Putrid Raptor MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Dinosaur Beast |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Released | 2003-05-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scourge |
| Set code | SCG |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 71 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Key Takeaways
- Putrid Raptor excels in graveyard strategies, providing a recurring threat on the battlefield.
- It’s flexible due to instant speed activations, morphing ability, and favorable meta conditions.
- Despite potential card disadvantage, its strategic benefits can outweigh the cons in gameplay.
Text of card
Morph— Discard a Zombie card from your hand. (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
It eagerly gobbles up bits of its own rotting flesh as they fall to the swampy ground.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Putrid Raptor allows you to potentially reanimate a strong creature from a graveyard at minimal cost, effectively increasing the number of threats you have in play.
Resource Acceleration: This card’s synergy with any discard effect can help you accelerate your game plan by putting high-cost creatures into your hand then quickly onto the battlefield ahead of the usual mana curve.
Instant Speed: Its discard ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility to adjust your strategy in response to the game state. This can create surprises and turn the tide in your favor during critical moments in a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Putrid Raptor requires the player to discard another card to play it unless they’re paying its morph cost. This can lead to a loss of card advantage, especially if the player doesn’t have expendable cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This dinosaur has a casting cost that includes two black mana symbols, making it a less flexible addition to decks not focusing on black or lacking sufficient mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana including two black mana, Putrid Raptor can be a heavy investment in the early game. There are alternative creatures that offer lower mana costs and equally competitive stats or abilities.
Reasons to Include Putrid Raptor in Your Collection
Versatility: Putrid Raptor can seamlessly adapt to various deck strategies. For instance, its morph ability allows you to play it as a surprise blocker or attacker, which can be essential in games where timing and unpredictability are key.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks focusing on graveyard play. Its ability to easily return to the battlefield from the graveyard when you discard a card means it can be a recurring threat that opponents must continuously address. Combine it with self-discard synergies for the best effect.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard and discard mechanics are prominent, Putrid Raptor gains significant relevance. It thrives in environments where players are already incentivized to discard cards, making it a formidable piece in the right meta-game conditions.
How to beat
Putrid Raptor, a card with the potential to sway the dynamic of any game, is one that demands attention when encountered on the battlefield. At the core of its power lies its Morph ability, which allows it to pose as a mere 2/2 creature before revealing its true identity as a formidable 4/4 beast. This element of surprise, coupled with its unique ability to untap all Zombies on the field, makes it a card worth strategizing against.
To effectively counter Putrid Raptor, players might consider utilizing instant-speed removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, to address the creature before it can exploit its untapping synergy. Additionally, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can hinder the Raptor’s potential by preventing it from coming back into play through graveyard recursion, a common strategy in Zombie decks. Control decks focusing on counter spells also stand a chance to keep Putrid Raptor at bay by denying its entry to the battlefield in the first place.
Understanding the mechanics around Putrid Raptor and preparing for its threat is crucial. With the right approach, you can outmaneuver your opponent and ensure that this deceivingly dangerous creature does not disrupt your path to victory.
Cards like Putrid Raptor
The Putrid Raptor stands out in the realm of graveyard interaction mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarity to creatures like Rotting Regisaur is evident by their shared trait of imposing a card discard from the player’s own hand each turn. Yet, Putrid Raptor introduces a twist with its suspend mechanic, allowing players to delay its presence on the battlefield, a versatility absent in the straightforward casting of Rotting Regisaur.
Exploring further analogs, Squee, Goblin Nabob shares the resilience of recurring from the graveyard akin to Putrid Raptor’s suspend feature. Nonetheless, Squee offers the benefit of a guaranteed return to the hand rather than a postponed battlefield entrance. Conversely, Vesuvan Shapeshifter offers a similar comeback playstyle through its morphing ability, yet it cannot match Putrid Raptor’s raw power or its potential synergy with discard beneficial effects.
Ultimately, while comparing these options within the graveyard strategy cards, Putrid Raptor merits attention for its capability to create delayed yet impactful plays, complementing a strategic depth in deck building for enthusiasts of MTG.
Cards similar to Putrid Raptor by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Putrid Raptor MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Putrid Raptor and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Putrid Raptor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Putrid Raptor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can use a text-changing effect that changes creature types on this card while is it face down to change Zombie to something else. This will change the type of card you have to discard to turn it face up. |
