptly fitting into the fabric of a dynamic MTG environment.
How to Beat
Racketeer Boss poses a unique challenge in MTG play, acting as a notable gatekeeper for creatures entering the battlefield. Its renowned ability to create Treasure tokens, equates to a solid advantage, enriching your mana pool and enhancing strategic options. Much like other influential creature cards, dealing with Racketeer Boss demands precision and timing.
To turn the tables on an opponent with Racketeer Boss, removal spells come in handy. Direct damage spells or those that exile or remove a creature upon its casting, like Murder or Path to Exile, can effectively disrupt your opponent’s game plan. Alternatively, countering it before it lands on the battlefield through spells such as Counterspell, ensures that the Boss’s abilities never come into play. Employ crowd control tactics with board wipes or leverage enchantments that restrict abilities or continuous casting, undermining its potential to gather resources and command the game.
Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strengths and being proactive are key. Either counteract the Racketeer Boss’s effects early or adjust your strategy to diminish its board presence, and you’ll neutralize this formidable adversary in your next MTG bout.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Racketeer Boss MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: New Capenna, 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 Racketeer Boss 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Racketeer Boss has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |