Gustcloak Runner MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	35
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Glen Angus

Key Takeaways

Unblockable nature under certain conditions elevates Gustcloak Runner’s strategic value, promising board longevity.
Low casting cost and acceleration potential make it a nimble addition to early-game strategies, pressuring opponents.
Combining Gustcloak Runner with instant speed spells augments its combat prowess, catching adversaries off-guard.

Text of card

Whenever Gustcloak Runner becomes blocked, you may untap it and remove it from combat.

Cabal spies trying to follow the Order's movements are constantly frustrated by tracks that stop dead.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gustcloak Runner may not draw cards directly, but its ability to avoid unfavorable combat by being unblockable under specific conditions ensures that it remains on the battlefield. This consistent board presence can indirectly contribute to card advantage over time as it requires opponents to find answers or allows you to capitalize on its evasion.

Resource Acceleration: While Gustcloak Runner doesn’t provide traditional mana ramp or treasure tokens, its low casting cost offers a quick deployment to the battlefield. This can accelerate your game plan by putting pressure on your opponent early, enabling you to allocate resources elsewhere sooner.

Instant Speed: Despite Gustcloak Runner being a creature, pairing it with instant speed tricks and abilities can capitalize on its unblockable nature. Casting spells at instant speed during the last possible moment can catch opponents off guard, especially when they are preoccupied with finding a way to block or remove Gustcloak Runner.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gustcloak Runner does not have a discard requirement, but similar cards that do can be challenging to play when your hand is empty or if the cards in hand are essential for maintaining your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Gustcloak Runner requires white mana in its casting cost. This specificity means that it can only fit seamlessly into decks that generate that color of mana, potentially restricting its versatility in multi-color or colorless decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Gustcloak Runner itself might not have a high mana cost, cards within the same family could deter players due to their mana value. Cards that offer significant utility or combat advantages often come with a higher cost, which can slow down play and reduce the speed at which a player can deploy their tactical moves or establish board presence.

Reasons to Include Gustcloak Runner in Your Collection

Versatility: Gustcloak Runner offers a flexible choice for any player looking to enhance their aggro strategies. Its ability to survive combat can make it a consistent threat on the battlefield, adapting well in different match-ups.

Combo Potential: Pairing Gustcloak Runner with cards that benefit from successful combat can escalate its utility. Whether it’s for triggering prowess-like abilities or enabling synergies with tap/untap mechanics, its contribution to combo setups shouldn’t be underestimated.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current landscape, where agile creatures can be key, Gustcloak Runner could gain relevance. Its evasion ability to dodge unfavorable blocks might give it a foothold in an environment that rewards cunning play and creature survivability.

How to beat

Gustcloak Runner may not stand out as the most formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, but it holds a strategic position in decks that utilize it. This creature can often bypass blockers thanks to its evasive ability, allowing for consistent chip damage to an opponent’s life total. However, overcoming the Runner tends to be straightforward for seasoned players.

To effectively counter Gustcloak Runner, it’s recommended to utilize removal spells that can target it regardless of its ability to be unblockable. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push provide a simple solution that can disrupt your opponent’s tempo. Moreover, utilizing flyers or reach creatures can compel the Runner into a less favorable position on the battlefield, thereby nullifying the threat it poses. Lastly, employing faster-paced aggro decks can pressure an opponent before their Gustcloak Runner becomes a significant menace, leading you to secure victory with minimal fuss.

Overall, while the Gustcloak Runner offers a niche tactic within certain deck strategies, it’s not insurmountable. By tailoring your approach and including efficient answers in your deck, you can ensure the Runner’s impact is minimal and maintain the upper hand in your MTG confrontations.

Cards like Gustcloak Runner

Gustcloak Runner stands out in the realm of evasive creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards like Healer’s Hawk, which also offers a form of evasion through flying. However, Gustcloak Runner provides a different tactical advantage with the gustcloak mechanic, allowing it to avoid being blocked and potentially escape detrimental combat scenarios without the flying trait.

Another card that some players might compare it to is Mistral Charger, but this creature boasts flying as its default evasion ability and doesn’t include the gustcloak mechanic. While Mistral Charger might consistently evade ground-based defenders, Gustcloak Runner provides an additional option to strategically retract from unfavorable clashes. Suntail Hawk also enters the conversation with its simplistic evasion in the form of flying and a lower mana cost, although it lacks the adaptive combat strategy that the gustcloak ability offers.

Delving into these comparisons helps us appreciate the unique strategic flexibility of Gustcloak Runner. It might not provide the raw, unerring evasion of some flying creatures, but it compensates with battlefield agility that can catch opponents off guard in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Gustcloak Runner by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gustcloak Runner MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Gustcloak Runner and other MTG cards: