Starved Rusalka MTG Card


Starved Rusalka - Guildpact
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Released2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameGuildpact
Set codeGPT
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number97
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDany Orizio

Key Takeaways

  1. Gains value from otherwise marginal creatures on the battlefield by converting them into advantages.
  2. Provides an instant speed ability for reactive plays, elevating strategic dimensions in matches.
  3. Demands careful board management due to the creature sacrifice requirement, affecting game dynamics.

Text of card

, Sacrifice a creature: You gain 1 life.

"No more wretched fate is there than to waste away. If you are slain, your ghost may at least avenge itself upon your killer. But what release is there for one slain by Time?" —Ilromov, traveling storyteller


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Starved Rusalka provides an edge in gameplay by offering a consistent way to utilize creatures that would otherwise be less beneficial on the battlefield, turning them into strategic advantages.

Resource Acceleration: This card acts as a cost-effective method to rapidly manipulate your graveyard, setting the stage for powerful plays and synergizing with mechanics like delve or flashback that can benefit from an enriched graveyard environment.

Instant Speed: Starved Rusalka’s ability operates at instant speed, granting players the flexibility to react to their opponent’s moves and strategize their sacrifice tactics without being constrained by the turn structure, leading to potential surprise swings in the game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Starved Rusalka, the discard equivalent is the sacrifice of a creature. This can deplete board presence, a serious setback if you’re relying on a strong creature lineup.

Specific Mana Cost: Starved Rusalka requires green mana in its casting cost. This makes it specific to green decks or those that can accommodate multicolored mana bases, potentially narrowing deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Engaging its ability also requires one green mana each time, which might be unwieldy in situations where mana optimization is key. There are alternative cards with lower costs for similar or even better effects.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Starved Rusalka offers a flexible role in various deck archetypes. Its ability to sacrifice other creatures can manipulate board states, manage resources, and synergize with graveyard strategies, making it a handy tool in your collection.

Combo Potential: With its sacrifice outlet, Starved Rusalka can be a crucial piece in combo decks. It pairs well with cards that generate tokens or engines that benefit from creatures dying, unlocking the door to powerful interactions and combo finishes.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with creature-based strategies, Starved Rusalka’s ability to consistently interact with the board gives it relevance. It can be a strategic sideboard or main deck option, depending on the shifting currents of competitive play.


How to beat

The Starved Rusalka serves as a subtle but versatile tool for sacrifice strategies in Magic: The Gathering. As a one-drop Creature, it can be both an early game nuisance and a critical part of a combo in the late game. To effectively counter this card, keeping removal spells at the ready is essential. Instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can disrupt your opponent’s sequence before they reap the benefits of the sacrifice ability.

Moreover, by understanding their game plan, you can prioritize threats and decide the best moment to target the Rusalka. Graveyard hate is also an effective method against decks that utilize the Starved Rusalka, since it often counts on creature synergy and recurring graveyard mechanics. Cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can nullify the strategy before it gains momentum. Timing is everything, and carefully choosing when to deploy your answers ensures that the Starved Rusalka won’t starve you of victory.


Cards like Starved Rusalka

Starved Rusalka serves as an intriguing option for players seeking creature sacrifice outlets in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in line with cards such as Carrion Feeder, allowing players to sacrifice other creatures for a cost. However, Starved Rusalka brings its own nuance to the table – a life-gaining component, providing an additional benefit every time you utilize its sacrifice ability.

Looking at Viscera Seer, we see another comparable card. This card permits players to scry whenever a creature is sacrificed, which can greatly influence deck consistency and the draw quality. Starved Rusalka doesn’t offer the deck-manipulation perk but compensates with the life gain that could be pivotal in tight matches.

Then there’s Bloodthrone Vampire, which also thrives in decks built around sacrificing creatures. It gains strength whenever you sacrifice a creature, potentially turning it into a significant threat. While the Rusalka only offers a modest increase in life, Bloodthrone Vampire can become the focal point of a powerful offensive strategy.

In essence, Starved Rusalka holds a unique position among its peers for players who value incremental life gain and need a repeatable sacrifice outlet in their gameplay. Its balance between sacrificial demand and life-given reward makes it a versatile choice in creature-based decks.

Carrion Feeder - MTG Card versions
Viscera Seer - MTG Card versions
Bloodthrone Vampire - MTG Card versions
Carrion Feeder - Scourge (SCG)
Viscera Seer - Magic 2011 (M11)
Bloodthrone Vampire - URL/Convention Promos (PURL)

Cards similar to Starved Rusalka by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
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Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
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Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions
Elvish Pioneer - MTG Card versions
Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - Dominaria (DOM)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Exodus (EXO)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nimble Mongoose - The List (PLST)
Elvish Lyrist - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Elvish Pioneer - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hana Kami - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Norwood Ranger - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Starved Rusalka MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Starved Rusalka and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Starved Rusalka has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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