Tibalt's Rager MTG Card

Tibalt’s Rager provides card draw upon death, ensuring your hand stays resourceful during play. Its presence demands opponents’ attention, indirectly accelerating your own game tempo. Instant-speed sacrifice outlets can turn Tibalt’s Rager’s death trigger into a strategic boon.

War of the Spark (WAR)
2019-05-03 - Number 147

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 1084

Jumpstart (JMP)
2020-07-17 - Number 366

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number WAR-147

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Devil
Power	1
Toughness	2

Text of card

When Tibalt's Rager dies, it deals 1 damage to any target. : Tibalt's Rager gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

"Find out whose that is. I like its energy." —Judith

Cards like Tibalt's Rager

Tibalt’s Rager is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering designed with both attack and defense in mind. It stands out due to its ability to deal damage upon death, making it a threat even in demise. When looking at creatures with similar cost and functionalities, the comparison with Footlight Fiend is inevitable. Although Footlight Fiend also has the ability to deal damage as it leaves the battlefield, it does not have the power growth option that Tibalt’s Rager possesses for a mere one red mana.

Another card worth mentioning in the same conversation is Grim Initiate. Like Tibalt’s Rager, it provides a death-related advantage by leaving behind a 1/1 Zombie token with lifelink. However, Tibalt’s Rager offers direct damage which can be crucial in tipping the scales of a closely fought battle. Lastly, we look at Mogg Fanatic, a classic card, which grants the player the control to sacrifice it at any time to deal damage, offering more flexibility compared to the reactive nature of Tibalt’s Rager’s ability.

While all these cards provide value in their unique ways, Tibalt’s Rager’s unique blend of aggressive capabilities and a tactical exit makes it a noteworthy option for players who favor red decks and direct damage strategies.

Cards similar to Tibalt's Rager by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tibalt’s Rager comes with an ability to provide extra draw when it dies. This can be a valuable asset in a deck that thrives on keeping the hand filled with options, frequently allowing you to replace it with a new card from your deck, thus maintaining your resource levels.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration in the form of mana or Treasure tokens, Tibalt’s Rager can pressurize your opponent by requiring immediate answers. Each turn it remains on the battlefield, your opponent is forced to deal with an escalating threat, diverting their resources that could have been spent on developing their own board, effectively giving you a subtle tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: While Tibalt’s Rager itself isn’t played at instant speed, its death trigger can be exploited using instant-speed sacrifice outlets. By sacrificing Tibalt’s Rager in response to an opponent’s action, you gain immediate access to its ability to draw, turning a potentially unfavorable situation into a chance for card advantage and possible on-the-fly synergies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tibalt’s Rager necessitates a resource sacrifice from your hand, which could be detrimental when you’re running short on cards and need to maintain an optimal hand size for strategy execution.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a particular color for casting – red mana. This specific mana cost can restrict deck-building diversity and could be a hurdle when you are trying to maintain a flexible mana base in a multicolor deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against other options available in the MTG universe, Tibalt’s Rager has a mana value that might be considered on the higher side for its abilities. Other cards at a similar cost can potentially provide greater value or a stronger board presence.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tibalt’s Rager adds value to multiple deck types with its flexible damage-dealing ability and willingness to trade with more substantial threats. This makes it a practical inclusion across diverse strategies.

Combo Potential: When Tibalt’s Rager dies, its ability to deal one damage to any target can be leveraged in decks designed to capitalize on creature death or direct damage synergies, expanding its utility far beyond a simple creature card.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are common in various metas, Tibalt’s Rager can serve as a cost-effective method to disrupt opponents’ boards, making it a savvy pick for competitive and casual players alike.

How to beat

Tibalt’s Rager is a dynamic creature card that can add pressure to your opponent in a game of MTG. With its ability to increase its power when it becomes targeted, it becomes a tricky card to deal with. To effectively overcome this rager, strategies need to be subtle yet powerful.

One tactic is utilizing spells that can remove creatures without targeting, like board wipes or those that change the rules of engagement such as mass -1/-1 counters. Remember, if you can prevent Tibalt’s Rager from being the focus of a spell or an ability, its intimidating power boost is negated. It’s also beneficial to overpower the board with creatures that can surpass what Tibalt’s Rager can muster, even in its enhanced state. In essence, focusing on maintaining control and building a dominant board presence can assure that Tibalt’s Rager is just another creature your opponent plays, rather than a threat.

Ultimately, defeating Tibalt’s Rager comes down to strategic play, maintaining board control, and choosing the right moment to deploy your removal. With these tactics, you can ensure Tibalt’s Rager is more of a minor nuisance than a game-deciding menace.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tibalt's Rager MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Mystery Booster, 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 Tibalt's Rager and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tibalt's Rager Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2019-05-03	War of the Spark	WAR	147	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	1084	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi
3	2020-07-17	Jumpstart	JMP	366	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	WAR-147	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tibalt's Rager has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal