Verdant Outrider MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 196
2023-09-08 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
: Verdant Outrider can't be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less this turn.
Some knights who survived the invasion have forsaken what remains of their courts. The newly formed Verdant Order has sworn to defend the last untouched parts of the wilds.
Cards like Verdant Outrider
Verdant Outrider thrives within the wide-ranging ecosystem of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Within its green mana affiliation, it echoes a familiar theme found in cards like Llanowar Visionary which also assists in both mana acceleration and card advantage. Verdant Outrider, however, forgoes the direct card drawing for a peek at the top card of your library, stoking the flames of card quality over quantity.
Comparatively, we have Courser of Kruphix, a standout card that allows players to see the top card of their deck and play lands from there, thereby smoothing out their mana flow and deck performance. In contrast, Verdant Outrider offers potential tactical surprise by only revealing the top card to you, keeping opponents uncertain while enabling a sort of mana filtering. Beast Whisperer is another relative, providing consistent card draw with each creature cast, a trait that is more predictable and can fuel a player’s hand over the course of the game.
Assessing Verdant Outrider amidst its counterparts, it’s clear it has its place, particularly for those who value the blend of mana facilitation and the strategic advantage of select card revelation native to the green creature landscape.
Cards similar to Verdant Outrider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Verdant Outrider offers a unique benefit on the battlefield with its ability to create card advantage by drawing additional cards when creatures enter the battlefield under your control with power greater than it.
Resource Acceleration: This card stands out as a powerful enabler for ramp strategies, providing an additional land onto the battlefield as it supports casting high-cost spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: Verdant Outrider’s capability to be utilized at instant speed offers a tactical advantage, making it a versatile addition that can be played reactively to the state of the game, allowing for more strategic depth and decision-making.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Verdant Outrider necessitates discarding another card from your hand to trigger its card draw ability. In situations where your hand is already scarce, this might not always be a beneficial trade-off, especially in a tight game where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Verdant Outrider requires a dedicated mana commitment with specific green mana in its casting cost. This particularity can potentially limit its inclusion to decks that run heavily on green mana or are at least green-centric, potentially reducing its versatility across various MTG deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost demanding a significant amount of mana, Verdant Outrider may come into play later than other creatures with similar power and toughness. This higher mana cost means that it could compete with other impactful spells or creatures in the same mana slot, which may offer more immediate impact on the battlefield or come with additional advantageous abilities.
Reasons to Include Verdant Outrider in Your Collection
Versatility: Verdant Outrider is a flexible card that can bolster various green-centered decks. Its ability to contribute to creature-based strategies makes it a reliable addition to your collection, adapting to different game situations with ease.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with mechanics that value creature count, such as convoke, or abilities that trigger upon casting creature spells. It can also mesh well in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that favors green’s strength in creature presence and board development, Verdant Outrider can play a crucial role. It may not be the centerpiece, but its supporting abilities can give decks an edge in the current meta.
How to beat Verdant Outrider
Verdant Outrider shines as a staple in decks that capitalize on mana efficiency and creature synergy. Its notable strength lies in its ability to bolster the power of other creatures you control. Each time it taps, whether for an attack or an ability, it nudicates a +1/+1 counter, making it a pivotal card for ramping up board presence rapidly.
When faced with the challenge of overcoming Verdant Outrider, players should consider removal spells that can bypass the creature’s increasing strength. Direct removal spells, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can be used before the creature manages to fortify its power. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation effectively reset the playing field, nullifying the accumulated advantage Verdant Outrider provides.
Timing is crucial in these situations. Ideally, spot removal should be employed before your opponent’s combat phase, to prevent them from utilizing the +1/+1 counter Verdant Outrider would generate. By strategically managing these responses, players can mitigate the Outrider’s impact and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Verdant Outrider // Verdant Outrider MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Art Series and Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Verdant Outrider // Verdant Outrider 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
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Printings
The Verdant Outrider // Verdant Outrider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Taras Susak.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilds of Eldraine Art Series | AWOE | 28 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Taras Susak | ||
| 2 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 196 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Taras Susak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Verdant Outrider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | 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 Verdant Outrider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | Activating Verdant Outrider's ability after it has become blocked by a creature with power 2 or less won't cause it to become unblocked. |