Rubbleback Rhino MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Rhino
Abilities	Hexproof
Released	2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Return to Ravnica
Set code	RTR
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	132
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Johann Bodin

Key Takeaways

Rhino’s resilience leads to card advantage by forcing opponents into resource-draining situations.
Stable board presence with hexproof allows strategic instant spell plays, enhancing deck synergy.
Demands specific mana but provides a steadfast defense, a boon against aggressive opponents.

Text of card

Hexproof (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)

The trouble started when a street urchin bet a goblin he could ride one until the clock on Shilbo's Tower struck thirteen.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Rubbleback Rhino doesn’t directly offer card draw, it often requires multiple cards from an opponent to deal with it due to its resilience, indirectly contributing to card advantage. Additionally, its presence can dissuade opponents from using their removal, allowing you to build a stronger board presence unimpeded.

Resource Acceleration: Rubbleback Rhino may not generate additional mana or treasure tokens, but its stability on the battlefield ensures a reliable blocker that can help you maintain your resources. By absorbing attacks that would otherwise deplete your life points or force unfavorable trades, it allows you to more effectively allocate mana towards spells that advance your game state.

Instant Speed: Though the Rhino itself is not cast at instant speed, its hexproof ability synergizes well with instant speed spells in your deck. By protecting it from targeted spells, you can more safely wait to play your instants until the most opportune moment, knowing that your Rhino remains a steadfast defender on the board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Rubbleback Rhino doesn’t specifically ask for a discard, cycling cards often end up in decks with this card, and they require a card to be discarded. This could be tricky for players when hand size is dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Rubbleback Rhino needs a mix of green and colorless mana to play, which might not blend seamlessly into all deck types, especially those that are color intensive or spread across multiple colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana cost of five for an unremarkable stats line, Rubbleback Rhino stands at a disadvantage when compared to other creatures at similar or lower cost that provide immediate impact or possess evasive abilities.

Reasons to Include Rubbleback Rhino in Your Collection

Versatility: Rubbleback Rhino can be an unexpected boon in decks that capitalize on high toughness creatures. Its resilience to removal through hexproof makes it a reliable defensive presence on the board.

Combo Potential: In strategies that focus on +1/+1 counters or evolve mechanics, the Rhino’s substantial toughness and ability to stay on the field can contribute positively to the synergy of such decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given that aggressive decks are a constant in many metas, Rubbleback Rhino serves as a solid blockade. Its hexproof attribute ensures it remains as a persistent threat to opponents, disrupting their pace and giving you the upper hand.

How to beat

Rubbleback Rhino brings a steady presence to the battlefield with its formidable combination of hexproof and decent toughness. This green creature from the vast world of MTG can be an annoyance, mainly due to its resistance to targeted spells and abilities. To circumvent this, board clearers like Wrath of God or Damnation can effectively deal with it as they do not target and hence bypass the hexproof shield.

An alternative strategy is to surpass the Rhino in combat strength. Engaging larger creatures or ones with death-touch can pose a significant threat, making it an unfavorable blocker. Employing spells that alter combat dynamics, such as Sleep, can also neutralize the Rhino temporarily, providing a clear path to victory.

Adapting your gameplay to include these strategies can be pivotal in gaining the upper hand against a deck that prides itself on using a Rubbleback Rhino as a bulwark. The key is to leverage non-targeted removal or outclass it in the arena of creature combat, ensuring that your actions remain outside the Rhino’s hexproof domain.

Cards like Rubbleback Rhino

Rubbleback Rhino holds its ground as a sturdy creature card in Magic: The Gathering, carrying the mantle of a defensive beast with its hexproof ability. It can be likened to the well-known Gladecover Scout, which is more affordable but offers similar hexproof protection on a smaller scale. However, the Rhino, with a more substantial body, can be a formidable blocker and a survivor of various sweepers.

Another comparable card is the Vinelasher Kudzu, a creature that boasts the potential to grow with every land you play. While it doesn’t come with built-in hexproof, the Kudzu can rapidly become a bigger threat. The Rhino, though, offers a clear advantage in stability from the moment it hits the battlefield. On the topic of resilience, Silhana Ledgewalker cannot go unmentioned, a creature that also has hexproof and can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying. Although it starts smaller than the Rhino, the evasion it provides is a different type of tactical edge.

The strength of Rubbleback Rhino lies in its immediate board presence and defensive capability, making it a reliable choice for players looking for a safeguard against targeted removal in their Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards similar to Rubbleback Rhino by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rubbleback Rhino MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Rubbleback Rhino and other MTG cards: