Forerunner of the Empire MTG Card


Forerunner of the Empire - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number102
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDan Scott

Key Takeaways

  1. Forerunner of the Empire provides card advantage by tutoring key Dinosaur cards directly to your hand.
  2. Its ability can shape the battlefield, but requires strategic use to prevent self-sabotage.
  3. The card’s unique trait keeps it relevant in diverse MTG gameplay and meta environments.

Text of card

When Forerunner of the Empire enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a Dinosaur card, reveal it, then shuffle your library and put that card on top of it. Whenever a Dinosaur enters the battlefield under your control, you may have Forerunner of the Empire deal 1 damage to each creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Forerunner of the Empire Mtg Card kick-starts a chain of beneficial effects that greatly grants card advantage. This Dinosaur tutor effect lets you search your library for a Dinosaur card, getting key creatures to your hand whenever you need them.

Resource Acceleration: This card works as a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, amplifying your resources. It triggers the Dinosaur cards, building up damage and accelerating your game, turning your creatures into significant threats.

Instant Speed: Although not at instant speed, the Forerunner of the Empire Mtg Card can provoke immediate effects as it enters the battlefield before your opponents can react. This is particularly beneficial in games where timing is crucial, enabling you to maximize actions just before your turn ends.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Forerunner of the Empire does not have an inherent Discard Requirement. However, its main ability can decimate your field if used thoughtlessly, acting as a pseudo discard that can run you quickly out of resources if you’re not careful.

Specific Mana Cost: Forerunner of the Empire demands a specific mana cost, which includes a red mana. This limitation hampers its applicability, confining it primarily to red or multi-color decks boasting red. If your MTG deck is missing these colors, the card becomes essentially unplayable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Valued at four mana, including specific color condition brings Forerunner of the Empire to a comparatively high mana cost. This pricey investment may deter some players, especially when there are other cards within MTG that provide a similar or even stronger effect for less resource expenditure. Forerunner may prove to be more of a liability when one considers cost-benefit relation, especially during early or crucial turning points in your game.


Reasons to Include Forerunner of the Empire in Your Collection

Versatility: Forerunner of the Empire is highly adaptable. This creature can be slotted into many deck types, most notably those that gain from creatures dying or the triggering of Enrage abilities. It’s this versatility that makes the card a worthwhile fit in any collector’s deck.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to deal with damage to creatures opens up a plethora of combo opportunities. When used wisely, it can trigger multiple dinosaur abilities in a single turn, setting off chain reactions that can tip the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Forerunner of the Empire stays relevant in the current meta with its unique trait of manipulating the board state to your advantage. The card holds its own against an array of strategies, making it a viable option in a diverse set of matchups.


How to beat

Forerunner of the Empire serves as a powerful tool in the MTG realm, particularly in decks built around the dinosaur subtype due to its unique ability to search and damage. Despite this, certain tactics can effectively render it inactive. Key in such situations is the crafty utilization of instant speed removal spells. For example, consider incorporating spells such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt into your deck. These cards afford the chance to swiftly answer any impending threats that the Forerunner of the Empire’s triggered ability might pose.

Also, employing creatures with enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects can be a viable strategy. Cards such as Ravenous Chupacabra and Reflector Mage, which remove or bounce creatures once they enter the battlefield, are quite potent. In essence, these creatures immediately deal with Forerunner of the Empire before its ability has the opportunity to generate value.

Ultimately, understanding and counteracting Forerunner of the Empire boils down to strategic deck construction and timely card play. Notably, the more instantaneous your response, the less chance Forerunner of the Empire has of causing significant harm to your gameplan.


BurnMana Recommendations

In your journey through the diverse world of MTG, the Forerunner of the Empire emerges as a distinctive card worth considering for any strategic deck builder. Its ability to leverage Dinosaur synergies and manipulate the battlefield can be a substantial advantage, swiftly turning the tide of combat in your favor. The card embodies versatility, interacting with a multitude of strategies while fitting seamlessly into your existing collection. Understanding its strengths and potential drawbacks is key to harnessing its full potential. Dive deeper with us, optimize your deck-building skills, and discover new horizons in MTG gameplay. Let’s enhance your experience and guide your path to victory.


Cards like Forerunner of the Empire

The Forerunner of the Empire is a unique component in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest comparative would be to cards such as Polyraptor, that also yield significant advantages when damaged. However, Forerunner of the Empire interrupts the similarity here, as it uniquely allows damage to all creatures on the board potentially causing a chain reaction of events. On the other hand, Polyraptor lacks this all-encompassing impact and only spawns a new Polyraptor when injured.

Notably, the Ripjaw Raptor exhibits parallels with both cards, as it too benefits from taking damage, bestowing its controller with the opportunity to draw a card. Though its cost is lower, it fails to cause an impact on other creatures on the board. Simultaneously, it doesn’t multiply itself like Polyraptor or affect all creatures like Forerunner of the Empire.

To summarize, when evaluating the unique properties and beneficial features of similar cards, Forerunner of the Empire stands strong among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, primarily owing to its remarkable ability to influence all creatures on the battleground and potentially create beneficial chain reactions.

Polyraptor - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Polyraptor - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Forerunner of the Empire MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Forerunner of the Empire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Forerunner of the Empire has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-01-19 If an effect refers to a “
-ubtype] spell” or “
-ubtype] card,” it refers only to a spell or card that has that subtype. For example, March of the Drowned is a card that benefits Pirates and features Pirates in its illustration, but it isn’t a Pirate card.

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