Rag Man MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 51
1995-04-01 - Number 155
1995-04-01 - Number 155
1995-08-01 - Number 64
1997-03-24 - Number 190
1999-04-21 - Number 151
2001-04-11 - Number 156★
2001-04-11 - Number 156
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Minion |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o Bo Bo B, oc T: Look at opponent's hand. If opponent has any creature cards in hand, he or she discards one of them at random. This ability can only be used during controller's turn.
"Aw, he's just a silly, dirty little man. What's to be afraid of?"
Cards like Rag Man
Rag Man stands unique within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, not just for its flavorful nod to horror but for the subtle psychological impact it can have on a game. Cards like Hypnotic Specter share the ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand, but Rag Man does so with a directness that’s more reminiscent of Mind Rot, stripping away resources before they can pose a threat.
Another card worth mentioning in the same arena is Burglar Rat, which, like Rag Man, forces a discard upon entering the battlefield. However, Rag Man’s repeatable effect to look at an opponent’s hand and discard from it shines over single use discard creatures. Then there’s Liliana’s Specter, offering a similar entry-triggered discard, but lacking Rag Man’s targeted precision and recur[THEME]able nature, providing strategic depth that’s hard to replicate.
Delving into these comparisons, Rag Man has its place solidified in MTG, especially in decks focused on disrupting the opponent’s plan. Its capacity to recur this ability offers a persistent threat that puts it a notch above occasional discard creatures, cementing its role in the strategic niche of hand disruption.
Cards similar to Rag Man by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Rag Man at your command, unsettling your opponent’s hand is just the beginning. It affords you the chance to glean valuable information and disrupt their strategy while advancing your own board position.
Resource Acceleration: Though Rag Man himself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it effectively slows down the opposition by compelling them to discard, thus giving you a relative speed advantage on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: While Rag Man’s abilities don’t operate at instant speed, the psychological impact of its presence can be instantaneous. Opponents might hesitate to cast their best spells for fear of having to discard them, which can sway the game’s tempo in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Rag Man, to enact its primary ability, a player must force their opponent to discard cards, which can be less effective against certain decks that benefit from or are resilient to discard strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Rag Man requires one black mana plus three others. This specificity can be restrictive when building a mana base, particularly in multicolor decks where balancing the mana pool for consistency is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Rag Man’s overall cost of four mana for its ability to potentially disrupt an opponent’s hand, there are other cards that may offer more immediate or impactful effects for similar or lower investment, which may deter players from including it in a competitive deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rag Man has the ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand while also giving you potential information about their upcoming plays. This can make it a fit for control decks or those that like to dictate the pace of the game.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that capitalize on discarded cards, such as reanimation tactics or abilities that trigger when an opponent discards, multiplying your advantage round over round.
Meta-Relevance: If players in your meta-game favor strategies that rely heavily on specific cards in hand, Rag Man can be a significant threat. Its repeatable effect can systematically dismantle your opponent’s game plan.
How to Beat Rag Man
Overcoming Rag Man in your Magic: The Gathering duels requires understanding its mechanics and crafting a strategy around them. Rag Man, a creature that hails from older sets, necessitates both mana investment and time before its abilities can affect the board state. It’s key to recognize Rag Man’s power lies in its potential to disrupt the opponent’s hand but also acknowledge its vulnerability to fast-paced or direct damage strategies.
Efficient removal spells are your best allies in neutralizing Rag Man. Cards like Lightning Bolt can dispatch Rag Man promptly as it enters the battlefield before its ability becomes a nuisance. Additionally, offering creatures with high toughness will wall off Rag Man’s attacks, staving off its mind-twisting threat. Prioritize maintaining a momentum that pressures your opponent, keeping them defensive and unable to leverage Rag Man’s hand disruption. Denying them the time needed to get value from Rag Man’s abilities will turn what could be a sinister tide into a minor ripple in your game plan.
Ultimately, handling Rag Man effectively involves an early resolution with spot removal or an aggressive play style that overshadows the tempo loss it might impose. Quick action and board presence are decisive in assuring Rag Man doesn’t unravel your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rag Man MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, 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 Man 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 Rag Man Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 51 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 155 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 155 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 64 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 190 | 1997 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 6 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 151 | 1997 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 7 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 156★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 8 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 156 | 1997 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rag Man has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |