Apes of Rath MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Ape
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Power	5
Toughness	4
Number	214
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff Laubenstein

Key Takeaways

Apes of Rath gains you card advantage by unexpectedly removing opponent creatures, impacting their board influence.
The card demands strategic hand resource management due to its discard requirement for activation.
It’s a flexible card for various game states but requires a red-dedicated or diverse mana base.

Text of card

If Apes of Rath attacks, it does not untap during your next untap phase.

Monkeys three, monkeys through.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When summoning Apes of Rath, you gain the upper hand by potentially displacing an opponent’s creature, effectively diminishing their board presence and improving your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Apes of Rath can indirectly affect mana by removing potential mana dorks or other utility creatures opponents control, thereby hindering their resource accumulation.

Instant Speed: The versatile nature of Apes of Rath being instant speed empowers players to utilize the card as a strategic response during an opponent’s turn, making it a surprise element capable of disrupting the opponent’s strategy at a critical moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Apes of Rath requires a player to discard another card. This could be a potential drawback during gameplay, especially if the player is already low on hand resources. Managing your hand to accommodate for this effect is crucial to utilizing this card effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to summon Apes of Rath is exclusively red, necessitating a mono-red deck or a well-structured multicolored mana base to reliably cast it. Players running decks without a heavy red component might find it challenging to meet the casting requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value, Apes of Rath may be considered costly for its power level and abilities. Other creatures or spells in the same mana range could provide greater impact on the board or offer additional versatility which makes it a less favorable option in some cases.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Apes of Rath adds a unique layer to your deck, with its ability to act as both an aggressive creature early game and a blocker when you’re on the defense. This card can adapt to various board states, making it a valuable addition to decks that require flexibility.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that trigger on creature damage or when creatures die. By pairing it with cards that benefit from such interactions, you can craft powerful combinations that can outmaneuver your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to challenge specific creature-heavy strategies, Apes of Rath has the potential to be a strong sideboard card in a meta dominated by creature-based aggro decks. It serves as a strategic play that could tip the scales in your favor during critical matches.

How to beat Apes of Rath Mtg Card

Apes of Rath embeds itself in the lore of Magic: The Gathering as a distinctive creature card. While it’s not the powerhouse that instantly turns the game, its presence can complicate the battlefield for many players. This card brings a certain strategy to the table, which could catch opponents off guard, but it also opens up avenues for counterplay.

Centrally, removal spells are your most efficient tool against Apes of Rath. Consider spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile that can dispose of creatures reliably. Moreover, sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation are adept at clearing the field of multiples without discrimination. Remember, timing is essential; it’s beneficial to wait until your opponent has committed to their play before sweeping the board, maximizing your value.

Additionally, combat tricks and buffs can tip the scales in your favor. Utilize cards that boost your creatures’ stats or grant them abilities like first strike or deathtouch to ensure favorable outcomes during combat against these Apes. The key is to maintain control and remain nimble in your responses, this way you ensure that the Apes of Rath card doesn’t overwhelm your game plan.

Cards like Apes of Rath

Apes of Rath introduces an intriguing dynamic to creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, bearing similarities to other animal-centric options. For instance, it echoes Gorilla Shaman in theme and form, but with a unique twist. Unlike the Shaman’s ability to destroy artifacts, Apes of Rath offers a robust combat presence, often catching opponents off guard due to their evasion ability against nonbasic lands.

Another card worth mentioning is Kird Ape, whose strength hinges on the presence of a forest to bolster its power. However, the Apes of Rath don’t depend on land types for their power boost, marking a significant advantage. Moving to another relative, Uktabi Orangutan provides a utility play with its artifact destruction upon entering the battlefield, which contrasts with the more direct assault strategy utilized by Apes of Rath.

To sum up, while there are several primate-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering, the Apes of Rath carve out their niche with their land evasion capability, distinguishing themselves from others that rely on additional conditions or provide different utilities, thus making them a noteworthy choice for players who favor aggressive tactics.

Cards similar to Apes of Rath by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Apes of Rath MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Apes of Rath and other MTG cards: