Deathbellow Raider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Minotaur Berserker
Released	2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set name	Theros
Set code	THS
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	117
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Key Takeaways

Pressure opponents effectively with Deathbellow Raider’s aggressive cost-to-power ratio and built-in regeneration.
Blend this Minotaur into aggressive decks, capitalizing on its forced attack and potential to pressure early game.
Strategically overcome its aggressive playstyle with targeted removal or effects that prevent attacks and regeneration.

Text of card

Deathbellow Raider attacks each turn if able. : Regenerate Deathbellow Raider.

"The temple has been rededicated. It belongs to Mogis now." —Rastos, disciple of Mogis

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Deathbellow Raider doesn’t directly increase your hand size, its aggressive cost to power ratio can pressure opponents and potentially trade with higher-cost creatures, offering a form of indirect advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although this minotaur warrior doesn’t provide mana or treasure, it comes with a built-in regeneration ability. This means that for just two mana, it can persist on the board, demanding an answer and saving your more crucial resources for later plays.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Deathbellow Raider doesn’t operate at instant speed but its regeneration ability can be activated at any time you could cast an instant. This gives it resilience during combat or in response to removal spells, allowing you to preserve your board presence and keep up the pressure.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside to Deathbellow Raider is the obligatory attack each turn. This can be detrimental in a match, as it removes the option to hold back creatures for defensive purposes and may lead to unfavorable trades on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Deathbellow Raider’s mana cost requires both generic and red mana. This specific mana cost means it is inherently limited to red or multicolored decks, potentially restricting your deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/3 creature, Deathbellow Raider may initially seem cost-effective. However, when you consider this cost in conjunction with its mandatory attack rule and its regeneration condition requiring another red mana, the overall cost may not be as mana-efficient compared to other creatures in the same mana range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deathbellow Raider adapts well to aggressive deck builds, particularly those leveraging the Minotaur tribal synergy. Its ability to attack each turn if able makes it a constant threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This creature’s regeneration ability is a strong combo enabler in decks that capitalize on self-harm or “pay life” strategies, turning potential downsides into sustained board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where early aggression can dictate the pace of the game, Deathbellow Raider’s consistent pressure can be a game-changer, especially against slower or less interactive decks.

How to beat

Overcoming Deathbellow Raider in Magic: The Gathering relies on strategic planning and effective card choice. With its mandatory attack each turn, giving your opponent creatures with higher toughness or deathtouch can be an effective deterrent. Using removal spells such as Murder or Shock, which can easily target this aggressive Minotaur, also provides a clear path to dealing with it before your opponent can benefit from its attack.

Since Deathbellow Raider must attack each turn if able and can regenerate, cards that prevent regeneration or exile creatures completely, like Path to Exile, bypass this ability. Moreover, employing strategies that prevent it from attacking, such as enchantments that tap it down permanently, like Pacifism, can render the Raider useless, providing a peaceful solution to this otherwise ferocious warrior.

Beatdown and control decks often include varied answers to such threats, ensuring that a single Deathbellow Raider doesn’t upset the balance of the game. Thus, while the Raider can pose a significant early threat with its relentless assault, well-prepared players can respond aptly, minimizing its impact on the game state and maintaining control of the battlefield.

Cards like Deathbellow Raider

Deathbellow Raider holds its own in the tribe of aggressive Minotaur creatures within MTG. It’s often measured against other two-mana cost creatures such as Kragma Warcaller, which amplifies Minotaur strength and haste. Although not directly boosting other creatures, Deathbellow Raider does offer consistent damage with its required attack every turn, an effect reminiscent of the Berserker’s onslaught.

A closer peer is Gore-House Chainwalker, as both are two-cost creatures with the potential to cause early game pressure. However, where Gore-House Chainwalker uses the unleash mechanic allowing a bump in power with no capacity to block, Deathbellow Raider, with its regeneration ability, can sustain longer in battle, providing a durable threat on the board.

Lastly, we examine Rakdos Cackler, another creature known for a quick offense due to unleash. Unlike Deathbellow Raider, it doesn’t carry the regeneration facility and hence, can be easier to remove from the field. Decoding these nuances helps players identify which creatures best suit their strategy, particularly in aggressive red and black Minotaur-focused decks where Deathbellow Raider shines with resilience.

Gore-House Chainwalker - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deathbellow Raider MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Deathbellow Raider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deathbellow Raider has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-15	If, during your declare attackers step, Deathbellow Raider is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can't attack, or hasn't been under your control continuously since the turn began (and doesn't have haste), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack, you're not forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
2013-09-15	You still choose which player or planeswalker Deathbellow Raider attacks.