Grim Roustabout MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Skeleton Warrior
Abilities	Unleash
Released	2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Return to Ravnica
Set code	RTR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	68
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steven Belledin

Key Takeaways

Grim Roustabout’s regeneration sustains board presence, countering typical removal and combat damage.
Mana specifications and the discard requirement can restrict play, particularly in diverse mana decks.
Potential for synergies makes it a compelling choice for players building resilience-centric black-red decks.

Text of card

Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.) : Regenerate Grim Roustabout.

He'll point you to your death row seats.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grim Roustabout brings a welcomed resilience thanks to its regenerate ability. This ensures that you can maintain board presence by protecting your creature from what would normally be a trade-off or removal, effectively saving your resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t directly accelerate resources, Grim Roustabout’s multi-color identity can be leveraged in decks that benefit from having a diverse array of colored permanents on the battlefield, aiding strategies that rely upon this.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not instant speed, its regenerate ability can be activated at instant speed. This gives you the strategic advantage of deciding during combat or in response to a spell if you want to save Grim Roustabout, keeping opponents uncertain about the final outcome of their actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grim Roustabout mandates you to sacrifice another creature, which might not be feasible if you’re playing with a limited board presence or wish to maintain other synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and red mana, Grim Roustabout can sometimes strain your mana base, particularly in multi-colored decks that might need more flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With numerous two-cost creatures available, the three mana investment for Grim Roustabout can be weighty considering its accompanying abilities, prompting players to opt for more efficient alternatives.

Reasons to Include Grim Roustabout in Your Collection

Versatility: Grim Roustabout offers a remarkable flexibility for black-red-themed decks. Its ability to gain regeneration makes it a resilient choice for matches where board stability is paramount.

Combo Potential: This card has noteworthy synergy with strategies that leverage the undying mechanic, or those that utilize +1/+1 counters to bolster creatures, making it a sneaky asset for combo enthusiasts.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Grim Roustabout stands out as a useful addition, capable of surviving multiple combat encounters, thus contributing to maintaining a solid presence on the battlefield.

How to beat

Grim Roustabout presents a resilient threat on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in formats where low-cost creatures thrive. What sets this creature apart is its regeneration ability, making it a persistent nuisance. To effectively counter Grim Roustabout, one must look beyond direct damage spells that typically handle creature threats.

Instead, consider cards that impose conditions Grim Roustabout can’t regenerate from, such as exile effects or spells like Path to Exile. Utilizing board wipes like Wrath of God, which don’t target individual creatures and prevent regeneration, can also clear the path. Dealing with this creature often requires a strategic shift, focusing on removal that circumvents its built-in defenses or deploying creatures that can overtake it in power and toughness, outclassing it in combat without the need to trigger its regeneration.

Ultimately, handling Grim Roustabout effectively hinges on adapting one’s removal toolbox to include answers that bypass its regenerative capabilities. By doing so, you diminish its value on the board and mitigate the impact of its otherwise frustrating resilience.

Cards like Grim Roustabout

Grim Roustabout offers a unique proposition for black-red decks in MTG. Its similarities can be drawn to creatures such as Rakdos Shred-Freak, which also delivers a hit for two damage with haste. Grim Roustabout sets itself apart with its regenerate ability – an option that isn’t available to Rakdos Shred-Freak and can keep it on the battlefield longer.

Another comparable card is Splatter Thug, which presents an interesting contrast. While both cards are from the Rakdos guild, Splatter Thug has the unleash ability, allowing it to enter the battlefield with an extra +1/+1 counter. However, unlike Grim Roustabout, Splatter Thug cannot regenerate, providing a unique trade-off between raw power and resilience.

In discerning the nuances of these creatures, Grim Roustabout can be appreciated for its blend of aggression and staying power, ensuring it maintains a role in the challenging metagame of MTG. Whether you prioritize impact or endurance, this card brings a balance that caters to different strategic approaches.

Cards similar to Grim Roustabout by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grim Roustabout MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Grim Roustabout and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grim Roustabout has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	A creature with unleash can’t block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability.
2013-04-15	Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that’s already blocking won’t remove it from combat. It will continue to block.
2013-04-15	The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from.
2013-04-15	You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it’s entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example.