Rubblebelt Runner MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Viashino Warrior |
| Released | 2019-01-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica Allegiance |
| Set code | RNA |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 202 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Deruchenko Alexander |
Key Takeaways
- Rubblebelt Runner’s evasion ensures consistent threat, indirectly leading to card advantage through opponent’s resource use.
- Efficient mana usage coupled with its hexproof from multicolored attribute makes it resilient against certain removals.
- When facing Rubblebelt Runner, use universal removals or adjust combat rules to efficiently neutralize its evasion advantage.
Text of card
Rubblebelt Runner can't be blocked by creature tokens.
The sly, stealthy warriors of the Slizt Clan survive by hiding in high ground and ambushing their enemies. Other Gruul call them skulkers and cowards, but only from a safe distance.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rubblebelt Runner may not directly result in card draw but its evasion ability makes it a consistent threat that demands an answer from opponents. This pressure can lead to indirectly gaining card advantage as opponents spend resources ineffectively trying to block or remove it.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana resources, Rubblebelt Runner’s cost-effective presence on the battlefield allows for more efficient use of mana in the early to mid-game. This can accelerate your game plan by maintaining board presence without significant investment.
Instant Speed: Although Rubblebelt Runner itself is not an instant, its immunity to certain spells due to its hexproof from multicolored ability means that it can remain a persistent threat even against decks that rely heavily on instant-speed multicolored removal. This resilience enables players to apply pressure while being less concerned about instant speed interaction from their opponent.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Rubblebelt Runner demands a precise blend of mana—one red, one green, and one of any type—to be played. This specific requirement can be restrictive, binding the card to certain two-color decks, and might not be as flexible for a player’s strategy when they’re aiming for a more varied color scheme.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana for a 3/3 body, Rubblebelt Runner may fall behind when compared to other creatures in the three-mana slot. In an environment where efficiency is key, other options might provide more impact or versatility on the battlefield for a similar cost.
Discard Requirement: While not directly associated with a discard requirement, Rubblebelt Runner could indirectly cause card disadvantage. It lacks card draw or an ability that affects the battlefield beyond its cant-be-blocked-by-token creatures trait. Therefore, its deployment might not always justify the card slot in a deck, especially if the deck’s strategy values card advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rubblebelt Runner’s uncounterable nature ensures it lands on the battlefield regardless of your opponent’s counter spells, which is crucial in a variety of game scenarios.
Combo Potential: Though not a traditional combo piece, its evasion abilities allow it to consistently chip in for damage, making it synergize well with damage-incrementing effects on the board.
Meta-Relevance: With regular decks that run heavy control strategies, Rubblebelt Runner may shine as it dodges common removal spells, maintaining a steady board presence.
How to beat
Rubblebelt Runner is a recognizable creature in MTG that often finds its home in decks that favor speed and evasion due to its inherent ability to be unblockable by defender creatures. To efficiently counter this card, it becomes crucial to deploy removal spells that don’t target it directly, as its ability shields it from such attempts. Board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” effectively sidestep the Runner’s protection, clearing the field regardless of individual targeting restrictions.
Another strategy is to use cards that change the rules of combat, such as “Ensnaring Bridge,” limiting the Runner’s ability to attack based on the number of cards in your hand. Moreover, incorporating creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures, like “Guardian of the Multiverse,” also serve as a deterrent to the Runner’s offensive. It’s about adapting your tactics, choosing the right countermeasures, and keeping control of the battlefield dynamics.
Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Rubblebelt Runner, while it may excel in darting past defenders, it’s not insurmountable. It’s a reminder to players that understanding the inherent capabilities of a card, and countering with well-chosen strategies, can tilt the scales in their favor, even against evasive threats.
Cards like Rubblebelt Runner
Rubblebelt Runner finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering as an elusive creature that’s difficult for opponents to interact with. It’s reminiscent of other creatures with evasion abilities, such as the venerable Llanowar Elves, which is known for its mana acceleration rather than unblockability. Though not an exact parallel to Rubblebelt Runner, Llanowar Elves bypasses combat interaction in another way – by avoiding the combat phase entirely and focusing on resource ramping.
Another similar card would be Heir of the Wilds, which also sports a two-color identity and provides significant value for its cost. Although Heir of the Wilds boasts deathtouch instead of unblockability, it creates a different kind of evasion, compelling opponents to consider unfavorable blocks. However, it doesn’t share the cannot be blocked by creature tokens ability that sets Rubblebelt Runner apart.
Examining the strengths and nuances of these creatures, Rubblebelt Runner stands out as a reliable option for players who seek to avoid chump blocks by tokens and maintain a persistent threat. Its utility in the right deck demonstrates the diversity of evasion tactics available to players in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rubblebelt Runner MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Rubblebelt Runner 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 Rubblebelt Runner has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
