Reckless Cohort MTG Card

Reckless Cohort enhances board presence quickly due to its low mana cost and aggressive nature. It demands another Ally to be effective, which can be limiting in certain deck compositions. Strategic removal of Allies can neutralize Reckless Cohort’s attack advantage in gameplay.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Warrior Ally
Released	2015-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Battle for Zendikar
Set code	BFZ
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	152
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Volkan Baǵa

Text of card

Reckless Cohort attacks each combat if able unless you control another Ally.

"You have a family. Mine died at Sea Gate. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine."

Exploring the Mechanics of Reckless Cohort in MTG

In the robust archives of Magic the Gathering, the Reckless Cohort stands out with its unique dynamics among creature cards. This creature card is reminiscent of other aggressive cards designed to favor attacking over defensive maneuvers. Reckless Cohort, specifically, is tailored to synergize with a battlefield populated by other warriors, introducing a stipulation that requires it to attack each turn if able and you control another Ally.

Cards like Reckless Cohort

The Reckless Cohort card is an interesting inclusion in MTG’s legions of offensive minions. It shares aspects with a card like Mardu Scout, which also possesses a pressing need to attack and thrives on an aggressive strategy. The difference lies in Mardu Scout’s Dash ability, allowing flexibility in how and when it comes into play. However, Reckless Cohort offers consistency as it doesn’t necessitate a mana payment each turn to engage in combat when paired with other Allies.

Another analogous card is Goblin Cohort, which presents a similar aggression clause, but its requirement to have cast another creature spell that turn can sometimes be a limitation compared to the ally-focused condition of Reckless Cohort. Ultimately, for players wielding Ally-themed decks, Reckless Cohort’s aggression is not a downside but a strategic tool that meshes well with MTG’s myriad of Ally-supporting cards and effects.

Cards similar to Reckless Cohort by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reckless Cohort doesn’t directly offer card advantage, but it’s often not alone on the battlefield. Playing this card strengthens your army, especially if you have other Allies to support it, indirectly leading to potential card advantage through synergy.

Resource Acceleration: While Reckless Cohort is not designed to provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, its low mana cost can accelerate your board presence, allowing you to build up your forces quickly and put pressure on your opponent early in the game.

Instant Speed: Reckless Cohort is a creature, so it doesn’t cast at instant speed. However, its aggressive nature can complement instant speed removal or combat tricks, offering a tactical dimension to your gameplay and providing unexpected advantages during the combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reckless Cohort’s performance depends on having another Ally on the field, which can be a demanding condition, especially when you’re short on creatures or facing removal-heavy decks.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires one red mana, Reckless Cohort’s deck compatibility is narrowed, typically fitting best within red or Ally-focused decks, potentially restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a common creature card with its stats, Reckless Cohort’s cost may appear steep, especially when evaluating its required conditions and the payoff one gets in terms of battlefield presence and pressure.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reckless Cohort is flexible enough to support various aggressive strategies, fitting seamlessly into red ally decks or any build that values strong early board presence.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with other ally creatures, bolstering its attack power. It synergizes well with mechanics like rally, which reward you for having a wide board of allied creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where quick, offense-oriented decks are flourishing, Reckless Cohort can be a crucial asset, delivering consistent pressure on the opponent from the onset of the game.

How to Beat

Reckless Cohort stands out in a deck for its conditional aggression, yet its strength comes with a strategic vulnerability. This ally creature can only attack if you control another Ally, which becomes a hinge point in facing it. To gain the upper hand, focus on removing other Allies, rendering Reckless Cohort’s attack clause ineffective. You can achieve this by utilizing targeted removal spells, board wipes, or by simply outpacing your opponent’s Ally plays.

Despite its zeal, the Cohort falls prey to spells across all colors: from red’s direct damage, blue’s countermagic and bounce effects, to black’s fatal removal. Even without resorting to spells, trading creatures in combat serves as a practical tactic. By keeping the battlefield Ally-free, opponents are left with an inert Reckless Cohort, unable to declare attacks, and hence not a threat to your life total.

Striking a balance between offense and defense ensures your triumph over the zealous nature of Reckless Cohort. Thoughtful removal and judicious board control can neutralize this potentially aggressive creature, demonstrating that disciplined strategy often triumphs over recklessness in Magic: The Gathering gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reckless Cohort MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Reckless Cohort and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reckless Cohort has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2015-08-25	If, during its controller’s declare attackers step, that player doesn’t control another Ally but Reckless Cohort is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or hasn’t been under that player’s control continuously since the turn began (and doesn’t have haste), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having Reckless Cohort attack, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost. If they don’t, Reckless Cohort doesn’t have to attack.
2015-08-25	Reckless Cohort can attack if you control another Ally. It just isn’t forced to.
2015-08-25	Reckless Cohort checks whether you control another Ally as attacking creatures are declared. At that time, if you don’t, Reckless Cohort attacks if able.