Rampart Crawler MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Lizard Mercenary
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	156
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pete Venters

Key Takeaways

Rampart Crawler provides card advantage by transforming without extra cards, upholding hand size while boosting the board.
Efficiency at low mana cost allows for early deployment, accelerating your gameplay and maximizing resource use.
Leveraging the menace ability at instant speed can surprise opponents, creating favorable combat situations.

Text of card

Rampart Crawler can't be blocked by Walls.

"Not even the magistrate in his lofty tower is out of our reach." —Cateran overlord

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rampart Crawler’s ability to potentially transform into a stronger creature without additional card investment provides an inherent advantage. This transformation doesn’t require extra cards, maintaining your hand size while enhancing your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of mana, Rampart Crawler offers a cost-efficient way to affect the battlefield early on. Its low mana cost can prove to be a strategic asset, allowing players to deploy other high-impact spells sooner.

Instant Speed: While Rampart Crawler itself isn’t an instant, its menace ability can be leveraged at instant speed by casting spells or abilities that change its power during the combat phase, potentially surprising an opponent and creating advantageous combat scenarios.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rampart Crawler may necessitate discarding another card to play, which could deplete your hand, especially if you are struggling to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a mix of mana types for casting, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored decks that might not consistently have the required mana available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its stats and abilities, players might find that there are other creatures or spells that offer more bang for their buck within the same mana range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rampart Crawler has a solid place in decks that capitalize on its Lurk ability, an easy fit for those looking to exploit synergy with other Lurk or Exile-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature may not look imposing on its own, but its potential in combination with cards that benefit from its unique mechanic can lead to impactful gameplay moments and surprise advantages.

Meta-Relevance: As strategies shift and decks adapt, Rampart Crawler maintains a certain level of meta-relevance by challenging opponents to deal with it effectively or risk letting its lurking prowess go uncontested.

How to beat

Rampart Crawler, though seemingly innocuous, can be a troubling adversary in MTG if left unchecked. This nimble creature excels in Mana black decks that can exploit its menace ability effectively, making it difficult to block. It becomes particularly sturdy against multicolored creatures, where it’s immune to their assault making it a strategic card in deck construction and gameplay.

To counter this elusive creature, consider utilizing cards that don’t depend on the color to eliminate it. Sweepers like “Shatter the Sky” or “Wrath of God” can clear the board irrespective of creature colors. Single-target removals such as “Doom Blade” won’t work due to Rampart Crawler’s protection, but colorless removal like “Mutavault” can target and manage it effectively. Moreover, employing universal damage spells or using creatures with reach and enough power to overcome its toughness will neutralize this card efficiently. Aim to tackle it early, thus preventing your opponent from capitalizing on its defensive capabilities and consolidating their position on the battlefield.

Overall, understanding Rampart Crawler’s strengths and weaknesses can guide MTG players in constructing their decks with appropriate answers, ensuring they’re prepared for any menace that this creature presents in the game.

Cards like Rampart Crawler

Rampart Crawler is a recent card that offers a unique angle on early creature plays in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out in its category with the menace ability, making it a challenging target for opponents to block without multiple creatures. This trait resonates with cards like Goblin Trailblazer, which also sports menace and offers a similar headache for defenders.

Delving further into its kin, we encounter Nimble Blade Khenra. While it lacks the menacing presence of Rampart Crawler, it compensates with prowess, providing the potential for a greater attack during spellslinging sequences. Not to be overlooked is Ruin Rat. Though it doesn’t share the offensive presence, it brings added value with an exile effect upon death, offering strategic grave play interactions.

Although each card holds its merit, Rampart Crawler distinguishes itself within its class. It not only poses an early threat but is also a Nightbound creature, deriving additional advantage from specific moon phase mechanics. This gives it an edge in decks designed to exploit changing game states, demonstrating its versatility compared to more straightforward creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Rampart Crawler by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions

Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions

Champion of the Perished - MTG Card versions

Nezumi Shadow-Watcher - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rampart Crawler 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 Rampart Crawler and other MTG cards: