Oran-Rief Recluse MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spider
Abilities Kicker,Reach
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Acts as a dual-purpose card, providing creature deployment while negating flying threats when kicked.
  2. Indirectly aids in resource stability by mitigating the pressure of aerial attacks.
  3. Though sorcery-speed, the kicker adds a dynamic ‘instant effect’ ability to the game.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.) When Oran-Rief Recluse enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, destroy target creature with flying.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Oran-Rief Recluse brings utility in managing threats on the board. When kicked, it not only puts a creature on the battlefield but also enables the destruction of an opposing flyer. This two-in-one action can generate a subtle card advantage by handling an adversary’s threat without sacrificing a card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While the Oran-Rief Recluse itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its ability to control flying creatures can indirectly help maintain board stability. This stability allows for a more consistent development of your mana base and resources over time without the pressure from aerial assaults.

Instant Speed: Although the recluse’s casting is at sorcery speed, the flexibility offered by the kicker mechanic can feel like an ‘instant speed’ effect on the game state. The moment you opt to play the kicker cost, you immediately impact the board by neutralizing a flying threat, which can be pivotal in shifting the momentum of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Oran-Rief Recluse doesn’t necessitate a discard upon casting, but its kick ability does demand a card sacrifice in the form of additional mana to achieve its potential. This can deplete resources too quickly if you’re not judicious with your mana allocation.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires both green mana and generic mana, which may not always be readily available. This specific mana cost can restrict the card’s use, confining it mainly to green or green-centric decks which can reliably produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with only 1 power and 3 toughness, its base mana cost is on the higher side. When compared to other creatures with similar mana costs, Oran-Rief Recluse might offer less board presence, and its utility without the kicker cost can seem marginal.


Reasons to Include Oran-Rief Recluse in Your Collection

Versatility: Oran-Rief Recluse can adapt to various decks that capitalize on creature control. Its ability to destroy flying creatures makes it a strategic choice for those seeking to deal with evasive threats.

Combo Potential: This card is more than a standalone option; it works well in conjunction with cards that benefit from creature type synergies or those that can be recycled from the graveyard to the battlefield, maximizing its kick ability.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by flyers or where aerial combat becomes crucial, Oran-Rief Recluse is particularly useful. Its targeted removal provides a specific answer to many meta-relevant threats, keeping your airspace clear and your defenses strong.


How to beat

Oran-Rief Recluse is a specialized creature card often used for its ability to deal with flying threats in MTG. As a creature that can destroy any flyer when kicked, it commands respect on the battlefield. However, this arachnid’s power is not without solutions. The recluse’s spellcasting requirement means your opponent’s strategy can be disrupted with well-timed counterspells or removals before the kicking cost is paid. With a modest toughness, direct damage spells are also highly effective.

Keeping the board clear of non-fliers when Oran-Rief Recluse is in your opponent’s hand forces a choice: play without the kicker effect or delay for fuller impact. Moreover, hexproof or shroud-enabling cards protect your creatures from being targeted by the Recluse’s ability. Efficient mana use and maintaining a tempo to outpace the kicker cost is key. Broadly speaking, adapting a strategy that anticipates and negates potential threats while not overcommitting resources will keep the spiders at bay and preserve your flying forces for a victorious skies domination.


Cards like Oran-Rief Recluse

Oran-Rief Recluse is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a blend of creature presence and targeted removal, which can be pivotal in matches. In terms of utility and functionality, the card can be compared with Canopy Spider, which similarly boasts both a spider creature type and reach capability, allowing it to block flying creatures effectively. However, Canopy Spider lacks the kick ability to destroy an opposing flyer.

Another card that echoes Oran-Rief Recluse’s arachnidan theme is Stingerfling Spider. While Stingerfling Spider requires more resources to cast, it also carries the benefit of destroying a flyer but without needing the kick cost. It’s essentially a larger creature with a similar one-time effect when it enters the battlefield. Ambush Viper offers a different yet relevant comparison; although not featuring the specific anti-flyer characteristic, it provides a swift creature-based answer to threats due to flash and deathtouch.

Ultimately, Oran-Rief Recluse finds its niche among spider-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering for players who seek a cost-effective creature that can specifically target and clear problematic flying creatures from the board, all within a single card.

Canopy Spider - MTG Card versions
Stingerfling Spider - MTG Card versions
Ambush Viper - MTG Card versions
Canopy Spider - Tempest (TMP)
Stingerfling Spider - Magic 2012 (M12)
Ambush Viper - Innistrad (ISD)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oran-Rief Recluse MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska, 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 Oran-Rief Recluse and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Oran-Rief Recluse Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2014-03-14. Illustrated by Lars Grant-West.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1732003normalblackLars Grant-West
22014-03-14Duel Decks: Jace vs. VraskaDDM 542003normalblackLars Grant-West

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oran-Rief Recluse has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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