Rampaging Ferocidon MTG Card


Rampaging Ferocidon indirectly maintains card parity by limiting opponents’ creature-based card advantage. Though not a resource accelerator, its presence can grant a strategic tempo advantage in games. Its static ability ensures a consistent, game-long threat, altering opponents’ tactics significantly.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Menace
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Menace Players can't gain life. Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, Rampaging Ferocidon deals 1 damage to that creature's controller.

All raptors are aggressive, but ferocidons seem to enjoy their prey's pain.


Cards like Rampaging Ferocidon

Rampaging Ferocidon makes an impactful statement in the realm of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some common traits with cards like Harsh Mentor, which similarly punishes opponents’ actions. However, Rampaging Ferocidon extends this punishing aspect onto creatures entering the battlefield, on top of dealing direct damage to the opponent. Harsh Mentor lacks this creature focus and doesn’t have the added benefit of preventing life gain.

Roiling Vortex is another card that factors into this comparison with its ability to deal damage to each player during their upkeep and punishing life gain strategies, much like Rampaging Ferocidon. Still, as an enchantment, it doesn’t present the same board presence that a creature like Rampaging Ferocidon offers. Comparatively, Zo-Zu the Punisher can also be aligned in terms of strategy, as it deals damage when lands enter the battlefield under an opponent’s control, but doesn’t intercept creature strategies or life gain like Rampaging Ferocidon does.

Assessing these similar options, Rampaging Ferocidon definitely holds its own as a versatile punisher in Magic: The Gathering. It’s the combination of its deterrent to creature-heavy decks, life gain negation, and overall aggressive posture that ensures this dino’s place in many red strategies.

Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Roiling Vortex - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Roiling Vortex - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rampaging Ferocidon by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
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Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
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Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro PioneerGruul AggroPioneer Challenge 32 2024-03-24
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Gruul VehiclesGruul Vehicles PioneerGruul AggroReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 12:30 pm (Bronze)
Sword Point RedSword Point Red Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Izzet Ensoul ArtifactIzzet Ensoul Artifact PioneerIzzet Ensoul ArtifactPioneer League 2024-04-05
Mono-Red Some Brand of CerealMono-Red Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Naya MonstersNaya Monsters Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
UBRGUBRG Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
GruulGruul Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Rampaging Ferocidon itself doesn’t directly draw cards, it restricts opponents’ strategies that would generate card advantage through creature effects or life gain, indirectly maintaining your equivalence in resources on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This card does not accelerate resources in the conventional sense of providing additional mana. However, the deterrence it creates by penalizing opponents’ creature plays can give you a time advantage, enabling you to utilize your resources more effectively while opponents reconsider their strategy.

Instant Speed: Rampaging Ferocidon is a creature with a static ability that affects the game as long as it’s on the battlefield. Although not at instant speed, it creates a persistent threat that forces your opponent to deal with it or suffer the consequences every single turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Rampaging Ferocidon provides a valuable deterrent against opponents’ creatures entering the battlefield, it lacks an on-cast advantage such as drawing or discarding cards which some other red cards offer. This can make it less appealing in scenarios where you’re seeking to cycle through your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Rampaging Ferocidon is heavily red, demanding one generic and two red mana. This specific mana requirement makes it less fluid for multi-color decks that might struggle with the consistent generation of red mana or prioritize their red resources for other spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though its mana cost is not excessive, Rampaging Ferocidon’s three mana investment can be significant in the early game. Considering the aggressive nature of many red decks, players might prefer cards with lower mana costs that allow for a quicker tempo and early pressure on the opponent.


Reasons to Include Rampaging Ferocidon in Your Collection

Versatility: Rampaging Ferocidon is a card that thrives across various deck types. Its ability to penalize opponents for playing creatures makes it a strong inclusion not only in aggressive builds but also in decks that aim to control the board and hamper creature-heavy strategies.

Combo Potential: This dinosaur has significant synergy with strategies seeking to restrict life gain or exploit damage-dealing effects. In combination with cards that create creature tokens on the opponent’s side, it can quickly turn the tables in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks focusing on creature-based strategies or life gain for competitive advantage, Rampaging Ferocidon provides a relevant countermeasure. Its ability reflects a key understanding of the current meta and can often serve as a game-changer against prevalent decks. Keeping it in your collection ensures you have a well-rounded tool to face an evolving metagame.


How to beat Rampaging Ferocidon

Rampaging Ferocidon presents a significant challenge for players who rely on creature-heavy strategies, especially those that generate a swarm of tokens or rely on life gain. This three-mana red dinosaur from Ixalan can quickly turn the tide of the game with its menacing ability to punish opponents for bringing creatures onto the battlefield and preventing life gain.

To counteract Rampaging Ferocidon effectively, removal spells that can bypass its protection from being countered are key. Instant-speed options such as Path to Exile provide an immediate answer, ensuring you pay minimal life taxes for your creatures. Board wipes like Damnation or Wrath of God are indispensable, clearing the field and neutralizing the threat without fuss. Strategies that focus on non-creature spells can also avoid the taxing punisher effect of the Ferocidon. Therefore, having a mix of removals or pivoting towards spell-based control or combo decks could make your matchup against Rampaging Ferocidon more favorable.

Acknowledging this powerhouse’s potential to disrupt creature-centered plans is crucial in constructing a resilient and versatile deck. Weaving in adequate answers to tackle not just Ferocidon but similar threats is a sign of a well-rounded deck built for the challenges of the current MTG meta.


BurnMana Recommendations

Rampaging Ferocidon’s prowess in MTG extends beyond the battlefield; this dino can vitalize your deck by causing opponents to second guess their creature plays. If your strategy involves hindering life gain or leveraging damage triggers, consider keeping this menacing red card in your arsenal. MTG’s playing field is always shifting, and Ferocidon’s nuanced potential is a boon for players looking to maintain an edge. Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your collection is ready to take on the diverse strategies found around the table. Dig deeper into strategic insights with us and let Rampaging Ferocidon’s roar resonate with victory in your next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rampaging Ferocidon MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan Promos and Ixalan, 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 Rampaging Ferocidon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rampaging Ferocidon Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 154s2015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
22017-09-29IxalanXLN 1542015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13902015NormalBorderlessDan Mumford & Thomas Roach
42023-11-17Special GuestsSPG 82015NormalBorderlessDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rampaging Ferocidon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-09-29 If an effect says to set a player’s life total to a number that’s higher than the player’s current life total while Rampaging Ferocidon is on the battlefield, the player’s life total doesn’t change.
2017-09-29 If another creature enters the battlefield at the same time as Rampaging Ferocidon, its last ability triggers.
2017-09-29 Rampaging Ferocidon’s last ability triggers whenever any player has a creature enter the battlefield, including you.
2017-09-29 Spells and abilities that cause players to gain life still resolve while Rampaging Ferocidon is on the battlefield. No player will gain life, but any other effects of that spell or ability will happen.