Jhovall Rider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Rebel
Abilities	Trample
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	26
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Jhovall Rider boosts strategy through superior card advantage, refreshing players’ hands with more draw options.
Instant-speed play allows for adaptive tactics, making Jhovall Rider a surprising and potent battlefield element.
Mana acceleration from Jhovall Rider enables quicker play of heavy-hitters, shifting the momentum in players’ favor.

Text of card

Trample

Don't be fooled by the riders' fluid grace—it takes years of practice to ride these beasts.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a player, the Jhovall Rider is a boon for your card advantage. It equips you with a strategy to outpace your opponents by drawing more cards and keeping your hand refreshed.

Resource Acceleration: This versatile card can catalyze your mana development, paving the way for quicker deployment of your bigger threats on the board. Players value this type of acceleration as it can be the game changer in fast-paced matches.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Jhovall Rider at instant speed provides a tactical edge. It enables you to adapt to the state of play with finesse, making it a surprise element that can be used to its full potential when the timing is just right.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Jhovall Rider can be a game-changer on the field, players must satisfy its discard condition to unleash it, creating a potential setback for those already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The need for precise mana provisions to deploy this card can be cumbersome. Decks not meticulously fine-tuned to meet these requirements might find Jhovall Rider more a burden than an asset.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the investment needed to summon Jhovall Rider, its cost-to-benefit scale could tip unfavorably. Deck-builders often weigh their options against other available cards, which might provide more bang for the buck with less mana expended.

Reasons to Include Jhovall Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Jhovall Rider is a dynamic card that can seamlessly adapt to a vast array of deck types, providing significant value in strategies that hinge on creature-based synergies or those that need a robust mid-game presence.

Combo Potential: This card’s inherent ability to pair well with various blink or bounce effects allows players to exploit enter-the-battlefield triggers repeatedly, setting the stage for potent combo plays that can turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that frequently fluctuates, cards that are capable of performing consistently regardless of the dominating archetypes become crucial. Jhovall Rider’s adaptability and strength in multiple scenarios make it a worthy contender for this role within the competitive landscape.

How to beat

Jhovall Rider presents an interesting challenge for players in MTG, as it offers a unique blend of abilities that can quickly swing the game. With its Trample ability, Jhovall Rider can deal damage through blocking creatures, potentially leading to swift losses if not properly countered. However, there are strategies to effectively manage this formidable card.

Firstly, spot removal spells are your best friend against Jhovall Rider. Since the creature has to attack to leverage its strength, spells like Swords to Plowshares or Doom Blade can remove it from the battlefield before it deals damage. Control decks that operate on strategy and removal can continuously suppress such threats. Similarly, countermagic is also effective; keeping a Mana Leak or Counterspell at the ready can ensure Jhovall Rider never touches the field.

Additionally, creatures with protection from creatures, like Auriok Champion, can nullify Jhovall Rider’s effectiveness by blocking without being damaged. Meanwhile, edict effects like Diabolic Edict force the opponent to sacrifice attacking creatures, whether they have Trample or not. By adapting your deck to include these countermeasures, Jhovall Rider’s impact can be mitigated, preserving your life total and maintaining control of the game.

Cards like Jhovall Rider

Within the vast array of creatures that Magic: The Gathering offers, Jhovall Rider carves out its unique niche. It bears similarities to cards like Cavalry Pegasus, which also grants flying to other creatures when attacking. However, Jhovall Rider is distinct with its ability to endow haste as well, giving immediate impact on the battlefield the moment your creatures gallop into play.

Leaping into comparison, we find Skyknight Legionnaire, another creature that takes to the skies with haste. Skyknight Legionnaire, while it attacks on its own with these abilities, does not share the granting of flying and haste with other creatures that Jhovall Rider so generously provides. Then there’s Embercleave, a formidable artifact that can also give a creature haste and double strike, yet this comparison is more equipment-focused rather than creature-based and lacks the wide-reaching effects of Jhovall Rider’s communal abilities.

Assessing Jhovall Rider’s position among MTG creatures, it shines as a force multiplier, particularly valuable in decks that capitalize on swarming the field with creatures that could benefit from sudden aerial velocity and immediate action, offering strategic advantages in fast-paced games.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Jhovall Rider by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jhovall Rider MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Jhovall Rider and other MTG cards: