Reaver Ambush MTG Card

Gives you card advantage by removing an opponent’s creature at instant speed, setting the stage for future plays. Mana efficiency is key, allowing for flexible play while keeping resources for other strategic actions. In the right deck, Reaver Ambush’s versatility and meta relevance make it a powerful addition to your arsenal.
Reaver Ambush - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Number83
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySidharth Chaturvedi

Text of card

Exile target creature with power 3 or less.

Onora knew with sudden, grim certainty he would never see the Great River again.

Cards like Reaver Ambush

Reaver Ambush is an intriguing removal option within Magic: The Gathering, situating itself in a unique spot among cards that excel at taking out creatures. When compared to other removal spells like Murder, which outright destroys any creature at the cost of three mana including one black, Reaver Ambush offers a more restrictive yet mana-efficient alternative. While Reaver Ambush only targets a creature with power 3 or less, its lower mana cost of three black mana can be a strategic advantage in fast-paced formats where conserving mana is crucial.

Another similar card to take note of is Ultimate Price. This spell also has an efficient mana cost and removes a creature, but it is limited to creatures with single color. Unlike Reaver Ambush, which is constrained by the power of a creature, Ultimate Price’s restriction lies in the creature’s color identity, thereby highlighting a different tactical approach.

Evaluating these spells against Reaver Ambush, players must consider the nature of the creatures prevalent in their respective playing environments. Reaver Ambush can be particularly potent in a meta with numerous agile, low-power creatures. Such nuances affirm the essential role of contextual strategy in card selection in Magic: The Gathering.

Murder - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Reaver Ambush card offers the tactical benefit of surprise by removing an opponent’s creature from the battleground. This helps thin out the enemy’s card presence, providing you a strategic edge in future turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Reaver Ambush isn’t designed to boost your mana resources directly, its low mana cost facilitates a more efficient play strategy. This allows you to keep mana open for other crucial moves in the same turn or shortly after, essentially speeding up your momentum.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Reaver Ambush can be a game-changer. Its speed allows you to wait for the perfect moment to disrupt your opponent’s formation during their turn. Taking out a crucial creature when your opponent least expects it can swing the tide of the match in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reaver Ambush lacks any discard element, but this emphasizes its reliance on other cards to ensure your mana pool is utilized efficiently in a match.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands two black mana alongside one colorless, which can be restrictive. It essentially earmarks this removal spell for black-centric or two-color decks where mana fixing is less of a concern.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana to exile a creature with power 3 or less, it may feel pricey when simpler removal spells exist. Players conscious of their mana curve may seek alternatives that either cost less or offer greater flexibility.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reaver Ambush is a diverse tool, suitable for various black-centered decks that need a reliable removal option. It is particularly valuable in limited formats where creature removal is at a premium.

Combo Potential: While not a combo card in the traditional sense, Reaver Ambush can be integral in setting up the board for your larger threats by clearing out smaller blockers or potential threats from your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that is creature-centric, the ability to surreptitiously dissect an opponent’s field at instant speed positions Reaver Ambush as a card to consider for decks contending with creature-heavy opponents or aggro strategies.

How to beat

Reaver Ambush emerges as a crafty removal option within the Magic: The Gathering plane of response tactics. Quietly waiting in the shadows, it allows players to exile target creature with power 3 or less an instant speed which can swiftly shift the battlefield dynamics in your favor. However, savvy opponents know the art of dodging this clandestine trap.

Approaching Reaver Ambush begins with awareness. Creatures with power greater than 3 are downright immune to its reach. Strengthening your creatures or utilizing abilities like hexproof or indestructible can protect them from being exiled. In addition, cards that grant temporary boosts in power can deflect the ambush, making timing and power-level awareness critical.

To sum up, countering Reaver Ambush isn’t about evasion but about intelligent battlefield management and maintaining an army that outpowers its limitations. In a strategic game like Magic: The Gathering, Reaver Ambush demands respect but with thoughtful play and a robust lineup, its threat can be mitigated, and even turned to your advantage.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reaver Ambush MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Reaver Ambush and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reaver Ambush has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal