Rubblebelt Recluse MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 111
2019-07-12 - Number 334
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Berserker |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Rubblebelt Recluse attacks each combat if able.
Joining a guild, even the Gruul, would mean giving up some of his independence. He'd rather smash what he wants to smash.
Cards like Rubblebelt Recluse
Rubblebelt Recluse makes its mark in the roster of creatures featured in Magic: The Gathering with a notable comparison to other formidable creatures. It shares characteristics with cards such as Bloodrage Brawler, which possesses the formidable ability to attack with a significant power boost early in the game. Just like Rubblebelt Recluse, Bloodrage Brawler has a drawback that it must attack each turn if able, but it comes with the additional condition of discarding a card upon entering the battlefield.
Another comparable creature is Havoc Devils, which features the trample ability allowing extra damage to carry over to the opponent. While it also boasts impressive power, the Rubblebelt Recluse edges ahead in terms of pure strength. Yet, it lacks the trample ability, giving Havoc Devils an advantage in terms of potential damage output.
When assessing the value of such creatures, it’s important to consider both the specific deck strategy and the stage of the game. In this realm, the Rubblebelt Recluse stands out for its sheer power, best suited for players looking to apply heavy pressure on opponents with minimal investment.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When it comes to card utility, Rubblebelt Recluse shines by being a beefy creature that demands an answer. Getting a 6/5 creature on the board can swiftly tilt the scales in your favor. While it might not directly let you draw additional cards, its formidable presence can preserve the cards in hand as your opponents will need to deal with it first.
Resource Acceleration: This giant not only accelerates your board presence but can also be part of strategies that revolve around playing high-cost creatures more quickly. In decks focused on ‘cheating out’ big monsters, Rubblebelt Recluse serves as a powerful asset. By potentially reducing the need for further plays, you can allocate resources elsewhere.
Instant Speed: While Rubblebelt Recluse doesn’t operate at instant speed, its real power lies in the aftermath of its deployment. In a game of threats and answers, dropping a big creature your opponents didn’t account for can disrupt their strategy. It’s about the strategic instant impact it has on the game state rather than the speed of your spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Rubblebelt Recluse doesn’t explicitly require you to discard cards, its single-minded attack condition might compel you to play it in a strategy where discarding could become part of your game plan to keep the board clear for its attacks. This can put you at a card disadvantage if not managed properly.
Specific Mana Cost: Rubblebelt Recluse demands a specific blend of mana, including both red and green. This narrows the range of decks it can seamlessly fit into, particularly impacting players who prefer more flexible mana bases or are playing outside of Gruul colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, Rubblebelt Recluse is a considerable investment. In the current meta, numerous creatures and spells at lower mana values may provide similar or better impact without the commitment, potentially making its cost a downside when building an efficient deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rubblebelt Recluse fits neatly into a variety of deck builds, particularly those that require a strong board presence. This card’s formidable power makes it a substantial threat on the battlefield, able to stand toe-to-toe with other large creatures or serve as a formidable blocker.
Combo Potential: With its high power, Rubblebelt Recluse works well when paired with cards that capitalize on the strength of your creatures, such as those featuring the Ferocious or Bloodthirst abilities. This can enable powerful synergies and create unexpected advantages on the field.
Meta-Relevance: Against a backdrop of control-centric or combo-based decks, Rubblebelt Recluse is a cost-effective way to pressure opponents. Its massive size requires an answer, often exhausting an opponent’s removal options and leaving space for your other strategies to unfold.
How to beat
Rubblebelt Recluse is a unique creature that brings a formidable presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its enforced attacking each combat if able, this card can become a double-edged sword. To outmaneuver this Gruul faction creature, tactics such as chump blocking become very effective. Setting up blockers with low cost and expendable creatures will prevent significant damage to your life total.
Control strategies also excel against Rubblebelt Recluse. Utilizing spells that can tap, return to hand, or destroy creatures at instant speed allows you to navigate around its mandatory attack characteristic. Cards with deathtouch or those that provide -X/-X until end of turn can efficiently remove the Recluse without much resource expenditure. Moreover, enchantments that pacify or prevent the Recluse from attacking or blocking can neutralize the threat it poses.
In essence, while the Recluse might seem daunting at first with its aggressive nature and size, there are numerous ways within MTG to turn the tables. By adopting a strategy that leverages either sacrificial defense or pinpoint control, you can ensure that Rubblebelt Recluse’s strength is contained, preserving your board and leading you towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rubblebelt Recluse MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Core Set 2020, 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 Rubblebelt Recluse and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Rubblebelt Recluse Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 2 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 334 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rubblebelt Recluse 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rubblebelt Recluse card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-12 | If Rubblebelt Recluse 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 it attack, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either. |