Varchild's War-Riders MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 83
2007-09-10 - Number 110
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Cumulative upkeep,Rampage,Trample |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Trample, rampage: 1 Cumulative Upkeep: Put a Survivor token into play under target opponent's control. Treat this token as a 1/1 red creature.
"What tries to crush our spirit only strengthens our resolve." —Lovisa Coldeyes, Balduvian Chieftain
Understanding the Uniqueness of Varchild’s War-Riders
Varchild’s War-Riders holds a distinctive position in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some traits with cards like Goblin Assault, in the sense that both create token creatures that compel your opponents to act. Varchild’s War-Riders, distinctive for its cumulative upkeep cost, allows you to gift a Survivor token to an opponent every turn, which can be especially synergistic in decks that benefit from the number of creatures in play.
Cards like Varchild's War-Riders
Varchild’s War-Riders from the oft-remembered set, Alliances, isn’t alone in its ability to generate tokens for opponents. Take Forbidden Orchard for example, a land that gives your opponent a creature token whenever you tap it for mana. While this suits strategies that aim to exploit the presence of creatures on your opponent’s side, the War-Riders uniquely tip the balance by being a persistent creature themselves.
Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs is another card sharing this philosophy but with a defensive bent, deterring opponents from attacking by potentially granting them Ogre tokens. However, Varchild’s War-Riders does this proactively, on your terms, every turn. And while Kazuul acts as a deterrent, Varchild’s enables more aggressive strategies, especially when combined with ways to take advantage of those tokens, either through sacrifice or damage amplification mechanics.
While Varchild’s War-Riders requires a deeper strategy and the right deck to truly shine, it stands out for its unique approach to token generation and potential board influence. It’s a card that, with the right support, can define the pace and direction of the gameplay, illustrating why it remains a topic of interest for Magic: The Gathering players exploring innovative deck-building paths.
Cards similar to Varchild's War-Riders by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Varchild’s War-Riders can consistently generate tokens for your opponents; however, these Survivor tokens can be transformed into card advantage for you. Using cards that grant you control over creatures your opponents own, these token creatures can quickly become an army on your side, effectively translating into a card advantage that can tip the scales in your favor during a match.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens that can be used for Resource Acceleration, the cumulative upkeep cost of putting tokens onto the battlefield can be leveraged with various cards that tap creatures for mana or other abilities. As you accumulate a larger number of Survivors, you can find creative ways to accelerate your resources.
Instant Speed: The unique ability of Varchild’s War-Riders to produce tokens is inherently boosted at instant speed. Cards that synergize with Varchild’s War-Riders, like those allowing you to sacrifice creatures at instant speed for an effect, can be used in response to actions your opponents take. Furthermore, instant speed spells that manipulate or benefit from the newly created Survivor tokens can offer surprise plays and strategic depth to your game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Varchild’s War-Riders can present a deck-building challenge because of its potential to clutter your battlefield with Survivor tokens. Each turn, the accumulation of these tokens may force you to discard, if strategies to utilize or sacrifice them aren’t in place.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and generic mana, the War-Riders necessitate a dedicated mana base. This can complicate your deck’s color balance, especially in multi-colored builds that may struggle to consistently produce the needed red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two generic and one red mana, Varchild’s War-Riders are on the pricier side for its base stats. In an aggressive red deck, there are other creatures and spells that could provide more immediate impact or flexibility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Varchild’s War-Riders can be a versatile addition to any red deck, especially ones focusing on creature-based strategies or token generation. The card’s ability to provide a consistent stream of Survivor tokens each turn can bolster your board presence significantly over time.
Combo Potential: The Survivor tokens generated not only offer chump blockers but also can synergize with sacrifice outlets or effects that capitalize on having numerous creatures on the battlefield. This makes Varchild’s War-Riders a card with substantial combo potential in decks built around such mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small tokens can be leveraged for various strategies or where aggressive red decks are looking to maintain a board presence against control archetypes, Varchild’s War-Riders can add a unique element of pressure and board development.
How to beat
Varchild’s War-Riders stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique card that introduces a delicate balance of aggression and liability. This creature is known for its Cumulative Upkeep cost which grants an opponent a 1/1 Survivor token for each age counter it receives. While this can quickly escalate into an overwhelming advantage for your opponent, it can also backfire by providing you with expendable units that may later serve your stratagems.
To counter Varchild’s War-Riders, consider employing tactics that manipulate or remove the Survivor tokens it provides. Board wipes like Wrath of God or targeted removal such as Path to Exile can efficiently deal with the tokens and maintain a clear battlefield. Another approach is to take advantage of sacrifice effects that use your opponent’s tokens to fuel your spells or abilities.
Ultimately, containing the potential token flood is crucial. Strategic removal and clever use of token mechanics can turn the tables on Varchild’s War-Riders, converting a possible threat into an opportunity. By staying ahead of the Survivor token generation, you maintain control and prevent your opponent from capitalizing on their growing army.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Varchild's War-Riders MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters 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 Varchild's War-Riders and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Varchild's War-Riders Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Susan Van Camp.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 83 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 2 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 110 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Varchild's War-Riders has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Varchild's War-Riders 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 | In a multiplayer game, you can put the Survivor tokens onto the battlefield under the control of different players. |
| 2008-10-01 | Paying cumulative upkeep is always optional. If it’s not paid, the permanent with cumulative upkeep is sacrificed. Partial payments of the total cumulative upkeep cost can’t be made. For example, if a permanent with “cumulative upkeep ” has three age counters on it when its cumulative upkeep ability triggers, it gets another age counter and then its controller chooses to either pay or sacrifice the permanent. |