Sun-Collared Raptor MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Dinosaur
Abilities	Trample
Released	2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set name	Rivals of Ixalan
Set code	RIX
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	118
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros

Key Takeaways

The Raptor’s trample and instant speed abilities make it a versatile threat during the game.
It can be a mana sink, but this requires a significant mana and card investment.
Despite its power, strategic removal and disruptive play can tame this MTG predator.

Text of card

Trample : Sun-Collared Raptor gets +3/+0 until end of turn.

"With Tilonalli's gifts, even the smallest of us can become great." —Huatli

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Sun-Collared Raptor itself might not directly contribute to card advantage, it can become an ongoing threat that requires an answer from opponents. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as opponents may need to use more resources to deal with it, especially as it grows in power.

Resource Acceleration: The raptor’s Trample ability ensures that even as you invest resources into its power-up abilities, you have the potential to accelerate damage through your opponent’s defenses. This lets you make the most of the mana spent on pumping its strength and provides a scaling threat as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: Its ability to boost power at instant speed offers significant flexibility. During combat, you can decide whether to allocate mana to power up the raptor, reacting to your opponent’s blocks and spells, making it a versatile combatant on the field.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sun-Collared Raptor has an ability that is activated by discarding a card. This can sometimes be a drawback, especially if you’re running out of cards in your hand and need to maintain options for other plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This dinosaur operates within a red mana-intensive deck, which potentially restricts its inclusion to only certain types of strategies. Decks not focused on red mana might find it hard to accommodate the Raptor efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its base cost combined with the necessity to invest additional mana to pump it up, the Raptor’s overall mana expenditure can be steep when you’re trying to establish board presence or need to respond to opponents’ threats.

Reasons to Include Sun-Collared Raptor in Your Collection

Versatility: Sun-Collared Raptor offers a flexible option for decks that can take advantage of both early aggression and mana sinks. As a two-drop creature, it’s a viable play in the early game, and its Trample ability coupled with the potential to increase its power makes it a persistent threat throughout the match.

Combo Potential: With the ability to pump its power, Sun-Collared Raptor pairs well with strategies that exploit high-power creatures. Whether it’s enabling Enrage mechanics, fueling cards that count the number of +1/+1 counters, or empowering Dinosaurs synergies, this Raptor can be a key component in a variety of engaging combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where smaller creatures are prevalent, Sun-Collared Raptor can shine by breaking through blockers and applying consistent pressure. Its continuous growth capability also means it can stay relevant even as the board state scales in power, providing a lasting presence on the battlefield that opponents can’t ignore.

How to beat

Sun-Collared Raptor breathes new fire into red aggro strategies in MTG. This swift dinosaur, at a mere two mana cost, can be intimidating, especially with its enrage ability that increases its power. However, it’s not without its weak spots. Unlike more formidable creatures, this raptor can be overcome with strategic creature removal. Cards such as Fatal Push or Cast Down effortlessly dispatch it early on. It’s crucial to manage it before it becomes a substantial threat.

Furthermore, cards with lifelink like Vampire Nighthawk can outpace the damage Sun-Collared Raptor may deal and gain you advantageous life points. Then there’s the classic combat trickery – ambush the raptor with an unexpected blocker like Typhoid Rats, draining its threat while your plans remain unharmed.

Dealing with Sun-Collared Raptor requires vigilance and a toolkit apt for disrupting aggro-play. Clearing the field of this agile threat ensures it doesn’t evolve into an insurmountable challenge. It’s a sharp reminder that even the fiercest predators in MTG can be tamed with foresight and precision.

Cards like Sun-Collared Raptor

The Sun-Collared Raptor thrives in decks that celebrate the classic red aggression in MTG. At first glance, this creature might remind veteran players of Raptor Hatchling, both dinosaurs with the potential to become larger threats. Unlike the Hatchling, the Sun-Collared Raptor doesn’t require a hit to trigger its growth. Instead, players can directly invest mana to beef it up with its built-in trample ability.

Other cards that echo the Raptor’s aggressive nature include Nest Robber, a dinosaur with haste that gets into the action immediately, yet lacks the Raptor’s scaling strength. Frenzied Raptor, meanwhile, offers a higher starting power but without the trample or capability for on-demand power boosts. And for those who fancy a bit of a gamble, Frilled Deathspitter presents an ability that damages opponents when it’s targeted, offering a unique form of red combat trickery that Sun-Collared Raptor doesn’t provide.

A thorough weigh-in of its traits against other red creatures puts Sun-Collared Raptor in a versatile spot, meshing combat readiness with potential for a late-game mana sink, making it a worthwhile pick for MTG players fond of aggressive strategies and incremental growth.

Frilled Deathspitter - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sun-Collared 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 Sun-Collared Raptor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sun-Collared Raptor has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal