Spike Jester MTG Card
2013-05-03 - Number 106
2017-03-17 - Number 188
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste
For the Rakdos, "suicidal charge" and "good showmanship" are one and the same.
Cards like Spike Jester
Exploring the vast array of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Spike Jester emerges as an aggressive option for players who favor Rakdos decks. Comparable to Spike Jester in terms of aggression is Mogg Flunkies, both boasting a strong power-to-cost ratio. Mogg Flunkies brings to the battlefield a formidable presence, sharing the same total power as Spike Jester. However, they differ as Mogg Flunkies requires another creature to attack, while Spike Jester can strike swiftly on its own.
Goblin Heelcutter is another member of this aggressive family, offering a similar quick-strike advantage with the added utility of disabling an opponent’s blocker. Although Heelcutter comes with a higher mana cost, its built-in “Dash” ability gives it a recurring threat capability that our featured jester lacks. Conversely, Spike Jester’s immediate impact with its haste attribute is unmatched in this comparison.
All things considered, Spike Jester holds its ground as a solid choice for players seeking immediate combat pressure in their MTG decks. Its effortless blend of speed and power makes it a staple in swift attack strategies, benchmarking it against others in its echelon.
Cards similar to Spike Jester by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Spike Jester. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Midrange | Modern | Rakdos Midrange | Modern Challenge 64 2024-05-05 |
| BR | Modern | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-29 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spike Jester itself may not draw cards, but its aggressive cost-to-damage ratio can pressure an opponent to trade off higher-value cards just to survive. This can indirectly lead to a card advantage as your opponent is forced to deal with the threat quickly.
Resource Acceleration: While Spike Jester doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost allows you to deploy other threats alongside it without missing a beat. This efficiency enables you to develop your board while still holding mana for other plays, keeping the pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Spike Jester is a creature and not an instant, its value in aggressive strategies can be pivotal during the combat phase. Playing it pre-combat can create unexpected situations for your opponent, forcing them to react without adequate preparation, much like the surprise factor of an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Spike Jester doesn’t ask players to discard directly, the need to maintain a hand capable of casting it means potential card advantage loss as games progress. Ensuring you’ve got the right mix of lands and spells to deploy Spike Jester effectively can sometimes lead to disadvantageous discards earlier on.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and black mana limits Spike Jester to multicolor decks that include these colors. This condition might exclude the card from certain strategies or mono-colored decks, which cannot accommodate the hybrid mana cost without a hitch.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its 3/1 stats and haste, some players may find the two-specific-mana cost a bit steep, especially since other creatures in the same mana range might offer additional abilities or higher toughness. While the haste ability of Spike Jester is an immediate board impact, in a fast-paced match, the mana cost could still be a hurdle for deploying other spells in the same turn.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spike Jester due to its blend of aggression and speed, integrates well with various Rakdos and aggro decks. Its hastiness allows it to catch opponents off guard, making it a suitable choice for decks that aim to win quickly.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combos with cards that feed off creature attacks or death triggers, such as “Blood Artist.” The swift damage Spike Jester delivers can quickly add up, especially when paired with sacrifice or ETB-triggered abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors swift, early-game pressure, Spike Jester disrupts your adversary’s game plan by demanding an immediate answer or dishing out significant damage, solidifying its relevance in many competitive settings.
How to beat
Spike Jester presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its aggressive playstyle. As a quick 3/1 creature with both haste and low casting cost, it can deal early game damage and exert pressure on opponents. To counteract Spike Jester’s strengths, it’s essential to have efficient removal spells or creatures that can block without incurring high costs.
Considering Spike Jester’s single point of toughness, spells like Shock or even a simple Typhoid Rats can deal with it effectively. Having early blockers with reach or deathtouch capabilities also prove as good deterrents. Keeping a balanced deck that includes creature control can help stabilize the board against such swift threats. It’s about maintaining board control and ensuring that your strategy can handle quick offenses without disrupting your overall gameplay.
Ultimately, the key is to be prepared for fast attackers like Spike Jester. Incorporate flexible response cards and manage your resources to mitigate early onslaughts. By doing so, you maintain a strong defense while setting the stage to execute your strategy and take control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spike Jester MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Spike Jester 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Spike Jester Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Ryan Barger.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-05-03 | Dragon's Maze | DGM | 106 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ryan Barger | |
| 2 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 188 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Barger |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spike Jester has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |