Carnage Gladiator MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Skeleton Warrior
Power 4
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Strategically pressures opponents and influences battlefield decisions, impacting how they regenerate creatures.
  2. Indirect resource acceleration for the player due to the opponent’s defensive resource allocation.
  3. Encourages open play by deterring creatures from blocking through its unique damage-dealing ability.

Text of card

Whenever a creature blocks, that creature's controller loses 1 life. : Regenerate Carnage Gladiator.

Not the foulest or bloodiest act at Rix Maadi by a stretch.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Carnage Gladiator provides a unique mechanism that tactically disrupts opponents’ strategies while giving you the upper hand. Each time an opponent’s creature is regenerated, its ability not only deals damage to that player but also allows you to stay ahead in the game by incrementally whittling down their life total.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly responsible for resource acceleration, the Gladiator’s presence on the board can indirectly accelerate your resources. By pressuring your opponent’s life total, you force them to allocate resources defensively, often leaving you with more freedom to utilize your mana and cards to further your game plan.

Instant Speed: The Carnage Gladiator may not operate at instant speed, but its ability affects the game at any time your opponent regenerates a creature. This means you’re getting a benefit during their turn without expending additional mana or resources at that time, effectively giving you an instant speed-like advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carnage Gladiator demands discarding which can deplete your hand, leaving fewer options for later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: With both black and red mana needed, it can be challenging for decks that aren’t already aligned with those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A total of four mana with a double color requirement might be cost-prohibitive in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Carnage Gladiator in Your Collection

Versatility: Carnage Gladiator is a robust choice for several deck builds, aptly fitting into strategies centered around aggressive play and board control. Its ability to deal damage to opponents whenever they block encourages a more open battlefield, ideal for those looking to press an attack.

Combo Potential: With its ability to hurt opponents when creatures block, Carnage Gladiator can be synergistic with strategies that discourage blocking, or it can combine with cards that force opponents to block under disadvantageous conditions. This lends itself to tactical plays that can shift the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts toward creature-heavy decks or token strategies, Carnage Gladiator remains pertinent. Its constant pressure and punishing ability can disrupt your opponent’s plans and turn the game in your favor, making it a useful card against various popular matchups.


How to Beat Carnage Gladiator

Carnage Gladiator stands out in the realm of Rakdos cards due to its ability to deter opponent creatures from regenerating. This can pose a challenge on the battlefield, particularly within creature-heavy decks. However, to maneuver around its strengths, consider using removal spells that bypass regeneration altogether. Spells like Path to Exile or other exile effects can effectively deal with the Gladiator without triggering its regeneration clause. Additionally, flying creatures or those with protection from red or black can also serve as strategic counters since Carnage Gladiator lacks reach or any inherent defense against such abilities.

Drawing upon creature control spells like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God will also clear the field without the fear of regeneration, providing a clean slate. Moreover, instant speed spells grant flexibility to respond appropriately during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping the pressure on the Gladiator’s controller. Lastly, minimizing combat interactions by focusing on non-creature win conditions or using strategies that don’t involve attacking can also help evade the Gladiator’s damaging effects while progressing your game plan.

Altogether, while Carnage Gladiator can create a formidable presence, a well-prepared player can employ several tactics to circumvent its influence and maintain control of the game.


Cards like Carnage Gladiator

Carnage Gladiator is a standout card in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique blend of aggression and control within Rakdos decks. It shares the battlefield with other formidable creatures like Blightning, which also synergizes with the intent to cause havoc on an opponent’s game plan through damage and disruption. However, Carnage Gladiator pushes the envelope with its ability to penalize opponents whenever they block, dissuading defensive strategies and promoting a more offensive playstyle.

A closer look might draw comparisons with cards like Stingscourger, which provides utility through creature bouncing, disrupting the opponent’s board. However, this effect doesn’t directly tie into the consistent damage strategy that the Gladiator employs. There’s also the creature Boggart Ram-Gang which presents an immediate threat through haste and can leave a mark on the match quickly, yet it lacks the Gladiator’s ability to shape the opponent’s tactical decisions round after round.

Examining the arena of direct combat penalization, Carnage Gladiator finds its niche. Its unique set of abilities combine to create both a psychological and tactical advantage, reinforcing its position as a card that influences combat choices and pressures opponents in a way few others can match within the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Blightning - MTG Card versions
Stingscourger - MTG Card versions
Boggart Ram-Gang - MTG Card versions
Blightning - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Stingscourger - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Boggart Ram-Gang - Gateway 2008 (PG08)

Cards similar to Carnage Gladiator by color, type and mana cost

Lim-Dûl's Paladin - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Dead - MTG Card versions
Discordant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Volcano Imp - MTG Card versions
Possessed Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Pardic Collaborator - MTG Card versions
Prosper, Tome-Bound - MTG Card versions
Orcus, Prince of Undeath - MTG Card versions
Blim, Comedic Genius - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Firewheeler - MTG Card versions
Rakdos, Lord of Riots - MTG Card versions
Immersturm Predator - MTG Card versions
Murderous Redcap - MTG Card versions
Hellhole Rats - MTG Card versions
Wort, Boggart Auntie - MTG Card versions
Sootwalkers - MTG Card versions
Ashenmoor Liege - MTG Card versions
Viashino Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Singe-Mind Ogre - MTG Card versions
Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Paladin - Alliances (ALL)
Balduvian Dead - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Discordant Spirit - Mirage (MIR)
Volcano Imp - Planeshift (PLS)
Possessed Barbarian - Torment (TOR)
Pardic Collaborator - Torment (TOR)
Prosper, Tome-Bound - Forgotten Realms Commander Display Commanders (OAFC)
Orcus, Prince of Undeath - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Blim, Comedic Genius - Commander Legends (CMR)
Rakdos Firewheeler - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Rakdos, Lord of Riots - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Immersturm Predator - Kaldheim (KHM)
Murderous Redcap - The List (PLST)
Hellhole Rats - Dissension (DIS)
Wort, Boggart Auntie - Lorwyn (LRW)
Sootwalkers - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Ashenmoor Liege - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Viashino Skeleton - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Singe-Mind Ogre - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Olivia Voldaren - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Carnage Gladiator MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Carnage Gladiator and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Carnage Gladiator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Ryan Barger.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 612003normalblackRyan Barger
22016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1992015normalblackRyan Barger
32017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1552015normalblackRyan Barger

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Carnage Gladiator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carnage Gladiator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-03-14 Carnage Gladiator’s ability triggers whenever any creature blocks, regardless of who controls that creature or which creature it blocked.
2017-03-14 If a creature can block multiple creatures and does so, Carnage Gladiator’s ability triggers only once.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks