Warg Rider MTG Card


Boosts board presence and mana economy by creating creature tokens and unlocking mana sources. Instant speed allows strategic flexibility and surprise during the opponent’s turn. Requires careful hand and mana management due to its discard and mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Orc Warrior
Abilities Amass,Menace
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

Menace Other Orcs and Goblins you control have menace. At the beginning of combat on your turn, amass Orcs 2. (Put two +1/+1 counters on an Army you control. It's also an Orc. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token first.)


Cards like Warg Rider

Warg Rider makes an intriguing entry among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It stands alongside cards like Goblin Roughrider, another aggressive creature with a strong physical presence on the battlefield. Warg Rider enhances the classic rush strategy, pushing for immediate board impact that red decks often lean into. Goblin Roughrider does not hold any special abilities beyond its solid stats, while Warg Rider might offer a bit more through its synergies within a goblin tribal deck.

Looking at another comparison, we have Goblin War Drums which, while not a creature itself, augments creatures in a similar manner to Warg Rider by making them harder to block. This enchantment reflects the same aggressive tact that Warg Rider enables, albeit through enhancing defense rather than providing a formidable attacking force on its own. Meanwhile, Warg Rider provides the dual advantage of an intimidating creature and tribal synergies that can make for a powerful combination in the right deck.

In evaluating the aggressive creatures and enhancements found in red’s MTG arsenal, Warg Rider offers a dynamic choice for players seeking to reinforce their battlefield with immediate threats and tribal interactions.

Goblin Roughrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Goblin Roughrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions

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Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
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Woebearer - MTG Card versions
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Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warg Rider offers a compelling edge in card economy by potentially generating multiple creature tokens, which can translate into superior board presence over time.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable card doesn’t just boost your army; it can also surge your mana resources by providing additional creatures that may have abilities to unlock extra mana or be sacrificed for a cost.

Instant Speed: The ability to deploy Warg Rider at instant speed gives players strategic flexibility, allowing them to introduce threats during the opponent’s turn and keep mana available for other critical plays or responses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Warg Rider demands that players discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can pose a drawback during gameplay, particularly when your hand is already running thin, forcing tough choices about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a precise mana cost, Warg Rider requires a commitment to red mana in your deck construction. This might constrain deck flexibility as it necessitates sufficient red mana sources to ensure consistent playability of the card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for summoning Warg Rider can be somewhat prohibitive, especially when weighed against other creatures in its mana range. Players might find that other creatures or spells at the same cost could yield a greater tactical advantage or synergize better with the overall deck strategy.


Reasons to Include Warg Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Warg Rider offers the flexibility to fit into various attack-focused decks, its ability to be swiftly aggressive enables it to adapt to multiple game strategies.

Combo Potential: Often able to synergize with other cards that benefit from attacking or creature synergies, it can work as a key piece in combos that amplify damage or generate battlefield advantages.

Meta-Relevance: The MTG playing field often shifts, but Warg Rider could prove essential in environments where aggressive strategies outpace more conservative gameplay. Its inclusion could provide the necessary edge to keep your deck competitive.


How to Beat

When facing off against the Warg Rider in Magic: The Gathering, it’s essential to understand the mechanics this card employs. Warg Rider often capitalizes on aggressive strategies, accentuating the strength of goblin-oriented decks with its riding capability. To effectively counter this card, players should consider cards that remove creatures from the board before the Warg Rider’s impact can be felt. Board wipe spells become invaluable, as they can clear multiple threats at once, including any tokens or smaller creatures supporting the Warg Rider.

Control strategies work well too, as countering key spells or using spot removal when the Warg Rider is declared as an attacker can dismantle an opponent’s game plan. Moreover, ensuring a robust defensive line-up can mitigate the damage Warg Rider attempts to inflict. Utilizing creatures with high toughness or those with reach can block effectively, preventing the Warg Rider from unleashing its full potential. Lastly, cards that prevent or punish attackers can serve as a deterrent, forcing your opponent to reassess their strategy and providing you with the upper hand. By being prepared and incorporating these tactics, you can navigate around the threats posed by the Warg Rider and maintain control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warg Rider MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Warg Rider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Warg Rider Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Pascal Quidault.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 8262015NormalBlackPascal Quidault
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 8312015NormalBlackPascal Quidault

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warg Rider has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
TimelessLegal