Highland Berserker MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Highland Berserker might not directly allow you to draw cards, it potentially turns each of your allies into a more substantial threat. This added threat level can force your opponent to trade more resources to deal with your board, inadvertently leading to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: In the case of the Highland Berserker, resource acceleration comes from its ability to enhance your gameplay without additional mana investment. Once on the battlefield, it empowers subsequent creatures, maximizing the value of every ally summoned thereafter.

Instant Speed: Although the Highland Berserker is not an instant itself, its innate ability synergizes well with instant-speed plays. Casting allies with flash during your opponent’s turn after the berserker has been deployed turns surprise defense into an offensive advantage, all without missing a beat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Highland Berserker doesn’t come with a discard requirement, which means players don’t have to sacrifice card advantage to play it. However, for some strategies, this could mean missed opportunities to leverage graveyard synergies or effects that trigger upon discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: Highland Berserker’s red mana requirement can restrict deck-building options. Being a red-aligned creature, it aligns specifically with decks that can provide red mana, potentially excluding it from various multi-colored or other mana-intensive strategic builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost requiring both generic and red mana, Highland Berserker can sometimes be less efficient compared to other creatures in the two-drop slot. Considering the competitive environment of MTG, the berserker must compete with a host of other two-mana creatures that might offer immediate impacts or more significant long-term benefits.

Reasons to Include Highland Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Highland Berserker offers a level of adaptability that shines in decks looking to capitalize on Ally creatures or aggressive strategies. Its low mana cost makes it an easy fit in various stages of the game.

Combo Potential: The Berserker pairs well with cards that trigger off Allies or those that benefit from attacking creatures, potentially unlocking powerful synergies within the Ally archetype.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ally-centric ability, Highland Berserker can be a strategic choice in an environment featuring numerous creature-based decks where combat interactions are frequent.

How to beat

Highland Berserker is a card that can become a threat in MTG when it leverages its ally synergy, granting other ally creatures the first strike during battles. This can pose a daunting challenge to opponents, especially in decks built around allies that can use this ability to prevail in combat. To effectively counter Highland Berserker, the key is to disrupt the ally mechanics. Removal spells that can target and eliminate the Berserker before its effect becomes significant are excellent choices. Board wipes that clear multiple creatures also prove to be incredibly effective against decks that rely on ally synergies.

Another strategy is to limit the opportunities for Highland Berserker to engage in combat. This can be done by controlling the flow of the match, either by slowing down the game with control elements or by placing creatures with high toughness to block and survive the first strike. Additionally, counter spells that prevent it from being cast in the first place, or cards that strip it from the opponent’s hand, should not be overlooked. By interrupting the ally buildup or removing Highland Berserker from play swiftly, you can mitigate its impact and maintain the upper hand in your matches.