Reckless Racer MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 95
2021-08-26 - Number 501
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Pilot |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
First strike Whenever Reckless Racer becomes tapped, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
Illegal street races turned out to be perfect practice for avoiding Consulate patrols.
Cards like Reckless Racer
Reckless Racer has carved a unique niche among vehicles and aggression enablers within the MTG realm. What makes it enticing is the blend of prowess with rummaging, as one might find in cards like Mad Prophet. The difference lies within Reckless Racer’s ability to engage in combat as a creature or as an equipment to boost another creature, unlike Mad Prophet who only functions as a creature. Another comparable card is Daredevil Dragster, which also embodies the vehicular aggression but doesn’t offer the repeatable rummaging post-combat that Reckless Racer does.
Likewise, Speedway Fanatic carries the haste trait which is pivotal in aggressive strategies, but it lacks the rummaging ability of Reckless Racer that helps cycle through the deck. Then there’s Smuggler’s Copter, widely recognized for its efficiency and evasion in combat yet at a higher value than Reckless Racer. While Smuggler’s Copter offers consistent looting, the Racer’s potential of activating every combat phase provides a dynamic that might be more favorable in decks encouraging frequent skirmishes.
Assessing the agility and utility Reckless Racer provides against its relatives, its versatility in both roles fulfills a distinct position in MTG decks focused on combat tricks and card advantage.
Cards similar to Reckless Racer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reckless Racer provides a consistent card filtering mechanism. Each time the racer becomes tapped, not necessarily only by attacking, you get to draw a card and then discard a card. This allows you to sift through your deck, maintaining a flow of resources and improving the quality of the cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Reckless Racer doesn’t directly generate mana, its synergy with discard-related mechanics can be a form of indirect resource acceleration. By discarding cards with Madness or reanimating discarded creatures, you effectively utilize your graveyard as a resource pool, thus speeding up your gameplay.
Instant Speed: While Reckless Racer itself isn’t an instant, its ability can be triggered during your opponents’ turns. Crewing a vehicle with Reckless Racer to tap it outside of your turn can provide card filtering at instant speed, allowing you to be more flexible and responsive during the course of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Reckless Racer’s ability hinges on discarding a card. This could hinder your hand, especially in critical turns where every card counts, leaving you at a disadvantage when resources are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: The red mana cost of Reckless Racer may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored decks, which can hamper its flexibility. Playing this card demands commitment to red mana, which might not align with all strategic deck constructions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other cards at a lower mana value offering similar or better advantages, Reckless Racer’s cost effectiveness comes into question. Players often seek out the most mana-efficient cards to optimize their gameplay, and the mana investment in Reckless Racer might not always yield the expected returns.
Reasons to Include Reckless Racer in Your Collection
Versatility: Reckless Racer is a card that can easily find a place in various red decks, especially those focusing on vehicle synergy or discard strategies. Its ability to draw cards whenever it becomes tapped gives you value each time it crews a vehicle.
Combo Potential: Its discard and draw ability has excellent synergy with madness or graveyard-based strategies. You can toss extra lands or unused cards to enable graveyard play or trigger madness costs for additional effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing field where aggressive strategies are valued, Reckless Racer can shine by providing both a steady beatdown and card selection to maintain pressure on opponents. Its solid two-power for three mana lets it crew most vehicles keeping it relevant in the metagame.
How to beat
Reckless Racer is an intriguing card in MTG, offering players the ability to discard and draw cards while staying aggressive on the battlefield. This red Human Pilot can become an annoyance if left unchecked, thanks to its capacity to refine the player’s hand each time it becomes tapped.
To effectively counter Reckless Racer, it’s important to limit its combat opportunities. Deploying creatures with higher toughness can create a formidable barrier that renders the Racer’s attacks futile. Removal spells are also highly effective, allowing you to eliminate the threat before the opponent can extract significant value from the looting ability. Incapacitating effects or spells that prevent the racer from attacking or tapping can stall the opponent’s strategy further, making it difficult for them to cycle through their deck.
In essence, the key to outpacing Reckless Racer lies in strategic suppression of its abilities. Through a blend of control and disruption, you can inhibit the card’s impact and maintain the upper hand. Each well-placed counteraction intertwines to dismantle the potential card advantage the Racer provides, ensuring your opponent’s momentum stays in check.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reckless Racer MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Racer and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Reckless Racer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 501 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reckless Racer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reckless Racer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | For the ability to trigger, Reckless Racer has to actually change from untapped to tapped. If an effect attempts to tap it, but it was already tapped at the time, this ability won’t trigger. |
| 2017-02-09 | This is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn’t allow you to tap Reckless Racer whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of tapping it, such as by attacking or crewing a Vehicle. |