Saddled Rimestag MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Snow Creature — Elk
Released	2019-06-14
Set symbol
Set name	Modern Horizons
Set code	MH1
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	177
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Winona Nelson

Key Takeaways

Saddled Rimestag empowers snow-centric decks with a scaling power boost for each snow permanent controlled.
It requires a dedicated snow mana base, limiting deck flexibility but potentially increasing power output.
Removal spells and land control strategies are key to overcoming Saddled Rimestag’s escalating threat.

Text of card

Saddled Rimestag gets +2/+2 as long as you had another creature enter the battlefield under your control this turn.

Horns of hoarfrost grow every night, gleam at dawn, and melt by dusk.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing with a deck that benefits from frequent creature casting, Saddled Rimestag can be a significant boon. Its ability to enhance creatures based on the number of snow permanents you control means every card played thereafter can become more impactful, essentially turning each creature card into a potential threat.

Resource Acceleration: Saddled Rimestag fits perfectly into snow-centric decks and serves as an accelerator in itself. By demanding attention and potentially empowering further gameplay with its continuous growth, it allows you to effectively utilize your snow permanents more quickly than your opponent might be able to respond.

Instant Speed: Although Saddled Rimestag doesn’t feature instant speed itself, its presence dictates the pace of the game and encourages a style of play where holding mana for instant speed responses becomes crucial. This creature prompts strategic gameplay, allowing you to maximize the impact of your instant speed interactions on your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Saddled Rimestag doesn’t make you discard cards outright, it does require a full snow commitment. This means having to include multiple snow permanents in your deck, which can be as limiting as a discard requirement for players not fully invested in a snow strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Saddled Rimestag demands a stringent mana base with a need for snow mana. Access to this type of mana often dictates a specialized land set which can compromise the deck’s flexibility and may not be as readily available compared to regular mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes one generic and one snow mana, Saddled Rimestag can be expensive relative to its stats. In competitive play, more impactful creatures or spells are available at similar or lower costs, thus potentially limiting the viability of Saddled Rimestag in some formats.

Reasons to Include Saddled Rimestag in Your Collection

Versatility: Saddled Rimestag can be a powerful addition to any green deck that benefits from creatures with power scaling. Its strength increases with each snow permanent you control, making it adaptable to snow-heavy decks.

Combo Potential: This creature’s power boost in conjunction with snow permanents opens up avenues for combo interactions in snow-centric decks, particularly those that capitalize on tapping and untapping snow lands for various effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where snow decks or creatures with flexible power are prevalent, Saddled Rimestag can be a force to be reckoned with. Its ability to grow quickly makes it a relevant threat for any opponent to consider.

How to beat

The Saddled Rimestag presents as an intriguing challenge in MTG due to its buff in cold climates – specifically when there’s a snow land on your battlefield. Its power can escalate quickly, turning it into a formidable presence if not addressed early. Overcoming this clever creature requires a strategic approach. One effective method is utilizing removal spells before it becomes too large to handle efficiently. Cards like Fatal Push can be excellent for swiftly taking down the Rimestag before it’s bolstered by its snow land synergy.

Another angle to consider when facing this particular stag is keeping its snow land-based buffs at bay. This could involve land destruction or simply not allowing snow lands on the field in the first place, a tactic within control decks. Moreover, preventing the beast from attacking or blocking through cards that tap or pacify creatures can also impede its growth and utility in the game. In any confrontation with the Rimestag, remember that timing is critical – neutralize it before it leaps out of control.

Remember, adapting to the board and recognizing when the Saddled Rimestag is most vulnerable will give you a solid advantage. Swiftly and decisively take action, and this seemingly menacing creature will be no match for your strategic plays.

Cards like Saddled Rimestag

Exploring the tundra of MTG card abilities, Saddled Rimestag stands out as a unique creature with its power increasing during specific conditions. Comparable to Tattermunge Maniac from Shadowmoor, both cards have the same initial cost but their power mechanics differ. Tattermunge Maniac requires no specific condition to maintain its power, while the Rimestag needs you to control a snow permanent to achieve its potential.

Taking it a step further into the icy realms, we can draw a parallel with Boreal Druid, another card influenced by snow permanents. Although the Druid doesn’t boast the power level of the Rimestag, it gives players an additional mana when tapping. In contrast, the Rimestag offers no such ramp but potentially higher damage output. Then there’s Rimehorn Aurochs, harnessing the snow theme to manipulate the board state by using the snow-covered lands you have in play. Unlike the straightforward aggression of the Rimestag, the Aurochs provides more subtle utility.

When lining up the frost-covered cards side by side, Saddled Rimestag presents itself as a creature with considerable power in the right deck. It’s the synergy with snow permanents that unlocks its true capacity to be a formidable force on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Saddled Rimestag by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Saddled Rimestag MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Saddled Rimestag and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Saddled Rimestag has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-06-14	Saddled Rimestag doesn’t get more than +2/+2 if you had more than one other creature enter the battlefield under your control during a turn.
2019-06-14	Saddled Rimestag’s effect applies even if the other creature entered the battlefield under your control before Saddled Rimestag entered the battlefield, and it continues to apply even if that creature leaves the battlefield.
2019-06-14	Saddled Rimestag’s effect checks each turn whether it applies during that turn. It doesn’t check only during the turn it enters the battlefield.