Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Rogue Werewolf
Abilities Haste,Transform
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Instantly transforms Werewolves, boosting board presence and enabling powerful creature-based plays early in the game.
  2. Red mana cost contributes to deck-building limitations but emphasizes its integral role in red and werewolf decks.
  3. With metamorphic synergy, Geier Reach Bandit enhances gameplay by making werewolves more threatening upon arrival.

Text of card

Haste At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Geier Reach Bandit.

The cathars realized they had not tracked her—she had led them here.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Geier Reach Bandit can be a powerhouse in terms of card advantage, especially in decks focused on Werewolves or other creature-based strategies. Once it transforms into Vildin-Pack Alpha at instant speed, every Werewolf card that enters the battlefield subsequently will instantly transform into its more powerful night-side without any additional cost, generating potential card advantage with each transformed Werewolf you play.

Resource Acceleration: The acceleration Geier Reach Bandit provides is more strategic than purely mana-based. Its ability to transform Werewolves immediately can accelerate your board presence and enable powerful plays much earlier than normal. By bypassing the usual requirements for Werewolf transformation, you can utilize your creatures’ enhanced abilities right away, effectively accelerating your resource deployment on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Although Geier Reach Bandit itself may not operate at instant speed, its transformative impact kicks in at such timing. It means any Werewolf cards played after it becomes Vildin-Pack Alpha will immediately benefit from its effect, blindly of the turn’s phase or who’s turn it is. This allows for unexpected tactical plays and interaction with the transformed Werewolves that now possess their more potent abilities ready to engage or react without waiting for the condition of having no spells cast in a turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Geier Reach Bandit doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it is part of a deck archetype that often leverages discard mechanics that can deplete your hand quickly if not managed carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: Geier Reach Bandit requires a red mana cost, which can restrict deck-building flexibility. Decks without a red mana base will find it challenging to incorporate this werewolf card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that must be red, Geier Reach Bandit may be considered costly for its initial impact on the board. Aggro decks, in particular, may have more efficient options at this mana spot.


Reasons to Include Geier Reach Bandit in Your Collection

Versatility: Geier Reach Bandit is a multifaceted card, fitting seamlessly into werewolf tribal decks and those harnessing the power of flipping mechanics. Its ability to immediately transform Human Werewolves cements its place in various red and werewolf-centric strategies.

Combo Potential: When transformed into Vildin-Pack Alpha, this card synergizes with other transformable creatures. By granting them the ability to transform upon entering the battlefield, it opens up opportunities for powerful combo plays and unexpected shifts in battlefield control.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that appreciates quick and impactful plays, Geier Reach Bandit holds its ground. Acting as both an aggressor and enabler, it’s particularly potent in a meta that values speed and creature-based tactics, securing its relevance in competitive play.


How to beat

Geier Reach Bandit is a formidable force in MTG, known for its ability to transform into Vildin-Pack Alpha, which then allows werewolf creatures to enter the battlefield already transformed. Preventing this swift transition is key in stifling the Bandit’s impact. One effective strategy is to maintain a steady flow of spell casting. By casting at least two spells during your own turn, you prevent the Bandit from flipping to its more powerful form.

Another approach is to employ instant speed removal. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Bandit before it becomes a greater threat in its transformed state. It’s also wise to include creatures that can block and trade with the Bandit, preserving a balance on the battlefield. In multiplayer games, cooperation among opponents to manage the number of spells cast can also be a crucial element in keeping Geier Reach Bandit from dominating the game. Understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategies when the Bandit is in play can give you an upper hand in knowing when to hold back or go all in with your removal resources.

By implementing these techniques, players can mitigate the risks posed by Geier Reach Bandit and keep their opponents at bay, maintaining control of the game’s pace and momentum.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you have seen, Geier Reach Bandit is a versatile and potent card in MTG, particularly within werewolf-focused strategies. Its transformative power can quickly turn the tide of a game, fostering swift and hefty plays on the board. Paired with other creature-based cards, it thrives by accelerating your game plan and enhancing your werewolves’ abilities, making every creature you cast potentially game-changing. We encourage MTG players seeking to bolster their creature tactics or enrich their collection with dynamic cards to delve deeper into the strategies surrounding Geier Reach Bandit. Visit us for in-depth guidance, strategy breakdowns, and to discover how to optimally integrate this card into your deck for a commanding presence in the heat of battle.


Cards like Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha

Geier Reach Bandit is a unique creature card in MTG, with an intriguing mechanic that accelerates the werewolf transformation process. When compared to other cards, Village Messenger stands out with its swiftness and lower casting cost, yet it lacks the Bandit’s conversion acceleration ability. Furthermore, the Geier Reach Bandit’s formidable flip side, Vildin-Pack Alpha, permits other werewolves to enter the battlefield already transformed, which is unequaled by the Messenger.

Another card worth mentioning in the same breath is Huntmaster of the Fells, a card with a higher mana cost, but it brings more immediate value by creating a wolf token and adjusting life totals upon entering or transforming. While Huntmaster offers a varied package of advantages, Geier Reach Bandit excels in enabling faster aggression by transforming your werewolves without requiring the usual setup of a skipped player turn.

Each card has its place in a werewolf-themed deck, yet Geier Reach Bandit claims a pivotal role for its unique transforming synergy, presenting a strong argument for inclusion in decks aiming for quick, transformative aggression.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 1592015transformblackSlawomir Maniak
22016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 159s2015transformblackSlawomir Maniak
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1592015transformblackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Geier Reach Bandit // Vildin-Pack Alpha card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2016-04-08 If a creature with haste transforms and no longer has haste on the same turn that it comes under your control, such as if you cast a Geier Reach Bandit when you already control a Vildin-Pack Alpha, it won’t be able to attack that turn.
2016-04-08 If you control three Vildin-Pack Alphas and a Werewolf enters the battlefield under your control, you may transform it, transform it again, and transform it a third time.
2016-04-08 The abilities that transform a Werewolf back and forth look at the entire previous turn, even if the Werewolf with that ability wasn’t on the battlefield for some or all of that turn.
2016-04-08 To trigger the Werewolf’s back face’s transform ability, a single player must have cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won’t trigger.
2016-07-13 For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics).

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