Dread Rider MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 89
2022-12-02 - Number 404
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit Knight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Key Takeaways
- Activating at instant speed, Dread Rider can unexpectedly disrupt opponent strategies and deal direct damage.
- Though it provides sustained advantage, its discard requirement could be costly during critical game moments.
- Synergies with self-mill or reanimator decks make it a strong contender for late-game strategies.
Text of card
, , Exile a creature card from your graveyard: Target opponent loses 3 life.
"What kind of monstrous grave robber leaves the treasures, but takes the bodies?" —Fjall, Beskir elder
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dread Rider has an activated ability that allows you to exile a creature card from your graveyard to force your opponent to lose 3 life. This can be a reliable source of incremental advantage as you convert creatures that have already served their purpose into direct damage, grinding down your opponent’s life total over time.
Resource Acceleration: While not a classic example of resource acceleration, Dread Rider can be a strategic asset in decks that utilize self-milling or ones that put many creatures into the graveyard. The ability to exploit those resources to fuel its activated ability can make it a functional part of a deck’s engine, allowing for a unique form of acceleration in decks tailored to leverage graveyard strategies.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Dread Rider’s power at instant speed can be a game-changer, especially in moments where timing is crucial. This means you can wait until just the right moment during your opponent’s turn to exile a creature card and make them lose life, potentially disrupting their strategic calculations or even unexpectedly closing out the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unlock the full potential of the Dread Rider in your strategy, a significant drawback comes into play. Each activation requires the sacrifice of another precious resource: discarding a card. This can place players in a precarious position, especially during tight situations where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Dread Rider imposes a strict demand on your mana base, necessitating not just any mana but two swamps’ worth. In a multi-colored deck, this could become a stumbling block, forcing players to carefully consider their land distribution or possibly miss out on summoning this spectral steed when most needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Assessing Dread Rider against its peers in the realm of six-mana creatures reveals a competitive disadvantage. The cost to bring this creature onto the battlefield is steep, and many would argue that for six mana, alternative creatures or spells could provide a more immediate impact or greater value over the course of a game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dread Rider can be a solid addition to decks that focus on graveyard strategies. Its ability to exile a creature from the graveyard to give it +3/+0 until end of turn makes it a functional fit for self-mill or reanimator decks looking for late-game finishers.
Combo Potential: This spirit knight pairs well with cards that fill your graveyard quickly, enabling you to capitalize on its strength-enhancing ability. Integrating it with cards that offer repeatable mill options could turn Dread Rider into a recurring threat each turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where graveyard manipulation is key, Dread Rider could be particularly effective. It’s especially potent in match-ups that lack graveyard hate, allowing it to potentially dominate the board with its consistently increasing power.
How to beat
Dread Rider presents a challenge to players with its ability to become a significant late-game threat. As a formidable creature that thrives on stocking the graveyard with creatures, the key to countering it lies in graveyard disruption. Employing cards that can exile creatures from graveyards can cripple Dread Rider’s effectiveness. One could use artifacts like Tormod’s Crypt to instantly purge graveyards, rendering the Dread Rider’s strength-building mechanic useless.
Another effective strategy involves the use of removal spells before the card can accumulate enough creatures in the graveyard to become a danger. Instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the creature before it becomes too large of a threat. Furthermore, board wipes are a reliable fallback to reset the playing field if the Dread Rider’s graveyard synergy becomes overwhelming. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation will not only deal with the rider itself but also clear the path of any other troublesome creatures.
By anticipating the need for graveyard interaction and keeping removal spells at the ready, players can maintain control over the board and neutralize the Dread Rider efficiently, preserving the delicate balance of the game.
Cards like Dread Rider
In the rich tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, the Dread Rider card finds its place among those that utilize the graveyard for an advantage. Similar to Sanitarium Skeleton, Dread Rider allows for consistent late-game pressure, with both cards leveraging the powerful mechanic of returning from the graveyard to the hand. However, Dread Rider stands out with its ability to directly deplete an opponent’s life total, a strategic asset that skeleton lacks.
Another peer to Dread Rider is Forever Young, a card that revolves around manipulating the graveyard. Both cards can set up recurring threats or strategically return key creatures to the battlefield or hand. Yet, Forever Young is not a creature itself, providing more of a one-time effect compared to the Dread Rider’s repeatable ability. Lastly, the Shade creatures, such as Nighthawk Scavenger, share the theme of growing stronger based on graveyard contents, but don’t offer the same sustainable board presence as Dread Rider.
When evaluating Dread Rider against its counterparts, its unique draining ability and repetitive use elevate its standing. Within MTG, a card that offers consistent damage while synergizing with graveyard strategies is indeed a valuable tool for any player’s arsenal.
Cards similar to Dread Rider by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dread Rider MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Dread Rider 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
Printings
The Dread Rider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Irina Nordsol.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Irina Nordsol | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 404 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Irina Nordsol |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dread Rider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dread Rider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | Although players may respond to the activated ability, they can’t respond to the paying of its activation cost. The creature card will already be exiled by the time anyone can respond. |
