Rubble Slinger MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Released | 2019-01-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica Allegiance |
| Set code | RNA |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 217 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Livia Prima |
Text of card
Reach
"Tear down the city, lie by lie. Then throw it back at the liars, stone by stone." —Domri Rade
Cards like Rubble Slinger
Rubble Slinger stands as a unique creature in MTG due to its ability to bolster your defensive line while providing a ranged threat. It resembles Wall of Runes in terms of mana cost and toughness, offering a defensive posture to your battlefield position. Unlike Wall of Runes, which focuses on deck manipulation by scrying, Rubble Slinger can directly damage flying creatures thanks to its reach ability.
Exploring further, we can compare it with Skyline Scout, another two-mana cost creature. While Skyline Scout takes an offensive approach by being able to gain flying during attacks, Rubble Slinger remains firmly in the defensive category. The reach ability ensures it can block opponents’ aerial assaults effectively. Another card of note is the Kraul Harpooner, which shares the reach attribute. However, the Harpooner is geared more aggressively, with a power boost when targeting flying creatures.
To sum up, amid the choices for two-mana cost creatures, Rubble Slinger earns its place by being a versatile defender against flyers in MTG. Its unique combination of reach and damage potential makes it a sturdy choice for any player looking to fortify their lines against airborne threats.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Rubble Slinger might not directly allow for additional card draw, its capability to be both a threat and a blocker ensures your hand remains equipped with necessary spells while it aids in board control. This equilibrium can be crucial in the latter stages of the game when maintaining card resources is vital.
Resource Acceleration: Rubble Slinger’s presence on the battlefield underscores the importance of mana efficiency in MTG. Although it doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its reasonable casting cost complements a well-curated mana curve, thereby indirectly enhancing your ability to deploy other critical spells sooner.
Instant Speed: The reach ability that Rubble Slinger possesses can be leveraged at instant speed, disrupting opponent’s flying threats unexpectedly. This combat trick doesn’t only protect against aerial assaults but can shift the tide of battle in your favor without prior warning, a subtle yet powerful advantage during gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Rubble Slinger doesn’t directly ask players to discard, its battlefield impact may sometimes not justify its spot in your hand, leading to situations where you might prefer discarding it for a greater benefit elsewhere.
Specific Mana Cost: Rubble Slinger requires both red and green mana to play, necessitating a firm commitment to a Gruul-colored deck or a mana base that accommodates multicolor needs, which could restrict its inclusion in more versatile or mono-colored strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a 2/3 reach creature, Rubble Slinger’s cost is noticeably higher than some other options. For decks focusing on efficiency, there are creatures with similar stats or abilities that carry a lower mana investment, potentially accelerating your game plan more effectively.
Reasons to Include Rubble Slinger in Your Collection
Versatility: Rubble Slinger is a flexible option for deck builders. It can be played as an early blocker with reach to protect against flying threats or later in the game as a land to help with mana fixing.
Combo Potential: With its ability to be a creature or a land, Rubble Slinger works well with cards that capitalize on landfall triggers or benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, offering multiple avenues for synergy.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with flying creatures, Rubble Slinger provides an answer that’s always useful. Its dual nature allows it to adapt to various situations, maintaining its relevance regardless of the shifting metagame.
How to Beat Rubble Slinger
Rubble Slinger may not be a prominent card in the MTG meta, but it can still be a nuisance if left unchecked on the battlefield. The card, which provides both a creature on the board and the ability to block flyers, can pose a certain level of challenge. What’s vital in overcoming Rubble Slinger is to recognize its flexibility and act swiftly.
An effective strategy involves removing it before your opponent can capitalize on its reach ability, which makes it a good blocker against flying creatures. Direct removal spells are quite useful here, such as Murder or Doom Blade, which work well due to their low mana costs and instant speed. If direct removal isn’t available, combating it on the battlefield is feasible—overpowering it with stronger ground creatures can coerce your opponent into unfavorable blocks, slowly depleting their defenses.
Ultimately, while Rubble Slinger might offer some temporary fortifications for your opponent, a well-rounded deck with versatile removal and strong offensive creatures should overcome it. Keep in mind that while this card can be a speed bump, it’s rarely the linchpin of your opponent’s strategy, so focus on maintaining tempo and board presence to push through to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rubble Slinger MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Rubble Slinger and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rubble Slinger 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 |