Rakdos Keyrune MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Multifunctionality makes Rakdos Keyrune a flexible pick, providing card advantage and resource acceleration.
  2. Its ability to turn into a creature with instant speed grants strategic defense and attack opportunities.
  3. Despite being mana-specific and possibly less efficient, its versatility justifies inclusion in diverse decks.

Text of card

: Add or to your mana pool. : Rakdos Keyrune becomes a 3/1 black and red Devil artifact creature with first strike until end of turn.

The Rakdos use it for everything you can think of and plenty more than that.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rakdos Keyrune acts as a multifunctional tool, offering both mana fixing and conversion into a creature. This makes it a modest yet impactful source of advantage, as it can respond to various in-game demands without costing an extra card.

Resource Acceleration: The keyrune aids in resource acceleration by providing an additional mana source, specifically tapping for either black or red mana. This helps in casting high-cost cards earlier than usual or facilitating multicolor deck strategies.

Instant Speed: Though Rakdos Keyrune is activated at sorcery speed, its transformation into a creature can be strategically timed. This attribute allows it to dodge sorcery-speed removal while threatening to become a creature that’s always ready to attack or block when the need arises.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Requiring a player to shed a valuable card from their hand, the Rakdos Keyrune demands a strategic balance, which may backfire if your options are already thin on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The Rakdos Keyrune demands a precise combination of black and red mana. This mana specificity can often be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks craving versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other mana rocks and accelerants available in the vast universe of MTG, the Keyrune’s cost efficiency is under scrutiny. Its mana investment might not always align with your deck’s curve or its competitive pace.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rakdos Keyrune serves dual purposes, acting as both mana acceleration and a potential creature. This allows it to fit into a variety of deck strategies, bolstering mana when needed or becoming an aggressive creature that’s hard to block thanks to its first strike ability.

Combo Potential: With its ability to transform into a creature, Rakdos Keyrune can seamlessly integrate into decks that capitalize on creature-based synergies or artifact strategies. It’s an enabler for sacrifice outlets, or for any strategy that capitalizes on temporary creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that values flexibility, Rakdos Keyrune offers just that. It’s relevant in metas where artifacts are prevalent or against decks that struggle to deal with creatures that have first strike, offering strategic advantages during key matchups.


How to beat

Rakdos Keyrune is an artifact card that forges its identity within the multicolor landscapes of MTG. Known for its ability to become a 3/1 black and red Devil creature with first strike until end of turn, the Rakdos Keyrune adds depth to the board state. With its conversion from mana rock to aggressive creature, opposing players must strategize thoughtfully.

To counteract Rakdos Keyrune, removal spells that don’t target creatures exclusively become essential. Artifact destruction spells are particularly potent as they can get rid of the Keyrune while it’s still a noncreature artifact. Naturalize, Disenchant, and Abrade are sturdy options within the palette of removal spells, each able to dismantle the Rakdos Keyrune efficiently before it can transform and utilize its first strike ability.

Timing is critical when facing down the Keyrune. Swift intervention can prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand, diminishing their ability to pivot between mana support and offensive fronts. Keeping a keen eye on maintaining card advantage and mana efficiency ensures the Rakdos Keyrune will not dominate the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the delicate balance of mana acceleration and versatile threats in MTG is crucial for optimizing your deck. The Rakdos Keyrune stands out as a card that adapts to various situations, offering both a source of mana and a formidable creature on the battlefield. If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth this card adds, we encourage you to explore further. Evaluate if the unique dynamics of Rakdos Keyrune align with your play style and deck needs. Ready to tweak your deck with this adaptable mana rock? Dive deeper with us for insights and strategies to harness the full potential of Rakdos Keyrune in your MTG collection.


Cards like Rakdos Keyrune

The Rakdos Keyrune occupies a niche space in Magic: The Gathering as both a mana artifact and a creature, somewhat akin to cards like Dimir Keyrune. Both grant an additional mana of specific colors, but the Rakdos Keyrune offers a twist by turning into a 3/1 creature with first strike until end of turn. Dimir Keyrune instead becomes a 2/2 creature with the added advantage of being unblockable.

Another card worth comparing is the Azorius Keyrune, which transforms into a 2/2 blue and white Bird artifact creature with flying. This gives it evasion, akin to the Rakdos Keyrune’s first-strike ability, providing a form of combat advantage. However, the Rakdos Keyrune’s higher power output during its transformation allows for a more aggressive playstyle, contrasting with the more defensive capabilities of the Azorius version.

Each Keyrune card caters to different strategies within the game, making the Rakdos Keyrune particularly appealing for players looking to add some aggressive and flexible options to their arsenal. It might not have the same level of subtlety or defensive utility as other Keyrunes, but its raw power and quick transformation make it a formidable asset.

Dimir Keyrune - MTG Card versions
Azorius Keyrune - MTG Card versions
Dimir Keyrune - Gatecrash (GTC)
Azorius Keyrune - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Cards similar to Rakdos Keyrune by color, type and mana cost

Bloodstone Cameo - MTG Card versions
Veinfire Borderpost - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Cluestone - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan Monument - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Locket - MTG Card versions
Ravager's Mace - MTG Card versions
Flamewar, Brash Veteran // Flamewar, Streetwise Operative - MTG Card versions
Bloodstone Cameo - Invasion (INV)
Veinfire Borderpost - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Rakdos Cluestone - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Kolaghan Monument - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Rakdos Locket - Commander 2019 (C19)
Ravager's Mace - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)
Flamewar, Brash Veteran // Flamewar, Streetwise Operative - Transformers (BOT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakdos Keyrune MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Rakdos Keyrune and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rakdos Keyrune Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 2322003normalblackDaniel Ljunggren
22019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 752015normalblackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rakdos Keyrune has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-04-15 Activating the ability that turns the Keyrune into a creature while it’s already a creature will override any effects that set its power and/or toughness to another number, but effects that modify power and/or toughness without directly setting them will still apply.
2013-04-15 Until the ability that turns the Keyrune into a creature resolves, the Keyrune is colorless.

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