Relentless Raptor MTG Card


Relentless Raptor - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Vigilance
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number169
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatt Stewart

Key Takeaways

  1. Vigilant nature offers strategic board control, enhancing tempo without direct card advantage or resource acceleration.
  2. Aggressive mana colors may limit versatility, while a forced combat stance can deplete resources and dictate play style.
  3. Early game presence and consistent combat engagement make it a solid choice for decks that capitalize on aggression.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance Relentless Raptor attacks or blocks each combat if able.

As the battle for Orazca unfolded, the contenders discovered that others had already staked a claim.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Relentless Raptor itself doesn’t directly provide card draw, its vigilant nature offers strategic board presence, effectively deterring opponents from attacking and thereby preserving your hand by mitigating the necessity for blocking or using spells prematurely.

Resource Acceleration: The Raptor isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration but its cost-efficient 2/2 body for two mana allows for an aggressive start, giving you the upper hand in tempo and leaving more mana available for other actions.

Instant Speed: Although the raptor operates at sorcery speed, its vigilance enables it to stay ready both after attacking and during an opponent’s turn. This flexibility aligns well with instant-speed spells in your deck, keeping your options open to respond to threats even after committing the Relentless Raptor to the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Relentless Raptor doesn’t directly ask for a card to be discarded, it encourages an aggressive play style that can deplete a player’s hand quickly, potentially leaving them without sufficient resources to maintain pressure or respond to an opponent’s strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This dinosaur requires both red and white mana for casting, which may not align with every strategy. Decks that do not run these colors or those that struggle with mana fixing may find the Raptor to be unwieldy or uncastable, thereby reducing its overall versatility in a player’s arsenal.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it boasts a balanced cost-to-power ratio, Relentless Raptor’s requirement of two mana—one red and one white—can be steep early in the game for a 3/3 creature. In some scenarios, players may opt for creatures or spells that offer more utility or have a stronger board presence for the same or a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Relentless Raptor in Your Collection

Versatility: The Relentless Raptor is a solid pick for various deck builds due to its balanced attack and defense. As a 2-cost creature, it serves as an excellent early game presence that can impact the board quickly. Its requirement to attack or block each combat ensures constant engagement, making it a robust choice for aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This dinosaur synergizes well with cards that benefit from frequent combat engagement. Use it to your advantage in decks that leverage enrage mechanics or trigger abilities on attacking and blocking, offering a myriad of combo possibilities that can quickly turn the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that favors aggressive play, the Relentless Raptor shines. With decks often needing to establish early board presence to succeed, the reliability of this vigilant creature makes it a meta-relevant addition to your toolkit, ready to hold the line or press the attack as the situation demands.


How to beat Relentless Raptor

Relentless Raptor presents a unique challenge in Magic the Gathering, as a 3/3 creature that must attack or block each combat if able. Its vigilant nature makes it a consistent threat, never having to tap to attack, thus always being ready to block. To counter this, consider using spells that can bypass its compulsory combat participation. Look at removal cards that can target it before the combat phase begins, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, effectively dealing with it before it can assert pressure on the board.

Another strategy is to exploit its forced blocking requirement. By attacking with a creature that has a beneficial effect upon dealing combat damage to a player, the Raptor’s controller is put in a difficult position. They might have to choose between taking damage or potentially losing their Raptor. Also, creatures with deathtouch are excellent at deterring the Raptor from blocking or ensuring it will be a one-and-done encounter. To play around Relentless Raptor, consider the timing of your spells and creatures’ abilities to limit its impact and ensure it doesn’t dictate the pace of the match.


Cards like Relentless Raptor

Relentless Raptor is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering, echoing features found in fellow Boros Legion cards. As a 2/2 creature for just two mana, it stands on equal footing with cards like Skyknight Legionnaire in terms of cost-efficiency. However, Relentless Raptor distinguishes itself with its vigilant attack and block condition, demanding an aggressive play style from its controller.

Comparably, Boros Challenger presents a similar aggressive potential. Although lacking vigilance, the Challenger compensates with the mentor ability, allowing it to bolster other creatures in your arsenal. This makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield, especially in decks focusing on strengthening creatures. Yet, the Raptor holds its ground with its enforced combat engagement, a trait that can be advantageous or precarious depending on the state of play.

In summation, while evaluating the capabilities of creatures within the Boros color pairing, Relentless Raptor offers a balance of aggression and defense right from the onset. Its dual nature can rally a player’s forces while posing a significant threat that must be answered by the opponent, marking its distinct niche among creatures in the game.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Boros Challenger - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Legionnaire - Arena League 2005 (PAL05)
Boros Challenger - Guilds of Ravnica Promos (PGRN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Relentless Raptor 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 Relentless Raptor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Relentless Raptor has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-01-19 If the defending player somehow gains control of Relentless Raptor after it attacks, it must also block if able.

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