Unchained Berserker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Berserker
Abilities	Protection
Released	2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2020
Set code	M20
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	164
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Bram Sels

Key Takeaways

Unchained Berserker is strong against opponents using white creatures, offering notable card advantage.
Requires exclusive red mana, posing deck-building limitations and influencing strategic options.
Its meta relevance and ability to punish white strategies make it a valuable collection addition.

Text of card

Protection from white (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, enchanted, or equipped by anything white.) Unchained Berserker gets +2/+0 as long as it's attacking.

Sathros turned his restraints to revenge.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unchained Berserker’s potential to deal significant damage allows you to efficiently eliminate threats from opponents who rely on white creatures, potentially leading to a decrease in their board presence and swinging the card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting mana resources, the Berserker can force opponents to dedicate more resources to deal with it, effectively accelerating your own strategy as they divert attention and resources away from their game plan.

Instant Speed: While Unchained Berserker itself isn’t an instant, its ability to launch an attack as soon as your turn begins can catch an unprepared opponent off-guard, exploiting the timing to your advantage, particularly when bolstered by instant-speed buffs or removal spells to clear a path.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Unchained Berserker has no explicit discard requirement, having it in your deck could dictate specific strategies that might indirectly lead to card discard situations, which could be detrimental in resource-tight scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: Unchained Berserker requires exclusively red mana to be cast, which might restrict its flexibility in multi-color decks or limit the strategic options for players who do not run red-focused decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two red mana might be considered high for an aggressive creature with lower toughness. Players may find that there are other creatures that provide a better cost-to-power ratio or additional abilities with a similar mana investment.

Reasons to Include Unchained Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Unchained Berserker stands out due to its potential to be a key player in various aggro and midrange red decks. Its resistance to damage from white sources makes it particularly adaptable in a meta where white-based control decks are prevalent.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with equipment and auras that can increase its attack power, capitalizing on its ability to deal double damage to an opponent, thus it can become a significant threat quickly even in the early game.

Meta-Relevance: With a solid place in the game against decks featuring white permanents, Unchained Berserker offers an edge in the current meta where white decks are often at the forefront. Its specific ability makes it an essential card for anyone expecting to encounter white strategies in play.

How to beat

When facing the Unchained Berserker in Magic: The Gathering, it’s essential to understand this unique monster’s strengths and vulnerabilities. This red creature thrives in melee, boasting a rare advantage against white decks, as it takes less damage from white spells and blocks white creatures with remarkable ease, making it a formidable foe.

However, even the most powerful cards have their counterplays. To defeat the Berserker, consider using spells or creatures with abilities that don’t specifically deal damage, such as those forcing sacrifices or enforcing -X/-X effects. Use multi-colored creatures that aren’t solely white to evade the Berserker’s protection. Board wipes that don’t discriminate by color are also effective ways to clear the battlefield of the Berserker. To sum up, while the Unchained Berserker presents a significant threat to specific decks, a strategic approach using non-damage based removal and avoiding mono-white defenses can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Remember, each Magic: The Gathering match tells its own story, and overcoming a powerful adversary like the Unchained Berserker can be the pivotal moment of your gameplay narrative. Study your options, choose the right countermeasures, and watch as your tactics dismantle the opposition.

Cards like Unchained Berserker

Unchained Berserker has carved its niche in red aggro decks within Magic: The Gathering. This card stands in a similar arena with other red creatures like Harsh Mentor, which also offers a unique ability aimed at deterring opponents’ strategies. However, Unchained Berserker has the advantage of being particularly punishing against white decks due to its protection from white characteristic and its power boost when attacking.

Another card worth comparing is Goblin Chainwhirler, a creature known for its ability to inflict damage across the board. While it doesn’t specifically target color-aligned decks, it has broader impact potential, contrasting with Unchained Berserker’s more focused approach. Lastly, we can look at Rampaging Ferocidon, which, like Unchained Berserker, can disrupt opponent strategies by penalizing life gain and creature play. It serves a different but equally valuable role in certain match-ups.

Choosing Unchained Berserker over its counterparts depends on the deck strategy and the meta environment, making it a situational yet powerful choice for players aiming to counter white-heavy decks while applying constant pressure on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unchained Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Unchained Berserker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unchained Berserker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal