Torch Courier MTG Card


Grants a surprise haste advantage, amplifying high-stakes plays and shifting MTG game dynamics in bold ways. Excels in fast-paced decks, enabling immediate offensive action and pressuring opponents early on. Flexibility at instant speed allows for unexpected combat twists, enhancing the tactical depth of MTG matches.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Haste
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Haste Sacrifice Torch Courier: Another target creature gains haste until end of turn.

"Light a torch and deliver this letter" were his instructions, which he unfortunately reversed.


Cards like Torch Courier

Torch Courier is a unique piece in red deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card provides a swift boost by granting another creature haste until the end of the turn. This ability is a direct parallel to Goblin Motivator, a card that also serves to give haste but does so repeatedly as an activated ability without self-sacrifice. This makes Goblin Motivator versatile for ongoing speed enhancements.

Another similar card is Footlight Fiend, which offers a different kind of utility. While it doesn’t grant haste, it compensates with a dying trigger that deals one damage to any target—a beneficial trait for chipping away an opponent’s life or controlling the board. Then we have Expedite, which not only gives a creature haste but allows you to draw a card. The trade-off here is that Expedite is an instant, which provides immediate impact without committing a creature to the board.

All things considered, Torch Courier shines when a single explosive turn is needed, particularly in decks that aim to combo off with a surprise finisher. While other cards provide repeatable effects or additional utility, Torch Courier’s niche is its sacrifice for an immediate and decisive advantage.

Goblin Motivator - MTG Card versions
Footlight Fiend - MTG Card versions
Expedite - MTG Card versions
Goblin Motivator - MTG Card versions
Footlight Fiend - MTG Card versions
Expedite - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Torch Courier by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions
Mogg Sentry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions
Mogg Sentry - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
RR VintageVintage Challenge 32 2023-12-09 (1)
Kiln FiendKiln Fiend PauperKiln FiendPauper League 2024-04-11
Raging Goblins Q1 2024Raging Goblins Q1 2024 Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-Red PrisonMono-Red Prison VintageRed PrisonVintage Challenge 32 2024-03-23
Mono-Red ComboMono-Red Combo VintageGoblins2023 NA Vintage Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Torch Courier doesn’t directly provide card draw, what makes this card shine is its potential to give later plays a significant boost, like hastening a bomb creature, therefore shifting game dynamics in your favor. This tactical advantage can be likened to card advantage as it can unexpectedly tip the scales, allowing players to utilize their cards to their fullest potential.

Resource Acceleration: The true power of Torch Courier comes into play with its ability to sprint past normal summoning sickness constraints. In the right deck, the Courier accelerates your game plan by giving an immediate offensive option, particularly advantageous for aggressive strategies aiming to outpace the opponent’s resource development.

Instant Speed: Torch Courier’s last ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise maneuvers in combat or end of turn situations. This can force enemies into unfavorable blocks or dissuade them from attacking, under the threat of your creatures suddenly gaining haste and turning the tide of battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Torch Courier necessitates sacrificing itself to grant another creature haste. This self-sacrifice can deplete your board presence, especially if you’re struggling to maintain a lineup of creatures during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires red mana to cast. For multi-colored decks that may struggle with mana consistency, consistently having the red mana to play Torch Courier when needed could be challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing a single red mana seems low, when weighing its onetime effect against other red one-drops, there might be alternatives that offer more prolonged benefits or versatility in gameplay, such as Foundry Street Denizen or Monastery Swiftspear.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Torch Courier’s ability to give haste to your biggest creature aligns perfectly with aggressive or combo-oriented decks that aim to win quickly. Its single red mana cost also makes it an easy fit in multi-colored decks.

Combo Potential: Torch Courier’s ability to sacrifice itself and grant haste to another creature can lead to lethal combinations in a single turn, particularly in strategies that rely on summoning a game-ending creature without waiting a turn to attack.

Meta-Relevance: In a fast-paced game environment where early pressure is key, Torch Courier excels. Speed is often of the essence, and the ability to immediately attack with a large creature could be the difference between victory and defeat. Plus, it’s an excellent choice against decks that are slower to set up their defenses.


How to beat

Torch Courier may seem unassuming with its single red mana cost and haste ability, yet it carries potential to unleash an early-game assault in MTG. As a 1/1 creature, it can quickly give another creature haste, accelerating the pace of the game. However, the key to countering Torch Courier lies in its squishy nature. With only one toughness, virtually any form of removal can take it off the battlefield, be it a simple Shock or a creature with higher toughness to block it. Moreover, Torch Courier’s ability requires it to be sacrificed, which means paying close attention to your opponent’s moves and being ready to respond before they can transfer haste to a more formidable creature.

One should also consider subtler strategies, such as cards that prevent abilities from being activated. By including cards that restrict when abilities of creatures can be activated, you hinder the Torch Courier’s potential to empower others. This isn’t just about having the right answer at the right time; it’s about anticipating your opponent’s strategy and disrupting it before it’s fully realized. In conclusion, while Torch Courier can catch players off guard, a well-timed removal or strategic hindrance can effectively extinguish its flame.


BurnMana Recommendations

Torch Courier can be a game-changer in your MTG arsenal, particularly for those who favor a blitzkrieg approach to decking. This nimble card offers the chance to bring an element of surprise to the battlefield, potentially tipping the scales with its instant haste-granting ability. Its presence in your collection can be a strategic move as it is engineered to complement aggressive and combo-driven decks. Ready to give your adversaries a run for their mana? Discover more strategic insights and bolster your MTG expertise with BurnMana. Dive into our treasure trove of resources and ensure your next match is marked by strategic finesse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Torch Courier MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Mystery Booster, 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 Torch Courier and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Torch Courier Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mark Zug.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1192015NormalBlackMark Zug
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10852015NormalBlackMark Zug
32020-09-26The ListPLST GRN-1192015NormalBlackMark Zug
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6142015NormalBlackMark Zug

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Torch Courier has restrictions

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