Gruul Ragebeast MTG Card


Provides continuous creature-based removal, turning creatures into immediate board control assets. Indirectly ramps resources by deterring opponents from playing their cards. Enables surprise combat interactions with creatures that can be played at flash speed.
Gruul Ragebeast - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Fight
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number170
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDave Kendall

Text of card

Whenever Gruul Ragebeast or another creature enters the battlefield under your control, that creature fights target creature an opponent controls.

"If the other guilds want a war, they should know we've been ready the whole time." —Ruric Thar, Ghor-Clan chieftain


Cards like Gruul Ragebeast

The Gruul Ragebeast, a formidable presence in Magic: The Gathering, invites comparisons with other creature cards that influence the battlefield upon arrival. Cards like Thragtusk share the theme of immediate impact, offering life gain and a token upon leaving the battlefield. Gruul Ragebeast differs by compelling any creature you summon to fight another target creature, potentially altering the board state significantly with its repeatable removal effect.

Moldgraf Monstrosity shares the Gruul Ragebeast’s color identity and also interacts powerfully with the battlefield, but through a different mechanism: reanimation of creatures when it dies. This provides long-term value, contrasting the Ragebeast’s more aggressive immediate board influence. Another similar card is the Territorial Allosaurus, which offers a fight mechanic through its kicker cost. Although the Allosaurus is more flexible in its casting cost, it doesn’t match the Ragebeast’s potential for consistent creature control.

Analyzing these creatures reveals Gruul Ragebeast’s unique position within Magic: The Gathering as a relentless enforcer of combat, shaping the flow of the game by turning each creature play into a potential threat removal. This makes the Ragebeast a particularly aggressive choice in decks that can reliably cast large creatures.

Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Moldgraf Monstrosity - MTG Card versions
Territorial Allosaurus - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Moldgraf Monstrosity - MTG Card versions
Territorial Allosaurus - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gruul Ragebeast by color, type and mana cost

Borborygmos - MTG Card versions
Skarrgan Skybreaker - MTG Card versions
Atarka, World Render - MTG Card versions
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Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions
Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient - MTG Card versions
Gut, Bestial Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Conqueror // Etali, Primal Sickness - MTG Card versions
Riftburst Hellion - MTG Card versions
Borborygmos - MTG Card versions
Skarrgan Skybreaker - MTG Card versions
Atarka, World Render - MTG Card versions
Loamdragger Giant - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions
Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient - MTG Card versions
Gut, Bestial Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Conqueror // Etali, Primal Sickness - MTG Card versions
Riftburst Hellion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gruul Ragebeast provides a repeating effect that essentially turns each of your creatures into removal spells. This constant board impact ensures that you’re continuously pressing the advantage against your opponent and can lead to card advantage by removing multiple opponent cards with just one of your own.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, the presence of Gruul Ragebeast can deter opponents from deploying their own resources, indirectly enhancing your position. Moreover, it can also change the pace of the game, allowing you to dictate trades and battlefield presence more efficiently.

Instant Speed: Gruul Ragebeast itself operates more at sorcery speed, but the mechanic it utilizes, fighting, utilizes creatures you play which can include creatures with flash. This allows for unexpected combat advantages and the removal of threats during your opponent’s turn, akin to the flexibility that instant speed spells provide.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gruul Ragebeast comes with the inherent issue of not having any direct discard requirements itself, but can be impacted in gameplay when used within a deck that necessitates discarding as a strategy component, potentially leading to a loss of crucial hand assets.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that specifically requires both red and green, the Gruul Ragebeast can be challenging to cast in a timely manner in decks that are not dedicated to the Gruul color combination, limiting its versatility in multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Demand for a total of seven mana, which includes three being red or green, makes the Ragebeast a costly investment in the early to mid-game. This steep mana curve can delay its deployment, giving opponents an opportunity to establish board presence or counterplay.


Reasons to Include Gruul Ragebeast in Your Collection

Versatility: The Gruul Ragebeast is a formidable addition to any deck aiming for board dominance. It shines in red-green builds, bringing consistent pressure to the battlefield every time you cast another creature.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or those that benefit from fighting. When paired with deathtouch or creatures that can survive combat, the Ragebeast can turn into a recurring removal tool.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Gruul Ragebeast can disrupt your opponents’ plans by forcing unfavorable fights upon them, potentially swinging the game in your favor. Its presence in your collection signifies readiness to adapt to such meta shifts.


How to beat

Overcoming the Gruul Ragebeast in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic finesse due to its formidable presence. This powerful creature shines in decks where battling and creature-based interactions are central themes. With its ability to force a creature to fight another target creature upon entering the battlefield, the Gruul Ragebeast can quickly become disruptive. A viable strategy to handle this threat is to utilize instant-speed removal spells before the Ragebeast’s ability triggers, thereby nixing the forced fight.

Additionally, you can employ creatures with death-triggered abilities or ones that leave the field unscathed when forced into combat, turning the tables to your advantage. Counterspells also play a pivotal role in keeping the Ragebeast off the battlefield entirely. Aim for flexible, cost-efficient interaction cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade to handle it swiftly and save crucial resources for later conflicts.

Staying ahead means having the right answers at the right times. Utilize your spells to control the board and prevent your opponent from exploiting the Ragebeast’s capacity for chaos. With smart tactics, you can negate its impact and maintain dominance over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unleashing the power of Gruul Ragebeast can dramatically reshape your MTG matches. As it turns every creature you cast into a potent threat, having this card in your arsenal is a game-changer. With its ability to tip the scales in your favor, it’s a must-have for any player who thrives on board control and tactical creature plays. Ready to enhance your deck’s capabilities and outmaneuver your adversaries with strategic card plays? Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us, discover effective strategies, and secure your status as a formidable opponent. Let’s take your gameplay to the next level together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gruul Ragebeast MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Gruul Ragebeast and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gruul Ragebeast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-01-24 Gruul Ragebeast’s triggered ability isn’t optional. However, if no opponent controls a creature when a creature enters the battlefield under your control, the ability will be removed from the stack.
2013-01-24 If one or both of the creatures that are supposed to fight are no longer on the battlefield when the ability resolves, the fight won’t happen. Neither creature will deal or be dealt damage.
2013-01-24 If the target creature is an illegal target when the ability tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. Neither creature will deal or be dealt damage.