Rune-Cervin Rider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Knight |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2008-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadowmoor |
| Set code | SHM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Scott |
Text of card
Flying {RW}{RW}: Rune-Cervin Rider gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Things of beauty are in constant peril. The riders whisk them to safety, ahead of the encroaching darkness.
Cards like Rune-Cervin Rider
The Rune-Cervin Rider card carves a niche for itself within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. Drawing parallels with other creatures, it is reminiscent of Skyknight Legionnaire from the Ravnica sets. Skyknight Legionnaire also boasts flying and haste but comes with a different color identity, appealing to players fond of Boros strategies.
Another card that echoes the essence of Rune-Cervin Rider is Stormfront Pegasus. While both creatures share the flying ability, making them adept at bypassing ground-based defense, the Pegasus falls short with the absence of haste. The additional speed granted to Rune-Cervin Rider underscores its potential for quick offensive maneuvers.
Moreover, comparing it to the likes of Nimbus Naiad, which can bestow flying to other creatures while also being a flying creature itself, Rune-Cervin Rider doesn’t offer that flexibility but compensates with its direct and faster board impact. Each card has a unique role to play, with the Rune-Cervin Rider being particularly favorable for players aiming to assert immediate aerial dominance in their games.
Assessing these comparisons, Rune-Cervin Rider undoubtedly stands out in scenarios that demand swift and unblocked damage, making it a valuable asset in any aggressive MTG deck strategy.
Cards similar to Rune-Cervin Rider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rune-Cervin Rider provides a unique edge in drawing cards. Each time you cast a multicolored spell, Rune-Cervin Rider allows you to draw a card, offering the chance to consistently outpace your opponent’s hand.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that focus on multicolored spells, Rune-Cervin Rider can act as a pivotal point of resource acceleration. Successfully casting multicolored spells not only potentially orchestrates combos or controls the board but also bolsters your hand, allowing for sustained pressure and strategic depth in gameplay.
Instant Speed: The ability to utilize Rune-Cervin Rider at instant speed vastly improves its versatility. Whether you’re interrupting an opponent’s turn or sneaking in an advantageous play just before yours, the flexibility of timing empowers you to optimize your strategy in response to evolving board states.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rune-Cervin Rider has a discard clause to activate its key ability. This can put you at a significant card disadvantage, especially if you’re not running a deck that benefits from a graveyard strategy or doesn’t have methods to replenish your hand quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost that includes white mana, Rune-Cervin Rider restricts deck-building options. It cannot be seamlessly integrated into any deck and requires a mana base that supports white spells, potentially reducing its versatility in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana curve where the Rider sits, you might find that its cost is on the higher side relative to its impact on the game. In a fast-paced match, using up valuable mana for a card with a requirement to discard might not be the most efficient play, especially when there are alternatives with immediate board presence or more impactful abilities at a similar or lower cost.
Reasons to Include Rune-Cervin Rider in Your Collection
Versatility: Rune-Cervin Rider’s ability to avoid being blocked except by creatures with defender makes it a reliable choice for players looking to apply pressure in evasion-centric decks. It can easily find a home in both aggressive and tempo-oriented strategies.
Combo Potential: Its synergy with enchantments, particularly those with constellation or enchantment creatures, could make it a key piece in decks aiming to trigger multiple abilities simultaneously. Building around its evasion can lead to powerful interactions and efficient damage delivery.
Meta-Relevance: With a continuous flow of new sets and shifting metas, a card like Rune-Cervin Rider, which offers consistent damage potential, remains a strong candidate against decks lacking in defenders. It’s also useful for outmaneuvering strategies that rely heavily on non-defender creatures for blocking.
How to beat
Rune-Cervin Rider presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, its flying ability allowing it to evade many ground-based defenses. In evaluating strategies to tackle this mystical steed from the Magic the Gathering universe, there are several key approaches to consider. Direct removal spells that can target creatures regardless of flying, such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, work efficiently to remove the threat without depending on combat.
Board-cleansing spells like Wrath of God or Damnation are effective solutions at sweeping away Rune-Cervin Rider along with any other creatures your opponent controls. If seeking a more targeted approach, enchantments that neutralize abilities or tap down creatures can reduce Rune-Cervin Rider to a mere decorative piece on the board. Cards like Pacifism or Claustrophobia do this splendidly without resorting to outright killing the creature.
In essence, understanding the most effective counters and employing them at the right time is crucial. Targeting spells, board wipes, and disabling enchantments form a robust arsenal against Rune-Cervin Rider, ensuring it spends more time in the stable than in the skies above.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rune-Cervin Rider MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Rune-Cervin Rider 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 Rune-Cervin Rider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |