Rakdos Cluestone MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Number	143
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Raoul Vitale

Key Takeaways

Rakdos Cluestone provides card advantage, facilitating smoother gameplay and expanded strategic options.
It accelerates your mana pool, enabling the casting of significant spells earlier in the game.
The cluestone’s mana generation aids instant-speed plays, keeping your adversaries uncertain and reactive.

Text of card

: Add or to your mana pool. , , Sacrifice Rakdos Cluestone: Draw a card.

"Burn. Bleed. Enjoy." —Cluestone inscription

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When played alongside other synergistic pieces, Rakdos Cluestone helps to ensure a consistent flow of resources, enabling you to access more cards and options as you progress through the match.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact is particularly adept at ramping up your mana pool quickly, giving you an edge by allowing the casting of more impactful spells ahead of schedule, especially relevant in the Rakdos color combination known for their high-cost, high-impact plays.

Instant Speed: While the Rakdos Cluestone itself is not utilized at instant speed, its mana generation capability supports instant-speed interaction by providing the necessary resources, thus keeping your opponents guessing and your options wide open.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carrying the burden of an additional cost, Rakdos Cluestone necessitates the discard of another card to activate its draw ability. This could potentially put you at a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is running short on playable options.

Specific Mana Cost: Rakdos Cluestone is not universally applicable due to its precise mana requirement—one black and one red. Players running decks outside the Rakdos color identity may find it incompatible with their mana base, limiting its versatility across various builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three-mana investment to bring it onto the battlefield and another two to trigger its draw effect, the overall cost stands tall against alternatives. Moreover, in a game where tempo can be crucial, the mana spent on the Cluestone might be seen as a costly detour for a card draw action, especially when comparable, lower-cost options are available.

Reasons to Include Rakdos Cluestone in Your Collection

Versatility: The Rakdos Cluestone is a dynamic addition to any deck that thrives on mana fixing and late-game card draw. Whether you are piloting an aggressive Rakdos build or looking for that extra mana source in a multicolor deck, its utility cannot be overstated.

Combo Potential: Beyond its obvious use for mana generation, this cluestone primes the stage for various synergies. It can be sacrificed to draw a card, fueling graveyard strategies or simply providing the card advantage needed to sustain your game plan.

Meta-Relevance: With many players gravitating towards quick, efficient strategies, having a reliable mana source that transitions into card advantage in the later stages of the game can give you an edge. It aligns well with decks that aim to outpace and out-resource opponents in the current competitive landscape.

How to beat

Engaging with the Rakdos Cluestone in Magic: The Gathering requires an understanding of its dual nature as both mana acceleration and card draw. Similar to other cluestones, the Rakdos Cluestone offers players mana flexibility, but it comes with the option to sacrifice it later for card advantage. When facing this artifact, stripping resources should be the primary strategy.

To effectively counter it, consider cards that target artifacts directly, such as Naturalize or Abrade. These can remove the cluestone before your opponent gets a chance to utilize it for drawing cards. Timing is crucial—acting swiftly can prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand in both resources and options. Additionally, the focus on keeping pressure can lead to situations where the opponent is forced to sacrifice the cluestone for card draw, thus negating its mana benefits. Ultimately, though Rakdos Cluestone can tip the scales with its versatility, understanding and interrupting its cycle can lead to a strategic advantage on the battlefield.

BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG enthusiasts delve into deck building and gameplay strategies, Rakdos Cluestone stands out as a multifaceted asset. Offering both mana ramp and card draw, it’s an asset for players looking to optimize their Rakdos decks or add versatility to multicolored builds. While aware of its drawbacks, savvy players can harness its potential to maintain resource flow and set the stage for game-winning combos. Considering the current MTG meta, incorporating a Rakdos Cluestone can be a shrewd move, especially for those who thrive in the resource-intensive stages of a match. Ready to refine your strategy and explore the full potential of this dynamic card? Dive deeper with us and embrace its full value in your magic arsenal.

Cards like Rakdos Cluestone

Rakdos Cluestone is an intriguing mana artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering not just mana filtering but also card draw capabilities. It resides in the same space as the Orzhov Cluestone and the Simic Cluestone, all members of the Cluestone cycle from the Dragon’s Maze set. Each Cluestone aids mana fixing for their respective guilds and can be sacrificed for card draw, but Rakdos Cluestone differentiates itself with a focus on the aggressive and swiftly-paced Rakdos guild playstyle.

With the Izzet Keyrune, we notice similar functionalities in terms of mana acceleration and conversion, where the Keyrune transforms into a creature, offering both utility and board presence. The versatility of the Izzet Keyrune appeals to players who like to keep their opponents guessing. Conversely, the Rakdos Cluestone emphasizes a direct and forceful approach with a potential burst of card advantage.

To wrap things up, Rakdos Cluestone stands up well in direct comparison with its peers. It caters to players looking for a blend of mana utility and later game card draw, especially suited for those playing in the Rakdos color identity who want to maintain pressure and options as the game progresses.

Cards similar to Rakdos Cluestone by color, type and mana cost

Flamewar, Brash Veteran // Flamewar, Streetwise Operative - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakdos Cluestone MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Rakdos Cluestone and other MTG cards: