Thriving Rhino MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 171
2020-11-12 - Number 183
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Rhino |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Thriving Rhino enters the battlefield, you get (two energy counters). Whenever Thriving Rhino attacks, you may pay . If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
As unpredictable as aether, and just as hard to contain.
Cards like Thriving Rhino
Thriving Rhino, a creature card in Magic the Gathering, earns its stripes within the wide array of green energy counters creatures. Comparable to Longtusk Cub, Thriving Rhino also benefits from the energy counter mechanism but starts off as a stronger base creature. Nonetheless, Longtusk Cub can potentially grow faster due to its ability to accumulate multiple counters on a single attack.
Another card echoing the energy theme is Bristling Hydra. This card requires a higher mana investment compared to Thriving Rhino, yet it offers an immediate energy boost and the added benefit of hexproof, providing resilience against targeted removals. While Bristling Hydra might be preferred in a deck focusing on protection and energy build-up, Thriving Rhino could be better suited for players looking for a robust starter creature that steadily becomes more formidable.
In a broader look across similar mechanics, Aether Herder brings direct energy as well as creature production into play, making it another choice for synergy with energy-themed decks. Yet, it does not provide the same potential for consistent growth in power and toughness that Thriving Rhino does.
While each card shines in different scenarios, Thriving Rhino stands out for those seeking a steady, scalable threat that can contend with a variety of board states in the ever-evolving game of Magic the Gathering.
Cards similar to Thriving Rhino by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thriving Rhino presents a strategic edge by potentially growing stronger each turn, essentially becoming a recurring threat that doesn’t require additional cards to maintain its power level.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly produce additional mana or tokens, this creature’s increasing size can prompt faster board development as opponents must deal with it swiftly, indirectly accelerating your resource deployment by dividing their focus.
Instant Speed: Though Thriving Rhino itself isn’t an instant, its synergy with instant-speed energy-generating cards allows for unexpected growth during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, adapting swiftly to the evolving battlefield conditions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thriving Rhino requires specific energy counters to activate its ability, which could be a setback when your energy reserve is depleted and you can’t afford to lose the momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a mix of generic and green mana, constraining its efficiency to decks that can reliably produce these types of mana early in the game and potentially excluding it from more color-diverse strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana to get Thriving Rhino on the battlefield, it competes with other three-drop creatures that may provide immediate impact or better stats, making it a less compelling choice in some scenarios.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thriving Rhino’s adaptability makes it a solid choice for a variety of decks, particularly those that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or energy counters. Its ability to grow stronger with every energy spent makes it a game-changer in long matches.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that generate or double energy counters, Thriving Rhino becomes a potent threat. It easily slots into synergistic plays, augmenting strategies that focus on proliferating or manipulating counters for an overwhelming board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards resilient creatures, Thriving Rhino can perform exceptionally well. Its incremental growth can outpace opponents’ removal strategies, ensuring it remains a relevant choice in evolving deck builds.
How to beat
Thriving Rhino is a creature card that poses an interesting challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. As part of the energy counter mechanic, this creature can become quite formidable on the battlefield. Players facing a Thriving Rhino often prioritize its removal before it can grow out of control. One effective strategy is to employ removal spells that can target the Rhino before it accumulates additional +1/+1 counters from its energy ability.
Timing your removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile is crucial, as you’d want to deal with the Rhino before your opponent has the chance to generate extra energy and buff it. Avoid letting the Rhino attack and gain those precious counters. If you’re in a bind without removal, consider using de-buffing spells or effects that can neutralize it, perhaps by reducing its power or negating its abilities temporarily.
Remember, the key to overcoming creatures like Thriving Rhino lies in preemptive action and efficient use of your resources. Keep your answers ready, and don’t let the Rhino’s potential for growth dictate the flow of the game. By maintaining control and applying pressure, you’ll stand a much better chance at containing this proliferating threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thriving Rhino MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Thriving Rhino and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Thriving Rhino Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 171 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 183 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thriving Rhino has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thriving Rhino card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | Energy counters are a kind of counter that a player may have. They're not associated with specific permanents. (Other kinds of counters that players may have include poison and experience.) |
| 2017-02-09 | Energy counters aren't mana. They don't go away as steps, phases, and turns end, and effects that add mana “of any type” to your mana pool can't give you energy counters. |
| 2017-02-09 | If an effect says you get one or more , you get that many energy counters. To pay one or more , you lose that many energy counters. Any effects that interact with counters a player gets, has, or loses can interact with energy counters. |
| 2017-02-09 | Keep careful track of how many energy counters each player has. You may do so by keeping a running count on paper, by using a die, or by any other clear and mutually agreeable method. |
| 2017-02-09 | Some triggered abilities state that you “may pay” a certain amount of . You can't pay that amount multiple times to multiply the effect. You simply choose whether or not to pay that amount of as the ability resolves, and no player may take actions to try to stop the ability's effect after you make your choice. |
| 2017-02-09 | You can't pay more energy counters than you have. |
| 2017-02-09 | is the energy symbol. It represents one energy counter. |