Rapacious One MTG Card

Damage dealt by Rapacious One translates into Eldrazi Spawn tokens, providing significant card advantage. The Eldrazi Spawn tokens offer instant mana ramp, pushing for earlier plays of costly spells. Rapacious One’s flexibility in token generation can pivot strategies mid-game, offering on-demand board presence.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Eldrazi Drone
Abilities Trample
Power 5
Toughness 4

Text of card

Trample Whenever Rapacious One deals combat damage to a player, put that many 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens onto the battlefield. They have "Sacrifice this creature: Add to your mana pool."

Cards like Rapacious One

Rapacious One is an intriguing creature card in Magic the Gathering, often compared to others that generate tokens upon dealing combat damage. Noteworthy among them is Tana, the Bloodsower. Both cards share the ability to create tokens, but Rapacious One’s tokens are colorless Eldrazi Spawn that can be sacrificed for mana rather than the Saprolings Tana creates. This key variation can lead to faster mana ramping and enables powerful plays earlier in the game.

Another card often juxtaposed with Rapacious One is Brood Birthing. While Brood Birthing also creates Eldrazi Spawn tokens, it does so through a spell and not combat damage. Rapacious One has the advantage of being a recurring source of tokens, provided it can consistently deal combat damage to a player. Furthermore, Rapacious One carries a higher power, which directly relates to the number of tokens created and potential for overwhelming the opponent with its mana generation potential.

Comparing Rapacious One’s abilities and potential for board presence with similar creatures and spells it’s clear that it holds its own, especially in decks focused on ramp and token exploitation. Its unique token generation through combat offers a distinct strategic advantage in MTG gameplay.

Tana, the Bloodsower - MTG Card versions
Brood Birthing - MTG Card versions
Tana, the Bloodsower - MTG Card versions
Brood Birthing - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Rapacious One, each time it deals combat damage to a player, you create that many 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens. These tokens can be sacrificed for additional mana, essentially turning damage into potential card play advantages.

Resource Acceleration: The Eldrazi Spawn tokens generated by Rapacious One act as an impressive form of mana ramp. By sacrificing these tokens, you enhance your resource pool, thus accelerating the casting of high-cost spells earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: While Rapacious One itself does not operate at instant speed, the tokens it creates provide instant-speed flexibility. This lets you adapt to the board state by either churning out blockers or generating mana in response to actions on the battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Rapacious One does not have a discard requirement, managing Eldrazi Spawn tokens generated from damage can pressure your hand if you lack the means to utilize or sacrifice them effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: Rapacious One demands a unique combination of red and colorless mana, which may not seamlessly fit into all deck types, particularly those with a tight mana base or a focus on multicolor synergy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Rapacious One might arrive too late in games where faster strategies prevail. There are lower-cost creatures that provide quicker board presence or other forms of mana acceleration.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rapacious One can effortlessly slide into a variety of deck archetypes, notably in those that capitalize on ramping up mana quickly. Its ability to generate colorless tokens makes it a robust choice for mana-intensive plays or activating abilities.

Combo Potential: The creature’s innate ability to create Eldrazi Spawn tokens can be harnessed for numerous combos, especially in decks that utilize creature sacrifice for gain or have themes around token generation and manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame shifts towards decks that demand swift and steady mana development to cast influential spells, Rapacious One secures a spot in your arsenal, providing both offensive capabilities and vital mana acceleration.

How to beat

Rapacious One is a formidable creature in the MTG universe, boasting trample and the ability to generate Eldrazi Spawn tokens. When this creature successfully deals combat damage to a player, it creates that many 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens. Those tokens can be sacrificed for additional mana, potentially accelerating a player’s game plan exponentially.

To counter this momentum, focusing on removal and control strategies is critical. Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Go for the Throat can dispatch Rapacious One before the tokens begin to overwhelm the battlefield. Board wipes are equally effective, clearing out not only Rapacious One but also its swarm of tokens. It would also be strategic to disrupt an opponent’s mana base or use effects that limit the usefulness of creature abilities, such as cards with the “can’t activate abilities” clauses.

Moreover, using creatures that can block and kill Rapacious One without taking damage themselves, such as those with deathtouch, will neutralize the token generation advantage this creature can provide. In essence, a focused removal strategy, precise control, and thorough board management are reliable counters to Rapacious One’s otherwise rapacious advance in your games.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rapacious One MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Commander 2011, 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 Rapacious One and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rapacious One Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-04-23Rise of the EldraziROE 1622003NormalBlackJason A. Engle
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1332003NormalBlackJason A. Engle
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2492015NormalBlackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rapacious One has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal