Viashino Runner MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Viashino
Abilities Menace
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Its unblockable-by-blue feature is advantageous in red decks against blue-centric metagames.
  2. High mana cost and discard requirement may reduce its effectiveness and versatility.
  3. Resource acceleration and surprise attacks bolster aggressive MTG playing styles.

Text of card

Viashino Runner cannot be blocked by only one creature.

"It moved this way, an' that way, an' then before I could stick it, it jumped over my head an' was gone." —Jula, goblin raider


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not directly providing card draw, Viashino Runner’s bypassing of blockers can maintain pressure on the opponent, indirectly leading to a card advantage as it consistently deals damage, diminishing opponent resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card slots efficiently into aggressive strategies, encouraging a faster-paced game. Viashino Runner can rapidly decrease an opponent’s life total, accelerating towards game closure and offering a tempo boost.

Instant Speed: While Viashino Runner itself isn’t an instant, its unblockable nature allows for strategic attacks during the combat phase. This element of surprise aligns with the idea of instant-speed play, catching an opponent off-guard and optimizing the timing of your offense.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Viashino Runner forces you to discard another card when using its discard ability, which may put you at a disadvantage by depleting your hand unnecessarily, especially if you’re unable to leverage graveyard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both red and other mana, it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that require a more flexible mana base. This limitation can hinder deck-building options and overall strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including double red, Viashino Runner’s cost is significant compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players might find more impactful cards with potent abilities or better stats to play at this cost, making Viashino Runner a less attractive choice for tight mana curves.


Reasons to Include Viashino Runner in Your Collection

Versatility: Viashino Runner’s unblockability against blue creatures can be a tactical advantage in a red deck, giving it a reliable way to deal damage in a color-heavy metagame.

Combo Potential: It can be paired with equipment and auras that boost its attack, turning it into a formidable threat that can bypass specific blockers.

Meta-Relevance: As blue control decks persist in the meta, Viashino Runner becomes a more relevant choice, capable of slipping past common control creatures to maintain pressure on your opponent.


How to beat

Viashino Runner from Magic: The Gathering stands out in red creature decks due to its unblockable property when solely attacking. The card offers an interesting dynamic on the battlefield, making it a useful asset for chipping away at an opponent’s life total. To counter this, consider employing removal spells that target the Viashino Runner before it declares an attack, such as Shock or Lightning Bolt, successfully disrupting your opponent’s attacking plans.

Another strategy involves controlling the board with cards like Pacifism or Propaganda, which prevent it from attacking or make it prohibitively expensive for your opponent to attack with the Runner. Additionally, utilizing creatures with reach or flying can work defensively, restricting the Viashino Runner’s effectiveness as they can block even when it’s unblockable to others.

Overall, handling Viashino Runner is about anticipation and swift removal. Include instant-speed interaction in your deck to address the threat the moment it hits the table. By prioritizing its removal or cleverly working around its abilities, the Runner becomes less of a threat and more of a minor nuisance in the grand strategy of your MTG game.


Cards like Viashino Runner

Viashino Runner brings its own flavor to the realm of Magic: The Gathering, standing amongst other creature cards that share its unblockable attributes. A comparison can be made with Thalakos Scout, which also can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying, offering players a degree of evasion. Though Thalakos Scout requires a two mana cost to achieve this evasion each turn, Viashino Runner demands no such payment, making it a reliable option for consistent damage.

Another similar card is Distortion Strike, a sorcery that not only makes a creature unblockable for a turn but also provides a rebound effect for repeated utility. While Distortion Strike effects are temporary, Viashino Runner remains an everlasting threat on the battlefield. Skulking Ghost and Prickleboar also provide unblockable conditions under certain circumstances but demand specific board states or timing to be effective, unlike the consistent pressure Viashino Runner applies.

Evaluating everything, Viashino Runner showcases its strength through sustained board presence and an innate unblockable nature, securing itself as a noteworthy choice for players aiming to steadily chip away at their opponent’s life total without the conditional requirements that other cards impose.

Thalakos Scout - MTG Card versions
Distortion Strike - MTG Card versions
Skulking Ghost - MTG Card versions
Prickleboar - MTG Card versions
Thalakos Scout - Exodus (EXO)
Distortion Strike - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Skulking Ghost - Mirage (MIR)
Prickleboar - Magic Origins (ORI)

Cards similar to Viashino Runner by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viashino Runner MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Tenth Edition, 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 Viashino Runner and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Viashino Runner Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Steve White.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 2241997normalblackSteve White
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2452003normalblackSteve White

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viashino Runner has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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