Scab-Clan Berserker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Berserker
Abilities Haste,Renown
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Scab-Clan Berserker’s renowned ability can indirectly lead to significant card advantage.
  2. Its damage-dealing triggers offer disruption akin to instant-speed interaction.
  3. Despite its strengths, the Berserker requires careful play to maximize its potential.

Text of card

Haste Renown 1 (When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn't renowned, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes renowned.) Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell, if Scab-Clan Berserker is renowned, Scab-Clan Berserker deals 2 damage to that player.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scab-Clan Berserker’s renowned trigger gives you the edge by dealing damage to the opponent whenever they cast a noncreature spell if Scab-Clan Berserker is renowned, which can indirectly lead to card advantage by pressuring your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Albeit not directly providing resource acceleration, this card’s prowess in obstructing your adversary’s plans can indirectly preserve your board and resources, enabling you to accelerate ahead.

Instant Speed: While the Scab-Clan Berserker itself is not an instant, its ability to deal damage at any point in the game cycle can disrupt opponents’ plays akin to instant-speed interaction, which can be crucial during complex battle phases or when defending against combo decks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Scab-Clan Berserker’s renowned ability can disrupt opponents, it necessitates having already dealt combat damage to a player, which may not always align with your game plan or may be challenging against decks with a robust defense.

Specific Mana Cost: Scab-Clan Berserker requires two red mana, which can be restrictive for multi-color decks that aren’t heavily invested in red mana sources. This can make casting the card on curve more difficult in those decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana including double red, Scab-Clan Berserker competes with other three-drop creatures and spells that might offer immediate impact or more versatility without the need for the renowned mechanic to be triggered first.


Reasons to Include Scab-Clan Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Scab-Clan Berserker’s renown ability ensures it fits seamlessly into aggressive red decks. Once renowned, its ability to deal damage to the opponent when they cast a noncreature spell makes it a strong choice against a wide array of strategies, enhancing its adaptability.

Combo Potential: The Berserker has potential to become a linchpin in decks that capitalize on punishing opponents for casting spells. Pairing it with cards that restrict or penalize spell casting can create a formidable combo that disrupts your opponent’s tempo.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with noncreature spell-heavy decks, the Scab-Clan Berserker shines. Its damage-dealing ability can passively chip away at an opponent’s life total, making it a relevant choice for maintaining the upper hand in the current metagame landscape.


How to beat

Scab-Clan Berserker is one card that may seem daunting thanks to its renown ability, making it a potent adversary in the right deck. This creature from Magic: The Gathering showcases its might by punishing the noncreature spells of your opponents. Once renown, it can turn each spell they cast into a direct loss of life unless they pay up extra.

Defeating this formidable Berserker involves a few strategies, which center around limiting its opportunities to become renowned. Instant-speed removal before it deals combat damage is key, as cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can effectively manage this threat without triggering its ability. Ensuring adequate creature blockers to prevent it from hitting players is another effective method. Additionally, lean on spells that don’t trigger its ability or can neutralize it despite its safeguards, like Supreme Verdict or Settle the Wreckage, which bypass its prowess by not targeting it directly.

In essence, while Scab-Clan Berserker presents a unique challenge, it can be mitigated with thoughtful planning and the right cards. By managing your spells and controlling the combat phase, you can negate the advantage this Berserker brings to the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Scab-Clan Berserker’s role in the landscape of MTG ways of punishing spell-heavy decks is essential for those looking to gain leverage in their matches. As you absorb the insights provided, remember that your deck’s synergy and ability to adapt are what will secure your victories. This card’s unique punishing abilities against noncreature spells could carve a niche for itself in your red aggressive strategies. Keen to dive deeper into strategic deck building and improve your game? We’re here to help. Enhance your collection with Scab-Clan Berserker and join us for comprehensive tactics to become a formidable adversary in any competition.


Cards like Scab-Clan Berserker

The Scab-Clan Berserker has carved out a niche among red aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card draws parallels to Eidolon of the Great Revel. Both creatures feature the potential to deal damage to the opponent whenever they cast a noncreature spell. However, Scab-Clan Berserker’s prowess to become renowned and deal 2 damage instead of 1 sets it apart and escalates the threat level once it connects with an opponent.

Moving to a similar but distinct option, Harsh Mentor comes into play. This creature brings a punishing ability, dealing damage whenever an opponent activates an ability of an artifact, creature, or land that isn’t a mana ability. While it doesn’t specifically target noncreature spells like Scab-Clan Berserker, Harsh Mentor can impact a wider array of actions a player might take.

Ultimately, in the realm of MTG, Scab-Clan Berserker plugs into decks prioritizing aggressive strategies and a focus on spell-based disruption. It aligns with the intent to pressure opponents who rely on casting numerous noncreature spells, providing a tactical edge in such matchups.

Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Harsh Mentor - Amonkhet (AKH)

Cards similar to Scab-Clan Berserker by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scab-Clan Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Magic Origins Promos, 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 Scab-Clan Berserker and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Scab-Clan Berserker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2015-07-17. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 1602015normalblackDave Kendall
22015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 160s2015normalblackDave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scab-Clan Berserker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scab-Clan Berserker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2015-06-22 If a creature with renown deals combat damage to its controller because that damage was redirected, renown will trigger.
2015-06-22 If a renown ability triggers, but the creature leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, the creature doesn’t become renowned. Any ability that triggers “whenever a creature becomes renowned” won’t trigger.
2015-06-22 Renown won’t trigger when a creature deals combat damage to a planeswalker or another creature. It also won’t trigger when a creature deals noncombat damage to a player.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks