Jungleborn Pioneer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Scout
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage by ushering in a useful 1/1 Merfolk Hexproof token alongside itself.
  2. Enables resource development by existing synergies with creatures and mana ramp tactics.
  3. Presents immediate value, akin to instant-speed effects, enriching board state without delay.

Text of card

When Jungleborn Pioneer enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token with hexproof. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)

"We fought so long to hide this place. Let us be first to learn its wonders!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jungleborn Pioneer doesn’t just bring its own 2/2 body into play; it also comes with a 1/1 blue Merfolk Hexproof token. This essentially counts as two creatures for the price of one card, giving you a leg up in board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Jungleborn Pioneer itself doesn’t directly ramp your mana, its dual creature presence can synergize with cards that tap creatures for mana or benefit from having multiple creatures on the battlefield, indirectly accelerating your resource development.

Instant Speed: Although not at instant speed, Jungleborn Pioneer’s immediate effect when it enters the battlefield is akin to getting an extra creature instantly — without the need for additional mana or turns to engage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The presence of Jungleborn Pioneer in your deck may necessitate holding onto specific cards to enable a synergistic play, reducing your flexibility to utilize your hand freely and potentially causing you to discard other valuable cards to maintain board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both green and blue mana, which can be restrictive for decks not committed to a Simic (green-blue) color combination, potentially limiting deck-building options and impacting mana base consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Jungleborn Pioneer provides you with a body and a token upon entering the battlefield, its combined mana cost of three can be considered high when compared with other two or three-drop creatures that may offer higher individual power, toughness, or additional abilities that impact the board immediately.


Reasons to Include Jungleborn Pioneer Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Jungleborn Pioneer is an adaptable card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds, particularly those that thrive on creature-based strategies. With the ability to immediately bolster your board presence with an additional 1/1 blue Merfolk Hexproof token, this card proves its worth in both offensive and defensive positions.

Combo Potential: The Hexproof token generated by Jungleborn Pioneer presents interesting synergies, especially in decks revolving around token multiplication or those that capitalize on the Hexproof ability to evade targeted removal. It can be a key piece in assembling formidable combos that can overwhelm your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and immediate dual creature output, Jungleborn Pioneer holds its own in a variety of metas. It’s particularly effective in a meta where quick creature development is key to success, allowing you to maintain or regain board control against an array of competitive decks.


How to beat

Jungleborn Pioneer is a card that presents its own unique challenges on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to bring a 1/1 blue Merfolk Hexproof token into play, it poses a strategic problem, especially in decks built around Merfolk synergies. The Hexproof ability of the token makes it resistant to targeted removal, which can be frustrating to overcome.

One approach to tackle Jungleborn Pioneer is to utilize spells or abilities that affect the entire board, bypassing the Hexproof protection. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation are effective as they do not target individual creatures. Sweepers are your ally against the Pioneer’s resilience.

Additionally, controlling opponent’s tokens before they become a problem is key. Deploying cards like Echoing Truth can bounce multiple copies of the same token, mitigating the value from Jungleborn Pioneer. In a situation where the token is already buffed or presenting a threat on its own, countering the buffs or utilizing mass-bounce spells such as River’s Rebuke could reset the opponent’s board to a more manageable state.

Always remember that Jungleborn Pioneer’s strength lies in its role in a collective strategy, not in isolation. Target the synergies, not just the creatures, and you’ll dismantle the Pioneer’s effectiveness in your MTG matches.


Cards like Jungleborn Pioneer

In the lush world of Magic: The Gathering, Jungleborn Pioneer stands out as a creature that immediately makes an impact on the board. Its ability to bring a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token with hexproof along when it enters the battlefield draws a parallel to cards like Call the Cavalry, which creates two 2/2 white Knight creature tokens with vigilance. While the Knights are stronger, Jungleborn Pioneer’s Merfolk token is less vulnerable, thanks to hexproof.

Exploring further, we have cards such as Queen’s Commission that also creates two 1/1 white Vampire creature tokens with lifelink. This lifelink can give players an edge in health, yet the tokens are not shielded by hexproof, making them more susceptible to targeted removal compared to Jungleborn Pioneer’s token. Another kindred card is Selesnya Evangel, which can consistently churn out 1/1 green and white Saproling creature tokens. Although Selesnya Evangel has the potential for multiple tokens, Jungleborn Pioneer has the advantage of instant value with its two creatures on entry.

Jungleborn Pioneer may not generate an army like some token strategies, but its potent mix of immediate board presence and protective hexproof makes it a distinctive option among creature-generating cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Call the Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Queen's Commission - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Evangel - MTG Card versions
Call the Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Queen's Commission - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Evangel - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jungleborn Pioneer MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and The List, 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 Jungleborn Pioneer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jungleborn Pioneer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2018-01-19. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 1372015NormalBlackScott Murphy
22020-09-26The ListPLST RIX-1372015NormalBlackScott Murphy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jungleborn Pioneer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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