Swaggering Corsair MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 119
2022-12-02 - Number 611
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Abilities | Raid |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Raid ability of Swaggering Corsair is potent, rewarding strategic combat play and card synergy.
- Flexible in various decks, it’s a valuable 3-drop with potential meta relevance and impact.
- Techniques to counter it include early removal, token generation, and board control.
Text of card
Raid — Swaggering Corsair enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it if you attacked with a creature this turn.
"I'm about to make you famous. From the golden city to High and Dry, they'll talk about how fast you died!"
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Swaggering Corsair shines as it hits the battlefield, potentially bringing additional cards into play through its Raid ability. By meeting the Raid condition, the Corsair becomes a significant threat that can exceed the value invested in casting it.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the Corsair’s influence on the board can be a catalyst for more aggressive plays. It incentivizes and rewards attacks, which can lead to game states where you’re pressing an advantage, setting the stage for powerful, game-ending moves.
Instant Speed: Though Swaggering Corsair itself isn’t an instant, having cards with instant speed in your deck complements the Raid ability well. Being able to cast spells during the opponent’s turn and then dropping the Corsair in your main phase can ensure you meet the Raid requirements, turning it into a strategic play that can change the tide of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing a card like Swaggering Corsair often necessitates discarding other valuable cards from your hand, which can set you back, especially if your card pool is already diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana required for Swaggering Corsair includes a certain combination of colors that may not seamlessly fit into every deck strategy, thus reducing its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the mana investment to get Swaggering Corsair on the battlefield, you may find that other cards at a lower mana cost could provide a similar or higher impact, making it a less optimal choice for fast-paced or mana-efficient decks.
Reasons to Include Swaggering Corsair in Your Collection
Versatility: Swaggering Corsair is a flexible creature card that can easily find its place in various deck builds. Its raid ability offers an advantage if it’s played post-combat, and it fits seamlessly into pirate-themed decks, as well as Red or Black aggro strategies that thrive on quick, efficient creatures.
Combo Potential: In decks centered around the raid mechanic or those that capitalize on attacking with multiple creatures, Swaggering Corsair can be a pivotal piece. It works exceptionally well with cards that allow for extra combat phases, enabling its raid ability to be used to its full extent and amplifying its impact on the game.
Meta-Relevance: As the game shifts and new strategies emerge, having a 3-drop creature like Swaggering Corsair with a potential power boost can be crucial. It’s particularly effective in an environment where establishing early board presence is key to outpacing control decks or disrupting combo setups.
How to beat
Overcoming the challenge of Swaggering Corsair in your Magic: The Gathering match requires strategic thinking. This Red creature stands out in the Limited format, especially with the favorable Raid mechanic. Entering the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter when a fellow pirate attacked this turn, it pushes for an aggressive gameplay style. To counteract this, controlling the pace of the game is key. Employ early removal spells to ensure the Raid condition isn’t easily met.
Alternatively, focusing on board presence with efficient creatures can deter attacks and make the Raid trigger less impactful. Playing cards with high toughness or generating creature tokens can inhibit the Corsair’s ability to attack profitably. Spot removal is also a precise way to deal with an already bolstered Corsair. Your aim should be to limit the number of creatures your opponent controls. By maintaining a robust defense and strategically managing your removal resources, Swaggering Corsair’s advantage becomes much more manageable.
When incorporating these tactics into your game plan, Swaggering Corsair becomes less of an issue, allowing you to focus on taking the leading role in your MTG matches. Adjusting plays according to the game state and staying one step ahead of your opponent’s strategy will guide you to victory.
Cards like Swaggering Corsair
The allure of Swaggering Corsair in Magic: The Gathering is mirrored in its kinship with other Raid-enabled creatures. For instance, Rigging Runner presents as a similar companion, requiring a Raid condition to boost its prowess on the battlefield. Whereas Swaggering Corsair gains a +1/+1 counter with Raid, Rigging Runner gains first strike, offering a strategic advantage in combat.
Another card that adventures alongside Swaggering Corsair is Storm Fleet Aerialist. With a Raid-triggered bonus, this card leverages the mechanic by stepping into play with flying capabilities if you attacked with a creature on your turn. While both cards utilize the Raid mechanic to set sail on an edge in the game, the Aerialist takes to the skies, where the Corsair stays grounded but brutishly stronger.
Delving deeper into the armada, one cannot overlook Fathom Fleet Captain. This menacing pirate not only benefits from attacking like Swaggering Corsair but also employs Raid in a unique way, calling forth reinforcements by creating a 2/2 pirate token. Each of these cards embraces the swashbuckling spirit of the MTG Raid mechanic in their own way, thus enriching the strategic depth of pirate-themed decks.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swaggering Corsair MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Swaggering Corsair and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Swaggering Corsair Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 119 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 611 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swaggering Corsair 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 |
