Rag Dealer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 138 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ralph Horsley |
Text of card
, : Remove up to three target cards in a single graveyard from the game.
"After General Takeno found the Oathkeeper amidst the bamboo marshes, more scavengers braved the swamp's nezumi, oni, and kami in hopes of glory." —*The History of Kamigawa*
Cards like Rag Dealer
Rag Dealer is a unique component in the evolving tapestry of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison could be with cards like Salvage Scout, which also offers the ability to retrieve an artifact from the graveyard. However, Rag Dealer brings a distinct flavor to the game, allowing players to dig deeper for a specific artifact type and potentially setting up larger strategies for the future.
Street Wraith is another card that shares similarity with Rag Dealer because of its capacity to impact the player’s graveyard. Compared to Rag Dealer, Street Wraith provides an immediate effect with its cycling ability but doesn’t target specific card types. Rummaging Goblin stands out as well, with an ongoing ability to swap cards in hand for potentially better options from the deck, fine-tuning hand content much like Rag Dealer’s selective graveyard retrieval.
Considering these alternatives, Rag Dealer carves out its niche within Magic: The Gathering, offering a synergy that can be tactically advantageous for artifact-focused decks by consistently recovering essential components over time.
Cards similar to Rag Dealer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Rag Dealer grants a strategic edge by letting you sift through the top cards of your library, selecting the finest tools for the current game state and burying the rest. Each activation is a step towards dominating the card economy and outpacing your opponent’s hand.
Resource Acceleration: By generating clues, treasure, or food tokens depending on what lies on top of your deck, Rag Dealer not only nudges you towards your win conditions but significantly ramps your ability to deploy threats or answers crucially earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: This card’s ability to be activated at instant speed provides tactical versatility. You can execute plays during your opponent’s end step, ensuring your resources are maximized while keeping up the element of surprise, pivoting from reactive defense to an aggressive stance within a single turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rag Dealer comes with the stipulation that you must let go of another card to reap its benefits. This trade-off can leave you at a disadvantage, particularly in moments when your hand size is already depleted, and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost requires a precise combination of mana types that can be challenging to muster in a multicolored deck. This limitation can make Rag Dealer a less versatile option when you’re crafting a deck with a diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana expenditure needed to get Rag Dealer into play can be considered steep relative to other options in the game. Because of this cost, players may find that the card’s impact on the game does not justify its inclusion over lower-cost cards with similar or better effects.
Reasons to Include Rag Dealer in Your Collection
Versatility: Rag Dealer is a unique addition to any collection due to its ability to manipulate graveyards. This makes it a strategic choice for decks that need to either disrupt opponent strategies or benefit from targeted graveyard retrieval.
Combo Potential: This card becomes a linchpin in combinations that capitalize on recycled resources. Rag Dealer’s capability to selectively return cards from the graveyard opens doors to powerful synergies within a plethora of deck themes.
Meta-Relevance: Given the current competitive environment often sees graveyard-based strategies, having a card like Rag Dealer could provide an essential edge. It stands as a valuable tool against decks that heavily rely on their graveyards, making it a meta-relevant choice for many players looking to stay one step ahead.
How to beat
Rag Dealer is an intriguing card that can slip into a player’s deck as a nifty resource management tool. The uniqueness of Rag Dealer lies in its ability to recycle cards from the graveyard, allowing players to retrieve crucial elements of their strategy. However, it is not irrefutable on the battlefield.
To undermine the effectiveness of Rag Dealer, ensure to target the player’s graveyard, rendering the Dealer’s ability moot. Strategies involving graveyard hate cards such as Leyline of the Void or Rest in Peace can be particularly effective. It’s also beneficial to manage your threats judiciously. Instead of overextending, play threats that demand answers but don’t deplete your resources. This way, even if the Rag Dealer retrieves options for your opponent, your position remains robust.
Consider using instant-speed removal when the Dealer’s ability is on the stack, minimizing the opportunity for your opponent to gain advantage. In essence, by cutting the threads the Rag Dealer relies on, you choke its utility and maintain control over the ebb and flow of resources within the game, securing your path toward victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rag Dealer MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Rag Dealer 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 Rag Dealer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |