The Belligerent MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 384
2023-11-17 - Number 225
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Artifact — Vehicle |
| Abilities | Crew,Treasure |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Whenever The Belligerent attacks, create a Treasure token. Until end of turn, you may look at the top card of your library any time, and you may play lands and cast spells from the top of your library. Crew 3
Cards like The Belligerent
The Belligerent brings a competitive edge to creatures that can trash their opponents in Magic: The Gathering. When we compare it to other aggressive cards, such as Goblin Guide, we observe a distinct difference in initial impact. Goblin Guide might be less daunting with its 2/2 body, but it provides immediate board presence with its haste, unlike The Belligerent that requires build-up to reach its full potential.
In the realm of red combat creatures, Zurgo Bellstriker is another card that shares aggression but offers a dash mechanic for quick play. It stands out with the option for early and repeated attacks, but lacks the staying power against larger creatures that The Belligerent can handle thanks to its higher toughness. Another competitor is Flameblade Adept, which capitalizes on discarding cards to boost its attack—a synergy that can be explosive but requires additional setup that The Belligerent doesn’t.
Considering these aspects, The Belligerent positions itself as a solid choice for players seeking a resilient and escalating threat, making a marked spot for itself amongst other fierce combatants in the game.
Cards similar to The Belligerent by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using The Belligerent. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | UOL LCI Sealed League | |
 | Izzet Aggro | Standard | Izzet Pirates | BLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open |
 | Jeskai Mindsplice | Standard | Jeskai Artifacts | Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Belligerent card paves the way for gaining the upper hand by enabling a draw mechanism that ensures you stay ahead in the card count. This is particularly vital when looking to outmatch your opponent over the course of the game by having access to more resources and options.
Resource Acceleration: This card excels at propelling your resource pool forward, granting you additional mana sources that can be critical for unleashing powerful plays or intricate combos earlier than usual. It sets the stage for a dynamic game where you can outpace and outmaneuver your opposition.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of The Belligerent card cannot be overstated. Its instant speed provides strategic depth, allowing you to react in real-time to the evolving battlefield. Retain control while keeping opponents guessing, by strategically deciding the optimal moment to swing the momentum in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Belligerent requires a card to be discarded when casting it, which can often be detrimental, particularly when your hand is already dwindling or each card is pivotal to your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands a precise mana combination, which restricts its use to decks that can consistently generate both the required color and quantity of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep cost compared to its abilities, The Belligerent may be outperformed by other cards with lower mana requirements or offer more strategic versatility to a player’s deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Belligerent card proves to be a flexible tool in an array of deck builds, facilitating aggressive strategies while also serving as a solid defensive option against a variety of threats.
Combo Potential: With its unique abilities, The Belligerent can synergize with various cards, unlocking powerful combinations that can swiftly turn the tide of a game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where board control and timely aggression are key, including The Belligerent in your deck ensures you remain competitive and capable of countering prevalent strategies.
How to beat
The Belligerent is a formidable challenge for any MTG player, known for its aggressive tactics and resilience on the battlefield. To gain the upper hand against this card, a strategic mix of removal spells and timing is essential. Utilizing instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly effective, as it allows you to react swiftly during your opponent’s turn or in response to the card being declared as an attacker.
Another angle to consider is the denial of resources. The Belligerent thrives in a resource-rich environment, so hindering its mana base through cards like Blood Moon or Field of Ruin can stifle its potential. It’s also worth keeping counterspells handy for preemptive measures. A well-played Counterspell or Negate can prevent The Belligerent from ever hitting the board, allowing you to maintain control of the game pace.
Board wipes are yet another effective strategy. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation reset the playing field, which can be a game-changing move against a card designed to dominate through force. Managing this threat requires a careful balance of these tactics, ensuring that you’re always prepared to counter its aggressive advances.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Belligerent MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 The Belligerent 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 The Belligerent Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Bruce Brenneise.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 384 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bruce Brenneise | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 225 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bruce Brenneise |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where The Belligerent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Belligerent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | If the top card of your library changes while you're casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can't look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast a spell from the top of your library, you can't look at the next one until you're done paying for that spell. |
| 2023-11-10 | If the top card of your library has an Adventure, you can cast the Adventure spell this way. |
| 2023-11-10 | Once The Belligerent's triggered ability resolves, you can look at the top card of your library whenever you want until end of turn (with one restriction; see below), even if you don't have priority. This action doesn't use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand. |
| 2023-11-10 | You must pay all costs and follow all timing rules for spells cast and lands played from the top of your library this way. |