Reaver Drone MTG Card

Reaver Drone excels in aggressive decks, creating early pressure while demanding Eldrazi synergy. It offers a unique blend of card advantage and resource acceleration despite its casting cost. Its synergy with instant speed spells enhances turn efficiency for savvy MTG players.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Eldrazi Drone
Abilities	Devoid
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	76
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chris Rallis

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life unless you control another colorless creature.

Kozilek's brood infiltrates and deceives. The spawn of Ulamog mindlessly consume.

Cards like Reaver Drone

Reaver Drone is an intriguing piece within the aggressive creature line-up of Magic: The Gathering. This black creature—akin to the ruthless vampires and zombies of the Eldrazi set—shares a common ground with the likes of Pulse Tracker. Both cards excel at rapidly decreasing an opponent’s life total, which is key for any aggressive strategy focused on early gameplay advantage.

Delving into a similar category, we encounter cards such as Mardu Shadowspear. It also presses the advantage early on with its dash ability and deals damage upon attacking, akin to the Reaver Drone’s bleeding effect on each turn. Although Reaver Drone does not require mana to trigger its ability, unlike Mardu Shadowspear’s dash cost.

Then we compare it to Voracious Null, another card designed for fast-paced, aggressive decks. The Null presents a different twist with its sacrificial mechanic, enabling it to grow stronger over time, unlike Reaver Drone, which has a static power and toughness. It highlights the consideration players must have between consistent damage output and potential growth in the battlefield.

As we peel back the layers of deck-building strategies, Reaver Drone stands out for those seeking immediate pressure on the opponent, securing its spot as a formidable aggressor in Magic: The Gathering’s assortment of early-game creatures.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Reaver Drone. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Mono-Black Aggro	Pioneer	Eldrazi	UOL MKM Pioneer League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reaver Drone offers a unique perspective on card advantage. While it doesn’t provide traditional card draw, its mere presence can pressure your opponent, potentially forcing them to play around it or expend resources to answer it, indirectly contributing to your card efficiency in matches.

Resource Acceleration: In the right deck build, particularly those focusing on Eldrazi and aggressive strategies, Reaver Drone can serve as a formidable one-drop creature. While it doesn’t directly accelerate your mana pool, its low casting cost accelerates your board presence, allowing you to apply pressure early in the game which can be crucial for tempo and resource allocation.

Instant Speed: Although Reaver Drone itself is not an instant, its synergy with instant speed interaction should be noted. Easily slotted into decks that wish to keep mana open for instant speed removal or disruption, this creature allows you to develop your board while still holding up interactive plays—maximizing the potential of your turn sequences.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reaver Drone demands a player to keep an Eldrazi on the field or face the penalty of life loss, which could be constraining if your board is empty.

Specific Mana Cost: Reaver Drone requires a solid commitment to black mana, which might not always align with multi-colored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not extremely costly, in fast-paced games, allocating one black mana for a 1/1 creature might not provide the strategic edge needed, especially compared to other one-drop options.

Reasons to Include Reaver Drone in Your Collection

Versatility: Reaver Drone’s low mana cost makes it a swift addition to any aggressive black deck, looking to put pressure on opponents right from the start of the game.

Combo Potential: As part of the Eldrazi tribe, this card pairs well with other Eldrazi or cards that capitalize on colorless creatures, potentially unlocking powerful synergies in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies thrive, Reaver Drone can serve as a critical piece in a fast-paced, creature-heavy archetype that aims to dominate the early game and rapidly deplete opponent life totals.

How to beat

Reaver Drone is a powerful card that commands attention on the battlefield within the Eldrazi-dominated Oath of the Gatewatch set. This agile Devoid creature comes out swinging for a notable early game impact, especially in aggressive black decks. With a striking 2/1 stat line for just one black mana, it can start dealing damage right from turn one. Despite its offensive prowess, the Reaver Drone comes with a downside that can be exploited — in the absence of another colorless creature, it will sap your life during your upkeep.

Countering Reaver Drone effectively requires a strategy that mitigates the early game aggression it brings. Removal spells, even as simple as Shock or Fatal Push , can quickly dispatch Reaver Drone before it inflicts significant damage. Alternatively, putting up a strong defensive creature to block it can nullify its attack and force its controller to deal with the upkeep disadvantage. In a broader sense, controlling the pace of the game and keeping the battlefield clear of other colorless creatures makes Reaver Drone a liability rather than an asset for your opponent.

Mastering the dance of control and aggression is crucial when facing off against potent cards like Reaver Drone. Understanding its strengths and vulnerabilities can turn the tides of the game in your favor, making it an insightful exercise for dedicated players to refine their deckbuilding and in-game strategies.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reaver Drone MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Drone and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reaver Drone has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reaver Drone card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-01-22	Whether you control another colorless creature is checked as the ability resolves. This check will happen even if Reaver Drone leaves the battlefield in response to the ability.