Riot Spikes MTG Card

Dissension (DIS)
2006-05-05 - Number 146

RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
2019-02-15 - Number 73

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant

Key Takeaways

Enhances creatures or disrupts opponents, offering a dynamic edge in MTG matches.
Instant speed allows strategic plays, maximizing Riot Spikes’ impact during a game.
Adaptability across deck types and metas makes it a versatile addition to collections.

Text of card

({BR} can be paid with either or .) Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/-1.

Most auramancers would have let the spikes hover just above the skin. Having the spikes rip through the skin from beneath was a touch added by Rakdos himself.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Riot Spikes benefits players by potentially disrupting the opponent’s hand while also offering the chance to draw a card, thus potentially gaining card advantage. This swing can be crucial in the resource battle that defines many MTG matches.

Resource Acceleration: Although Riot Spikes itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can remove key pieces from your opponent’s resources. By discarding their cards, you’re effectively slowing them down and gaining a relative advantage in terms of available options.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Riot Spikes at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment, such as in response to an opponent’s action, to gain maximum benefit from the card’s effects, while keeping mana open for other instant-speed interactions on the board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Riot Spikes imposes a discard condition upon casting. For players who prioritize resource retention, the impact on hand size can be particularly detrimental, potentially reducing strategic options or weakening your position when you’re already behind.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Riot Spikes, you need one red and two other mana. This specific mana requirement may not synergize with multicolored decks that don’t heavily lean on red mana sources or where red mana is less consistently available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including one red, you might find that Riot Spikes falls short in terms of mana efficiency. Players often look for spells that pack a higher punch or offer more flexibility at this cost, potentially looking toward cards with lower mana requirements or those that provide additional benefits beyond the immediate effects of Riot Spikes.

Reasons to Include Riot Spikes in Your Collection

Versatility: Riot Spikes is flexible enough to be slotted into various deck archetypes. Its ability to bolster creatures can be a game-changer in both aggressive and midrange decks, enhancing their combat effectiveness.

Combo Potential: This enchantment can become a key component in strategies that take advantage of +1/+1 counters or creature enhancement. Combining Riot Spikes with proliferate mechanics or doubling effects can lead to explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the competitive scene, Riot Spikes can adapt to various metas, offering a cost-effective way to increase threat density and pressure on opponents early in the game.

How to beat

Riot Spikes is a card that can catalyze early-game aggression in Magic: The Gathering, making it vital to address quickly on the battlefield. Its ability to amplify power on creatures for a minimal mana investment can be intimidating. The key to overcoming the power spike provided by Riot Spikes is to leverage removal spells that can eliminate the enhanced creature before it can deal significant damage. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push are exceptional choices as they can handle the threat efficiently and cost-effectively.

Control strategies also shine against a card like Riot Spikes. Counter spells, specifically, are powerful tools to negate Riot Spikes and prevent its attachment altogether. Utilize spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak when your opponent attempts to cast Riot Spikes. Timing is crucial here; by disrupting their play, you halt their aggressive momentum and maintain board control. Also consider board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation which can reset the playing field, nullifying the buffs provided by auras like Riot Spikes.

Ultimately, patience and strategic removal are your allies when navigating against the potential onslaught that Riot Spikes presents. Mitigating the threat early and maintaining board control will guide you to victory in your Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards like Riot Spikes

Riot Spikes is an intriguing choice for players seeking to boost creature capabilities in Magic: The Gathering. This card is akin to the likes of Unholy Strength, which also offers a power increase to creatures. Riot Spikes distinguishes itself with the option to enchant a creature or player, a flexibility that Unholy Strength lacks. This dual functionality offers adaptive strategies during play.

Comparatively, Madcap Skills brings something different to the table. While it provides a larger power bonus and makes the creature harder to block by requiring two or more blockers, it doesn’t have the versatility of targeting players that Riot Spikes boasts. Another comparable enchantment is Goblin War Paint, which adds both power and haste to a creature, a boon for an aggressive strategy, yet still doesn’t affect players directly.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Riot Spikes remains a valuable tool for players looking to add a twist to their offensive tactics. Whether enhancing a creature or weakening an opponent, Riot Spikes provides varied strategic options that are not common among similar enchantment cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Riot Spikes by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Riot Spikes MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Riot Spikes and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Riot Spikes Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.