Viashino Branchrider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Viashino Warrior
Abilities	Haste,Kicker
Released	2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set name	Dominaria United
Set code	DMU
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	150
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Andrew Mar

Key Takeaways

Viashino Branchrider promises superior card flow, swiftly improving the quality of draws for strategic advantage.
Its low cost translates to early dominance, speeding up your tactical executions on the battlefield.
Instant speed interactions give Viashino Branchrider the edge in flexibility, keeping opponents on their toes.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Haste If Viashino Branchrider was kicked, it enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it. : Viashino Branchrider gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Viashino Branchrider has the potential to sift through the deck rapidly, making sure you get to the spells you need when you need them, enhancing your overall card quality in hand.

Resource Acceleration: This creature’s low mana cost allows for early board presence, which can translate into pressure on your opponent and a faster execution of your strategy.

Instant Speed: With abilities that interact at instant speed, this card provides flexibility, allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves on their turn and keep them guessing about your next play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One hindrance players face with the Viashino Branchrider is its need for discarding a card to activate its abilities. This can be a tactical setback, especially when your hand-size is dwindling, potentially causing you to lose valuable assets.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Viashino Branchrider demands a stringent mana structure, including red mana symbols. This could complicate its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless decks which might not always have the required mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that on surface looks modest, the Branchrider may actually tread on the expensive side when considering the scope of abilities it offers. This can be consequential when planning mana allocation in turns critical for board development.

Reasons to Include Viashino Branchrider in Your Collection

Versatility: Viashino Branchrider is a flexible addition to any collection as it can easily integrate into multiple deck archetypes. With its agile mana cost and haste ability, it’s an immediate threat on the board suitable for aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: The card’s prowess in enabling combos is notable, harmonizing well with mechanics that play off spell casts or creature entries. This synergy amplifies its value in decks built around these interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its quick tempo, Viashino Branchrider aligns well with fast-paced environments where putting pressure on the opponent from the early turns is crucial. Its relevance in such metas can make it a worthwhile pick for competitive play.

How to beat

Viashino Branchrider joins the roster of nimble creatures in the Magic: The Gathering universe. As a 2 mana cost creature, it offers a decent early game advantage for players looking to apply pressure on opponents. When it attacks, it has the unique ability to reveal cards from the top of your library, potentially putting a land card into your hand which could be crucial for maintaining momentum.

Counterplay against Viashino Branchrider focuses on nullifying its card advantage. Effective removal spells can quickly dispatch this creature before it can trigger its ability too many times. Look for spells that can deal with creatures at a low cost, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, to handle Viashino Branchrider efficiently. Moreover, since Viashino Branchrider relies on attacking, creatures that can block and survive the encounter, like strong defenders or those with deathtouch, will prove detrimental to your opponent’s plans. Frost Breath and other forms of creature tap down can also prevent attacks from Viashino Branchrider without having to remove it outright.

In essence, keeping the board clear of Viashino Branchrider or disrupting its combat opportunities is key to stifling your opponent’s early advantage, allowing you to regain the upper hand in the duel.

Cards like Viashino Branchrider

Viashino Branchrider holds its unique position in the lineup of two-drop creatures in MTG. It has a significant similarity to cards such as Goblin Piker and Walking Corpse, both of which offer a creature body of 2/2 for the mana cost of two. However, the Branchrider steps forward with its Haste ability, allowing it to swing at opponents without the summoning sickness delay that its counterparts suffer from.

Comparably, Rakdos Shred-Freak shares the Haste attribute and the two mana cost but comes as a multicolored creature, which could restrict its deck compatibility unlike the mono-red Viashino Branchrider. Moreover, there’s the iconic Ash Zealot, another red card with Haste. While the Zealot provides a more powerful punch with additional first strike capability, it also comes at a higher cost and with a specific mana requirement that could be more restrictive in some decks.

All things considered, Viashino Branchrider affirms its place as a reliable choice for players seeking immediate board presence combined with the aggressive pace of red creature decks. Its straightforward mana requirement and the Haste advantage make it an efficient option in various aggressive MTG strategies.

Cards similar to Viashino Branchrider by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viashino Branchrider MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Viashino Branchrider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viashino Branchrider 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