Rakdos Cackler MTG Card


Provides early board presence and efficient trading without massive card advantage. Cost-effective and offers instant game pace alteration with its Unleash ability. Restrictive hybrid mana cost limits its cross-deck versatility in MTG.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Devil
Abilities Unleash
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.)

Devil-blades and dripping blood make music Rakdos never tires of hearing.


Cards like Rakdos Cackler

Rakdos Cackler stands out in the realm of one-mana creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Like the infamous Goblin Guide, the Cackler offers a powerful early game punch. Both creatures present the advantage of a high attack value for just a single mana investment. Rakdos Cackler’s unleash ability lets players choose whether they need it as a defender later on or as a consistent source of 2 damage right from the start. Goblin Guide, though, potentially gives your opponent card advantage with its reveal mechanic.

Another similar contender is Vexing Devil. While it shares the same power level with Rakdos Cackler at the cost of one red mana, it’s the devil’s tricky ultimatum that sets it apart. It gives opponents the choice to take damage or deal with the creature on the board. Whereas, Rakdos Cackler gives the control to the player, deciding how aggressive they wish to be. Lastly, Monastery Swiftspear also comes in as an exciting comparison. It has haste and a prowess ability that increases its power with non-creature spells cast, diversifying your strategic approach in the early game, unlike the static unleash ability of Rakdos Cackler.

Considering these points, Rakdos Cackler provides robust and versatile offense for red and black aggressive decks, especially when deciding how to apply early pressure to opponents in Magic: The Gathering.

Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Vexing Devil - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Vexing Devil - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Rakdos Cackler. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
GrixisGrixis Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Boros ConvokeBoros Convoke ModernMardu ConvokeDEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rakdos Cackler doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage in the traditional sense. Rather, it’s a valued piece for efficient trades and early board presence, allowing players to navigate the game’s initial phases with a strong, aggressive start.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, Rakdos Cackler is highly efficient for its cost. With a low mana investment, this allows players to develop their board early while keeping resources open for further game-plan execution whether it’s casting more creatures or holding up mana for crucial spells.

Instant Speed: The Rakdos Cackler operates at sorcery speed, being a creature card. However, its Unleash ability provides instant impact by offering the decision of having a more aggressive creature at the cost of blocking. This choice can instantly alter the pace of the game, delivering psychological advantage and strategic flexibility.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Being a part of the Rakdos guild, the Cackler could be perceived as a card that may come with an implicit cost. While this isn’t true for this card specifically, many Rakdos-themed cards often require discarding as a strategy, which can put you at a substantial disadvantage if you’re not geared up with an appropriate synergistic deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Rakdos Cackler has a hybrid mana cost, which is both its strength and limitation. While it offers flexibility within two colors, red and black, it still restricts you to these colors. Decks without these mana sources won’t be able to utilize this aggressive creature, limiting its cross-deck versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At first glance, a mana cost of one might seem negligible. However, when evaluating its overall impact on the game, especially in fast-paced match-ups, every mana point counts. There may be situations where deploying a one-drop creature doesn’t align optimally with your strategy, especially if other cards in your deck demand a tight mana curve.


Reasons to Include Rakdos Cackler in Your Collection

Versatility: Rakdos Cackler is a flexible card that can be easily slotted into aggro decks. Its ability to be unleashed allows it to fit the role of either an aggressive one-drop or a resilient threat that can bypass certain stalling tactics.

Combo Potential: As a one-mana creature with the possibility of becoming a 2/2, it works well with sacrifice and power-boosting strategies. This makes it a valuable piece in combos that revolve around cheap, efficient creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Aggro decks frequently have a place in the MTG meta, and Rakdos Cackler holds its own against many popular deck archetypes. Being a cost-effective and aggressive option, it becomes a worthy inclusion in an environment where fast starts can determine the winner.


How to beat

The Rakdos Cackler stands as a formidable force in the early game of Magic the Gathering. This one-mana creature boasts the Unleash ability, allowing it to enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter if you choose not to have it block. Addressing this threat requires strategic timing and card selection. Removal spells such as Fatal Push or Shock can dispatch it efficiently before it grows out of hand. In a control deck, consider board wipes like Supreme Verdict to manage a swarm of aggressive creatures, including the Rakdos Cackler.

Monitoring your life total is critical against decks that play Rakdos Cackler, as they seek to reduce it quickly. Lifegain spells or creatures can help you stabilize and outpace the damage dealt by aggressive starts. Remember that utility creatures with higher toughness can deter or outright stop Rakdos Cackler since it can’t block if unleashed—making it less of an obstacle as the game progresses. Ultimately, handling the Rakdos Cackler involves a balance of removing it swiftly, hindering its attack with your defenses, and recovering from the early assaults to take control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakdos Cackler MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 Rakdos Cackler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rakdos Cackler Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 498422003NormalBlackDave Kendall
22012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 2202003NormalBlackRyan Barger
32019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 672015NormalBlackRyan Barger
42020-09-26The ListPLST GK2-672015NormalBlackRyan Barger

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rakdos Cackler has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 A creature with unleash can’t block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability.
2013-04-15 Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that’s already blocking won’t remove it from combat. It will continue to block.
2013-04-15 The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from.
2013-04-15 You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it’s entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example.