Stampede Rider MTG Card

Allows for improved card draw, granting a strategic edge through a fuller hand of options. Boosts board presence by summoning creatures, accelerating your resource conversion and play tempo. Encourages inclusion of instant-speed actions, enabling a reactive strategy to combat contingencies.
Stampede Rider - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Satyr
Abilities Trample
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number155
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAaron Miller

Text of card

Trample At the beginning of each combat, if you control a creature with power 4 or greater, Stampede Rider gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

To a satyr, a stampede is just another kind of revelry.

Cards like Stampede Rider

Stampede Rider is an intriguing creature card to consider for decks in Magic the Gathering that revolve around a swift and sizeable offense. It bears resemblance to cards such as Loyal Pegasus, which also necessitates another creature to attack. Unlike Loyal Pegasus, Stampede Rider benefits from having more creatures on the battlefield, growing in strength with every creature you control with a power of 4 or greater.

In a similar context, we find Aetherstream Leopard. It shares the trample ability with Stampede Rider, enabling potential damage to spill over to an opponent when blocked. Even so, the Leopard lacks the same scalability, remaining at a fixed power unless enhanced by other means. Then there’s the Alpine Grizzly, a plain but steadfast creature. While it doesn’t scale with the board state or offer trample, its consistent power level makes it a reliable inclusion in many decks.

Considering the dynamics of power-boosting creatures, Stampede Rider can efficiently become a formidable threat on the battlefield. Its scaling ability in coordination with other creatures makes it a strategic choice for players aiming to overrun opponents with rapidly escalating attacking force.

Loyal Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Aetherstream Leopard - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions
Loyal Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Aetherstream Leopard - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stampede Rider presents a unique opportunity to cycle through your deck more effectively. Every time Stampede Rider attacks you might find yourself drawing into the extra creatures or spells that can turn the tide of the match in your favor, offering an edge over opponents through consistent access to more options.

Resource Acceleration: In games where tempo is key, Stampede Rider can significantly boost your board presence. Summons additional creatures each time it attacks, which not only can overwhelm opponents but also provides additional resources that can be converted into mana through various in-game mechanics, bolstering your ability to cast high-impact spells quicker.

Instant Speed: While Stampede Rider itself may not operate at instant speed, its ability to potentially unleash a herd of creatures encourages decks to include other instant speed tricks and interactions. This setup allows for more reactive play, keeping opponents guessing and allowing you to adapt swiftly to the evolving battlefield conditions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Stampede Rider might ask you to discard as part of its ability, which can be risky if you’re already managing a scarce hand. This can lead to a tough decision between maintaining card advantage and activating its key effects.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a certain mix of mana to cast limits flexibility, potentially restricting the Stampede Rider to decks that can reliably produce the needed colors. This restriction can sometimes hamper deck building and strategic planning.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana demand, Stampede Rider competes with other creatures and spells that might offer greater immediate impact or value over time. This may cause it to be overlooked in favor of more cost-effective options in your deck’s curve.

Reasons to Include Stampede Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Stampede Rider offers a dynamic role in decks that are centered around creatures. Its ability to grow stronger with each attack phase makes it a robust addition to aggro and midrange builds alike, fitting seamlessly into strategies that capitalize on creature numbers.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic strategies that aim to flood the board with creatures. The trample ability ensures that all those extra points of power can punch through defensive lines, making it a key piece in combos that can quickly turn the tide of battle.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the creature meta is prevalent, having a card that grows stronger with your creature count is invaluable. Stampede Rider thrives in such environments, potentially dominating the field against opponents unprepared for a rapidly escalating threat.

How to beat

Stampede Rider is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, quickly becoming a sizable threat when synergizing with a deck focused on amassing creatures. To tackle this challenge, controlling the board is crucial. Employing removal spells to keep the number of creatures in check can prevent Stampede Rider from gaining traction. Cards that deal damage or distribute -1/-1 counters efficiently are particularly useful in these situations.

Another strategy is to go for the root of the problem and remove Stampede Rider itself as soon as it hits the board. Instant speed removal such as Murder or Path to Exile can work wonders here, ensuring your opponent’s board never reaches the critical mass required for Stampede Rider to be effective. Edict effects that force opponents to sacrifice creatures can also bypass the rider’s stat buffs, offering a clean and often unpreventable answer to this growing threat.

Lastly, adding creatures with reach or flying to your deck can provide a defensive canopy against the fearsome rider. This way, even if the opponent’s board develops, you have a guard in place to protect you from the rider’s onslaught. Time your blocks and plays well, and the Stampede Rider’s momentum can be effectively curtailed.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stampede Rider MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Stampede Rider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stampede Rider has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stampede Rider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-01-24 If you don’t control a creature with power 4 or greater as your combat phase begins, Stampede Rider’s ability doesn’t trigger. If you don’t control one as the ability resolves, it has no effect. It doesn’t have to be the same creature at both times, however.
2020-01-24 Once Stampede Rider’s ability has given it +1/+1, it won’t lose that bonus if you no longer control a creature with power 4 or greater later in the turn.
2020-01-24 Stampede Rider gets only +1/+1 from its ability, no matter how many creatures with power 4 or greater you control beyond the first.