Araba Mothrider MTG Card


Araba Mothrider - Saviors of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Samurai
Abilities Bushido,Flying
Released2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set nameSaviors of Kamigawa
Set codeSOK
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number2
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAnthony S. Waters

Key Takeaways

  1. Araba Mothrider provides reliable evasion, often outmaneuvering ground defense to maintain offensive momentum.
  2. Despite being a mana-flexible early play, it can be restrictive and may demand precise mana bases.
  3. This card’s synergy with certain decks justifies its inclusion, enhancing combo potential and versatility.

Text of card

Flying Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

"My finest creations are fashioned after the moths of Eiganjo. They fly higher, faster, and more gracefully than any of my own designs." —Noboru, master kitemaker


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Araba Mothrider doesn’t directly draw cards, its built-in evasion in the form of flying can be a persistent threat to your opponents, often bypassing ground blockers and maintaining pressure in the air. Having more creatures on the board compared to your opponent often translates to a form of card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t inherently accelerate your resources, but its low casting cost means you can deploy it early in the game without setting back your mana development. This allows you to use your mana efficiently in the early turns of the game, casting other spells to advance your board state or keep up with opponents.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of being able to cast spells at instant speed is not a feature of Araba Mothrider itself. However, as it is a Samurai creature card, its synergy with other cards that may benefit from Samurai or creatures entering the battlefield at various times can be valuable in a highly reactive game situation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Araba Mothrider doesn’t directly ask for a card to be discarded, you need to be aware that playing creatures without impactful enters-the-battlefield effects might lead to disadvantageous card trade-offs, especially if you’re facing removal-heavy decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Araba Mothrider requires white mana to be played, which could restrict its inclusion to mono-white or similar color decks that can consistently provide white mana in the early turns.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that provides flying to only itself, the mana cost might be seen as steep by some players, considering other options in the mana curve that could add more value or flexibility to your battlefield.


Reasons to Include Araba Mothrider in Your Collection

Versatility: Araba Mothrider can be a valuable asset in decks that require evasion, providing creatures with the ability to soar over defenders. Its ability to grant flying until end of turn makes it adaptable in various situations.

Combo Potential: This flying facilitator pairs well with strategies designed around tapping and untapping creatures, or cards that benefit from creatures with flying. It opens doors for powerful plays and synergistic interactions on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: As gameplay evolves, having creatures that can evade ground stalls can be crucial. The Araba Mothrider slots into the current landscape by offering a flexible way to deal with creature-heavy boards and secure damage against opponents.


How to beat

Mastering your gameplay against the Araba Mothrider card can be quite the strategic puzzle in Magic: The Gathering. This card gains particular advantage when it dominates the skies, offering its controller a power to soar over ground-based defenses. To counter this flying threat, you want to consider options that neutralize or bypass its airborne capability. One strategy is to use cards that can reach into the heavens such as instant-speed removal spells which can effectively deal with the Mothrider before it becomes a nuisance.

Another potential answer lies in cards that prevent or limit the effectiveness of flying creatures. With enchantments that ground creatures or provide reach to your own units, the Mothrider’s advantage diminishes. It’s also wise to keep a balanced mix of flying blockers in your deck, which could combat the Mothrider’s flying trait head-on. Furthermore, focusing on rapid board development can overwhelm a strategy reliant on a singular flying creature.

Ultimately, beating the Araba Mothrider calls for a combination of smart deck construction and timely reactions during the match. It’s not merely about having answers, but knowing when and how to deploy them in the rhythm of the game that seals victory.


Cards like Araba Mothrider

Araba Mothrider is a card that delicately weaves its abilities into the fabric of combat strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often paralleled with other cards such as Gustcloak Savior, known for also providing protection to your creatures during the combat phase. Similar to Araba Mothrider, Gustcloak Savior allows creatures to avoid unfavorable battles by untapping them, though it does not provide flying.

Another counterpart is Lantern Scout, sharing the theme of combat support. Where Araba Mothrider offers evasion through flying, Lantern Scout confers lifelink, enhancing your survivability during skirmishes. Moreover, Kjeldoran Skycaptain limns a resemblance, being another creature card that benefits your forces when it attacks, albeit in a vastly different manner—by building up a stockpile of +1/+1 counters.

In essence, when evaluating Araba Mothrider alongside its likenesses, one can appreciate its unique offering in Magic: The Gathering—it grants a fleeting yet pivotal airborne advantage that, while situational, can turn the tides of a tightly contested aerial showdown.

Gustcloak Savior - MTG Card versions
Lantern Scout - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Skycaptain - MTG Card versions
Gustcloak Savior - Onslaught (ONS)
Lantern Scout - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
Kjeldoran Skycaptain - Ice Age (ICE)

Cards similar to Araba Mothrider by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Talon Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Avenger en-Dal - Nemesis (NEM)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Araba Mothrider MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Araba Mothrider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Araba Mothrider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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