Rishadan Footpad MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 94
2019-11-07 - Number 471
2020-09-26 - Number MMQ-94
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Rishadan Footpad comes into play, each opponent sacrifices a permanent unless he or she pays .
"The best things in life are free. Money, for instance."
Cards like Rishadan Footpad
Rishadan Footpad offers a unique experience on the battlefield that resonates with a subset of disruptive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Ravenous Rats, as both thrust an element of discard upon opponents. Yet, the Rishadan Footpad ups the ante by affecting not just the opponent’s hand but their board presence, requiring them to sacrifice a permanent unless they pay up.
Comparing it to Man-o’-War, another creature that disrupts opponent strategies, the Footpad strays from targeting creatures on entry and opts for a broader impact, allowing it to perturb any permanent type. Frost Lynx, akin to Man-o’-War, taps a creature on entry but both lack the economic influence exerted by Rishadan Footpad. The Footpad’s ability to potentially set back an opponent’s mana development or overall board development is a unique trait among these creatures.
Analyzing its place among disruptive creatures, Rishadan Footpad sets itself apart with a taxing effect that can shift the game’s economical balance. This card’s capability to demand payment or punish with permanents sacrifice places it in a distinctive position, harmonizing with strategies aiming to control the pace and resources of the opponent.
Cards similar to Rishadan Footpad by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rishadan Footpad’s enter-the-battlefield ability can set opponents back by making them sacrifice a permanent unless they pay a fee. This can undesirably affect their board presence, potentially giving you an edge in the resource race.
Resource Acceleration: Although Rishadan Footpad itself doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, disrupting an opponent’s mana base could indirectly accelerate your game plan by slowing theirs down. Ensuring that they have fewer resources can give you a comparative advantage, especially if you can leverage the tempo.
Instant Speed: While Rishadan Footpad isn’t an instant, its ability can be a pseudo surprise element when combined with flash-granting spells or effects. Dropping it in unexpectedly when your enemies’ resources are low can have a significant impact, akin to instant-speed disruption.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Rishadan Footpad forces each opponent to sacrifice a permanent unless they pay two mana, placing a potentially heavy burden on your opponents’ resources. However, this can be a double-edged sword as savvy opponents might strategically choose which permanent to sacrifice, potentially minimizing the Footpad’s impact, especially if they have expendable tokens or low-value permanents on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, Rishadan Footpad demands a dedicated color commitment. This can restrict deck-building options, particularly in multicolored decks that may have trouble consistently producing the necessary blue mana early in the game when the Footpad’s ability is most impactful.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of three mana, two of which must be blue, Rishadan Footpad comes at a high cost for a creature with only a 1/1 stat line. In a game where tempo is key, there are alternatives such as mana-efficient counterspells or removal spells that can offer immediate and more impactful board control for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Rishadan Footpad in Your Collection
Versatility: Rishadan Footpad stands out thanks to its flexibility. This card can be seamlessly integrated into decks that focus on control and disruption. As a creature that forces opponents to sacrifice a permanent upon entering the battlefield, it can easily disrupt your opponents’ board state.
Combo Potential: With the Footpad, you unlock significant combo potential. Its ability can be repeatedly triggered in decks that revolve around bouncing and replaying creatures. Combining it with cards that untap your lands or provide additional mana can lead to a powerful lockdown combo, systematically dismantling your opponent’s game plan.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamics of current gameplay, where resource advantage is key, Rishadan Footpad proves to be quite impactful. In an environment filled with ramp and dense board states, forcing an opponent to sacrifice a permanent can critically set them back. Its relevance grows in metas where setting opponents back can lead to a decisive victory.
How to beat
Rishadan Footpad is a unique card that can disrupt opponents by forcing them to sacrifice a permanent when it enters the battlefield. This effect, known as an “opponent sacrifice” effect, has both fans and critics within the Magic the Gathering community. The strategy to circumvent the Rishadan Footpad’s impact lies in preventive planning and effective reaction. Cards like Spell Pierce or Mana Leak can counter it upon casting, thus nullifying the sacrifice condition. Controlling the board state with removal spells can also keep your board position secure from such effects.
An alternative approach involves leveraging Rishadan Footpad’s ability to your advantage by utilizing cards that either benefit from being sacrificed or have effects when they die. Utilizing creatures with enter the battlefield abilities can help replenish the resources lost to the Footpad. Playing around the Footpad requires a combination of timing, board management, and a bit of clever deck building. It’s vital to stay ahead in resources and maintain a hand capable of intervention or recovery to minimize the impact of a Rishadan Footpad play.
Overall, preparing for the Rishadan Footpad’s trigger is key. With the right mix of counterspells, instant-speed interaction, and sacrificial fodder, you can effectively negate this pirate’s pesky presence on your voyage to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rishadan Footpad MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Mystery Booster, 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 Rishadan Footpad 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 Rishadan Footpad Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Adam Rex.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 471 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | MMQ-94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rishadan Footpad has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |