Tracker MTG Card

Trackers enable strategic depth and access to essential deck components swiftly. They may accelerate resources, increasing mana or other in-game assets effectively. Having the potential for instant speed, Trackers improve flexibility in response to rivals.

The Dark (DRK)
1994-08-01 - Number 89

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 136

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

o Go G, oc T: Tracker does an amount of damage equal to its power to target creature. Target creature does an amount of damage equal to its power to Tracker.

Cards like Tracker

The Tracker card creates a captivating dynamic in the realm of creature control within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Ambuscade, which allows creatures to deal damage to a target creature an opponent controls. What makes Tracker unique is its ability to recur this effect, albeit at a slower pace. Unlike Ambuscade, Tracker requires time to set up this impact, demanding the player to tap and exchange its combat capabilities to pick off opposing creatures one by one.

Then there’s the card Uktabi Orangutan, which offers a one-time effect of artifact or enchantment removal upon entering the battlefield. While Tracker does not interact with noncreature permanents, its repeatable nature is distinctive. Another card, Viridian Shaman, interacts similarly to Uktabi Orangutan and is often compared in discussions about creature-based removal. Yet again, Tracker stands out for its capacity to systematically whittle down an opponent’s creature base over multiple turns.

In essence, for those who appreciate the tactical advantage of continuous creature control, Tracker has proven to be a valuable card that can dominate a board if left unchecked, outshining its one-shot counterparts due to its reusable utility.

Cards similar to Tracker by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Tracker MTG card enables you to find crucial pieces of your deck rapidly, greatly enhancing card quality in hand and enriching strategic depth during play.

Resource Acceleration: This card may also function as a tool for resource acceleration, potentially ramping up your available mana or other resources, depending on the specific Tracker variant in your deck.

Instant Speed: If the Tracker has instant speed capabilities, it can vastly improve reactive play, letting you wait to exploit the best possible moment and adapt to the unfolding game without sacrificing your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Included in the Tracker’s activation cost is the need to discard a card. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a distinct disadvantage, particularly in game stages where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Tracker requires not just green mana but also an additional investment of two colorless mana to cast. This specific mana cost composition can hinder deck flexibility, making it problematic for players running multiple colors or those with a tight mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card with an ability centered around creature combat, the total cost to both cast and utilize Tracker’s ability can be burdensome. When considering the overall mana investment against alternative creature removal or combat tricks available in MTG, the Tracker’s cost efficiency comes into question.

Reasons to Include Tracker Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: The Tracker card is a flexible addition to any collection due to its wide applicability in various deck builds. Its ability to enhance creature utility makes it a solid choice for decks emphasizing creature interactions and board presence.

Combo Potential: With Tracker, the opportunities to create effective interactions with other cards are substantial. Its integrative abilities pair well with landfall mechanics or effects that benefit from fighting, allowing for strategic creature removal and board advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Trackers are particularly useful in game environments where creatures play a significant role. Its presence on the board can deter opponents from playing smaller creatures or can be used as a repeatable removal option, adapting well to diverse metagame conditions.

How to beat

The Tracker, a classic card in Magic: The Gathering, offers a unique challenge for players. Its reputation for creature control is well-deserved, as it combines with cards that enhance its fighting capability to become a consistent thorn in the side of your opponent’s creature-based strategies. To effectively combat the Tracker, one must employ a multi-faceted approach.

Firstly, prioritize removal spells that can target the Tracker before it becomes too entrenched on the battlefield. Direct damage spells or quick removal options can dispatch the Tracker before it starts picking off creatures one by one. Secondly, consider using hexproof or indestructible creatures that are impervious to the Tracker’s fighting mechanism. Thirdly, enchantments or artifacts that limit the Tracker’s ability or negate its fighting ability can be unexpectedly effective. Lastly, winning the card advantage battle can also nullify the Tracker’s impact, as keeping your hand filled with answers ensures that the Tracker’s presence doesn’t dictate the flow of the game.

As formidable as the Tracker can be, understanding its weaknesses and preparing accordingly can turn the tables, allowing you to maintain control of the game and emerge victorious.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tracker MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Masters Edition III, 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 Tracker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tracker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-08-01	The Dark	DRK		89	1993	Normal	Black	Jeff A. Menges
2	2009-09-07	Masters Edition III	ME3		136	1997	Normal	Black	Jeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tracker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tracker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Giving either creature first strike does not affect the ability.
2004-10-04	If this leaves the battlefield before its activated ability resolves, it will still deal damage to the targeted creature. On the other hand, if the targeted creature leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability won’t resolve and no damage will be dealt.
2009-10-01	You may have Tracker target itself with its own ability. If you do, Tracker will deal damage to itself equal to its power, then immediately do it again.