Rock Badger MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 210
2007-07-13 - Number 226
2007-07-13 - Number 226★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Badger Beast |
| Abilities | Mountainwalk |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Mountainwalk (This creature is unblockable as long as defending player controls a mountain.)
The Kyren goblins created most of the inverted mountain's tunnels simply by driving the beast before them.
Cards like Rock Badger
Rock Badger enters the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature card with the mountainwalk ability, enabling it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain. Within the realm of evasion abilities, Rock Badger has cousins like River Bear, which boasts the forestwalk ability. Both share the constructive feature of being virtually unblockable in the right circumstances, though they appeal to different deck themes.
Looking at other creatures sharing a similar mana cost, Alpine Grizzly is a straightforward alternative, offering a more aggressive power stance straight out of the gate without relying on specialized board conditions like land types. Yet it lacks the strategic evasion that Rock Badger provides. Canyon Wildcat is another card that can sneak past defenses with its plainswalk ability and comes at a lower mana cost, making it more accessible earlier in the game but with the tradeoff of less impact in the later stages.
These comparisons highlight Rock Badger’s niche within Magic: The Gathering—a card well-suited for games where Mountain lands are prevalent, tipping the scales with its specialized form of evasion in specific metagames or deck constructions.
Cards similar to Rock Badger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Rock Badger itself may not draw cards directly, its evasion ability sets up potential for card advantage by consistently dealing combat damage, which could be leveraged in red strategies that reward you for successful attacks.
Resource Acceleration: Although Rock Badger doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the form of additional mana or tokens, its relatively low converted mana cost allows for swift deployment, contributing to tempo and enabling quicker plays or reinforcements on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: Rock Badger, as a creature, doesn’t operate at instant speed, yet it synergizes well with cards that do. Its mountainwalk ability can be maximized by cards that change land types at instant speed, catching an opponent unawares and slipping through defenses right when it matters most.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Rock Badger, while a unique addition to the battlefield, demands players to remove valuable cards from their hands to initiate specific abilities. This can undermine your game if your hand is already stretched thin by other demands.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card necessitates a precise mana alignment to be played efficiently. Sporting a predominantly red mana cost, it might not fit seamlessly into all deck archetypes, especially those that don’t capitalize on mountain mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the Rock Badger commanding a substantial portion of your mana pool to hit the board, it’s integral to consider the opportunity cost. In the realm of MTG, where resource allocation is crucial, there are alternative creatures or spells that could potentially offer a greater advantage for the same, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Rock Badger in Your Collection
Versatility: Rock Badger can adapt to various strategies, seamlessly fitting into red-based control or aggro decks that can benefit from its evasion ability, allowing it to avoid creatures without mountainwalk.
Combo Potential: This creature offers synergy with cards that capitalize on land types or benefit from unblocked attackers, potentially enabling intriguing combinations within the right deck build.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where ground stalls are common, Rock Badger’s mountainwalk can be a decisive factor, slipping past defenses to secure damage on opponents with mountainous terrain.
How to beat
Rock Badger, a creature card in Magic the Gathering, presents a distinctive quality with its mountainwalk ability, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain. While it may appear challenging at first glance, especially against decks heavy on red mana, there are straightforward strategies to overcome this wily creature.
One of the most effective tactics is to limit the availability of Mountains on the opponent’s battlefield. Land alteration spells that change a land’s type can effectively neutralize Rock Badger’s advantage. Additionally, utilizing creatures with reach or aerial capabilities can help fortify your defenses against other potential threats. In games where Rock Badger might be leveraged, having such defense mechanisms in place can give you an upper hand in maintaining control over the board state.
Bearing in mind these strategies, Rock Badger can transform from a daunting obstacle to a manageable challenge on the battlefield. With the right mix of land control and versatile defenses, players can effectively counteract the advantages that Rock Badger brings to the table, ensuring a more leveled playing field during the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rock Badger MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Tenth Edition, 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 Rock Badger and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- 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 Rock Badger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 210 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 226 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 226★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rock Badger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |