Ruric Thar, the Unbowed MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Ogre Warrior
Abilities Reach, Vigilance
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Ruric Thar’s ability to deal damage for noncreature spells can lead to significant card advantage.
  2. Its reach and vigilance provide a consistent offensive and defensive board presence.
  3. Fits well into creature-based strategies and can greatly influence the game’s tempo.
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, reach Ruric Thar, the Unbowed attacks each turn if able. Whenever a player casts a noncreature spell, Ruric Thar deals 6 damage to that player.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ruric Thar, the Unbowed has a unique ability to deal 6 damage to any player who casts a noncreature spell. This ability can discourage opponents from playing noncreature spells, potentially leading to card advantage for you as your opponent’s options become limited.

Resource Acceleration: As a formidable 6/6 creature with reach and vigilance, Ruric Thar not only bolsters your defenses but also applies pressure on your opponent. Because Ruric Thar can be utilized for both offense and defense without tapping, it allows you to maintain a solid board presence, accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed Interaction: While Ruric Thar himself doesn’t play at instant speed, his punishing effect is always “on,” potentially disrupting instant speed plays by your opponent. This constant threat can shift the pace of the game in your favor, giving rise to advantageous situations where your opponent plays more cautiously.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ruric Thar the Unbowed doesn’t directly require a discard, but its ability to punish noncreature spells can indirectly force players to discard options they would normally play. When Ruric Thar is on the battlefield, each noncreature spell you cast comes with a steep penalty, potentially leading to a dwindling hand if you’re reliant on instants, sorceries, or other noncreature cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Ruric Thar’s demanding mana cost involves a mix of green and red, with 6 total mana necessary to summon this formidable creature. This specific cost means that it has a natural home in Gruul decks (those consisting of green and red) but may not fit as easily into other deck types, limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana total is significant, and while Ruric Thar the Unbowed offers a formidable presence, its summoning cost is high considering the competitive landscape. There are creatures with lower mana costs that can be just as impactful on the game, which might be considered over Ruric Thar for a slot in a deck, especially in formats where speed and efficiency are key.


Reasons to Include Ruric Thar the Unbowed in Your Collection

Versatility: Ruric Thar, the Unbowed serves as a formidable force in creature-based decks, capable of dishing out significant damage to opponents. Its reach and vigilance make it a solid defender as well as an aggressive attacker, ensuring it’s always a dual threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card complements strategies that punish noncreature spell reliance, playing a crucial role in decks designed to inhibit opponents’ combos. With Ruric Thar on the field, players can dissuade others from casting noncreature spells, or at least ensure they pay a steep price for doing so.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavily populated with spell-based control or combo decks, Ruric Thar can be a game-changer. It asserts pressure simply by being in play, making it a relevant and sometimes game-winning inclusion in a meta where casting numerous spells is the norm.


How to beat Ruric Thar, the Unbowed

Ruric Thar, the Unbowed presents a unique challenge on the battlefield for Magic the Gathering players. This formidable Gruul chieftain deals a punishing six damage to any player who casts a noncreature spell, making him a nemesis to spell-heavy decks. However, even the mightiest of warriors has weaknesses, and understanding Ruric Thar’s can turn the tide of battle.

One effective strategy to outmaneuver Ruric Thar is employing ample creature-based tactics. Creatures avoid triggering Ruric’s damaging ability, allowing you to develop your board unhindered. Another tactic is to use removal spells that can handle this ogre at sorcery speed since doing so on your turn minimizes the six damage blow. Artifacts or enchantments that can continually block or contain Ruric without casting can be another workaround.

Strategizing the timing of your spellcasting can also prove beneficial, casting noncreature spells only when absolutely necessary or when you can sustain the hit to your life. Employing these strategies, players can turn the challenge of facing Ruric Thar into an opportunity to show their adaptability and tactical prowess on the planes of Magic the Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ruric Thar, the Unbowed poses a formidable dimension to your MTG strategy, compelling players to embrace creature-centric gameplay for success. As a towering 6/6 guardian with the ability to sway an opponent’s casting decisions, incorporating Ruric Thar into your arsenal can be a game-defining move, particularly in a meta chock-full of spell-reliant adversaries. Adapting to his mana demands may be challenging, but the payoff in controlling the flow of the game is unmistakable. Want to fine-tune your deck-building skills with insights and tactics that harness Ruric Thar’s potential? Delve deeper with us and discover how this Gruul giant can anchor your conquests across the magical planes.


Cards like Ruric Thar, the Unbowed

Ruric Thar the Unbowed stands out in MTG as a formidable Gruul Guild creature card. Comparable in its raw power to other heavy hitters like Gruul Ragebeast, Ruric Thar brings a unique punishing effect to players casting noncreature spells. By contrast, Gruul Ragebeast promotes a creature-focused strategy through its fight mechanic but doesn’t penalize opponents for spell casting. Ruric Thar’s six damage sanction is notably impactful in spell-heavy metas, distinguishing him from the fight trigger of the Ragebeast.

Another parallel can be drawn with Urabrask the Hidden, one of the Praetors of New Phyrexia. While Urabrask offers a tactical advantage by slowing down your opponent’s creatures, it doesn’t directly punish noncreature spellcasting. Ruric Thar’s vigilant ability to be both attacker and blocker plus the added deterrent against noncreature spells positions him as an obstacle opponents can’t ignore.

Conclusively, Ruric Thar the Unbowed is a unique force in the MTG arena. With his punishing effect, he pushes a metagame that favors creature-based strategies over noncreature spells, offering an aggressive yet tactical presence on the battlefield.

Gruul Ragebeast - MTG Card versions
Urabrask the Hidden - MTG Card versions
Gruul Ragebeast - Gatecrash (GTC)
Urabrask the Hidden - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Cards similar to Ruric Thar, the Unbowed by color, type and mana cost

Marhault Elsdragon - MTG Card versions
Livonya Silone - MTG Card versions
The Lady of the Mountain - MTG Card versions
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Morselhoarder - MTG Card versions
Cavern Thoctar - MTG Card versions
Valley Rannet - MTG Card versions
Dragonlair Spider - MTG Card versions
Marhault Elsdragon - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Livonya Silone - Masters Edition III (ME3)
The Lady of the Mountain - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Jerrard of the Closed Fist - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Stangg - Masters 25 (A25)
Shambling Strider - Masters Edition (ME1)
Rock Basilisk - Mirage (MIR)
Viashivan Dragon - Visions (VIS)
Rubblehulk - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Sarinth Greatwurm - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Dragon Broodmother - The List (PLST)
Phylath, World Sculptor - Zendikar Rising Promos (PZNR)
Gruul Nodorog - Guildpact (GPT)
Foxfire Oak - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Wort, the Raidmother - Commander 2020 (C20)
Valleymaker - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Morselhoarder - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Cavern Thoctar - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Valley Rannet - Commander 2013 (C13)
Dragonlair Spider - Planechase Anthology (PCA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ruric Thar, the Unbowed MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Masters 25, 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 Ruric Thar, the Unbowed and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ruric Thar, the Unbowed Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 992003normalblackTyler Jacobson
22018-03-16Masters 25A25 2162015normalblackTyler Jacobson
32019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 802015normalblackJason A. Engle
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2712015normalblackTyler Jacobson
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5362015normalblackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ruric Thar, the Unbowed has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-03-16 If Ruric Thar can’t attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player’s control that turn), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having a creature attack, the player isn’t forced to pay that cost, so Ruric Thar doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
2018-03-16 Ruric Thar’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that causes it to trigger. The ability will resolve even if that spell is countered.
2018-03-16 Ruric Thar’s triggered ability triggers whenever any player casts a noncreature spell, including you.

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