Raking Claws MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Raking Claws, the double strike ability can help you potentially take out two creatures of an opponent in one swing, effectively providing a two-for-one situation and swinging the card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling your creature to deal both first strike and regular combat damage, you can expedite the demolition of an opponent’s defenses, paving the way for other creatures to attack unimpeded and accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Raking Claws gives you the flexibility to catch an opponent off guard during combat, doubling your creature’s impact when the timing is most crucial and when your opponent least expects it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some combat tricks, Raking Claws has no discard requirement but it’s important to note that having any form of additional cost can affect the gameplay, and players must stay informed on their card choices.

Specific Mana Cost: Raking Claws demands a specific color for its casting cost, requiring red mana which could restrict its inclusion in decks that aren’t tailored to leverage red’s strengths.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While providing double strike can be a game-changer, the mana investment for Raking Claws may be seen as high when compared to other cards with similar or additional effects, which can sway players towards more cost-effective options in a competitive setting.

Reasons to Include Raking Claws in Your Collection

Versatility: Raking Claws can slip into a range of decks thanks to its ability to grant double strike. This versatility means it could turn even the most unassuming creature into a significant threat.

Combo Potential: With the double strike feature, this instant has remarkable synergy with cards that have on-hit effects or with strategies that emphasize combat tricks and power boosts to deliver lethal damage all at once.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games can swing by a single combat phase, Raking Claws can serve as an unexpected game-changer, making it a relevant choice for players looking to outmaneuver their opponents in combat-centric matches.

How to beat

Raking Claws is a spell that can drastically turn the tides of combat in Magic: The Gathering. It grants double strike to a single creature for a turn, potentially doubling its damage output if it’s not dealt with swiftly. To effectively counter this, timing and strategic use of removal spells are critical. You should consider keeping mana open for instant-speed removal to respond to Raking Claws before it can impact combat. Cards that prevent damage or nullify combat abilities, such as Fog or other damage prevention spells, can also undermine the potency of Raking Claws. Additionally, efficient creature blockers, especially those with deathtouch, can dissuade an opponent from playing Raking Claws, as the risk of losing their creature becomes too great. By using these tactics, you can mitigate the impact of Raking Claws and maintain a favorable position in the game.

BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricate battlefield of MTG means employing both strategy and surprise. Raking Claws can be that surprise, turning the tide of a duel with its double strike capability. It’s not just a card but a valuable addition to any red-focused strategy, meshing well with aggressive builds and catalyzing victory out of a close combat. Whether you’re pressing the advantage or clawing back from the brink, understanding how to optimize such an instant can set you apart in any match. Dive deeper with us into the realm of MTG tactics, and learn how to harness the raw power of Raking Claws to secure your next triumph.