Relic Runner MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 62
2020-08-07 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Relic Runner can't be blocked if you've cast a historic spell this turn. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)
Her knack for tampering with wards got her kicked out of the academy, but they also got her back in.
Cards like Relic Runner
Relic Runner has carved its niche in the stealth archetype of Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the abilities found in cards like Mist-Cloaked Herald which is unblockable. However, Relic Runner stands out by requiring you to have cast a historic spell to gain that unblockable status. While Mist-Cloaked Herald is perpetually unblockable, Relic Runner can strategically be turned unblockable and is not just limited to the early turns.
Another parallel can be drawn with Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive, who ensures that creatures with power or toughness of 1 become unblockable. While Tetsuko applies this effect to potentially several creatures, Relic Runner guarantees its own evasion post-historic spell cast. This makes Relic Runner potentially more robust in a deck that leverages historic spells, showcasing its unique synergy.
In assessing these options, Relic Runner reveals itself as a versatile piece in decks that can reliably cast historic spells, providing both offense and tactical advantage. Its capacity to switch between being blockable or not gives it a distinct edge in MTG matches that hinge on precise timing and strategic creature maneuvering.
Cards similar to Relic Runner by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Relic Runner has the capability to sustain a continuous presence on the battlefield, contributing to an overall card advantage. It bypasses common stall tactics used by opponents, enabling a player to keep the pressure up without expending additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: While Relic Runner itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its low casting cost allows players to deploy other resources or spells more efficiently. This can be a subtle yet crucial advantage, especially in formats where tempo plays a significant role.
Instant Speed: Relic Runner’s ability to become unblockable until end of turn when you’ve cast a historic spell, which can include instants, artifacts, and legendary spells, gives it an edge at instant speed. This adaptability allows savvy players to make strategic plays during their turn or just before the opponent’s turn ends, effectively utilizing their mana and maintaining the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Relic Runner card doesn’t actually demand discarding from your hand, however, it’s essential to note that any synergies you might be aiming to build with discard mechanics will not be naturally complemented by this card.
Specific Mana Cost: Relic Runner requires one blue and one generic mana to cast, which means it fits primarily into decks with a strong blue mana base. For multi-colored decks or those that run on a tight mana curve, fitting Relic Runner could pose a challenge and disrupt the flow of play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a low casting cost creature at only two mana, in the competitive space of MTG, there are numerous two-cost creatures that might offer greater impact on the game state or possess more utility. Therefore, the mana investment in Relic Runner may not always correlate with a high payoff, especially in decks designed for high-level play.
Reasons to Include Relic Runner in Your Collection
Versatility: Relic Runner slides seamlessly into decks that appreciate evasive creatures. Its ability to be unblockable under certain conditions makes it a solid choice for strategies that aim to chip away at an opponent’s life total while bypassing defensive setups.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with historic spells, enhancing decks that favor artifacts, legendaries, or Sagas. Playing historic spells gives Relic Runner unblockable status, which can be exploited for various combo attacks or sneaky wins.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with a prevalence of non-creature spell-focused decks, Relic Runner stands out. It exploits the narrow window after playing a historic spell to deliver potentially game-winning damage unopposed, aligning perfectly with aggressive or tempo-based deck archetypes.
How to Beat Relic Runner
Relic Runner is an intriguing creature card in MTG with the ability to become unblockable whenever you’ve cast a historic spell. This can pose a strategic challenge, as the runner can slip past defenses to deal consistent damage or deliver pivotal spells with prowess. To efficiently counter this elusive threat, it is essential to preempt its activation conditions by limiting the historic spells your opponent can play.
Removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes, are particularly effective, as Relic Runner’s unblockability becomes irrelevant if it can never get onto the battlefield. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board indiscriminately, circumventing any protection the runner may have. Moreover, employing instant speed removal like Fatal Push when the runner is still blockable, or before a historic spell triggers its ability, helps manage this threat early on.
Keep in mind that counter spells also serve as formidable tools against historic spells that would enable the Relic Runner. Denying your opponent’s ability to play key spells not only stops the runner in its tracks but also stymies their overall game plan, securing you a strategic edge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Relic Runner MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Double Masters, 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 Relic Runner 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Relic Runner Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Relic Runner has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Relic Runner card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | Once Relic Runner has been blocked, casting a historic spell won't remove the blocking creature from combat or cause Relic Runner to become unblocked. |