Rakavolver is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Kickerand/or
(You may pay an additional
Complete guide
Rakavolver is a versatile creature from the Volver cycle that adapts its power and abilities based on your mana investment. By paying its optional kicker costs, you can transform a simple 2/2 into a formidable flying threat with lifelink. This card rewards players for managing their colors effectively in the mid-to-late game.
What It Does
Rakavolver is a 2/2 creature for three mana, but it features two distinct kicker costs: one White and one Blue. You can choose to pay neither, one, or both. Depending on which costs were paid, the creature enters the battlefield with permanent +1/+1 counters and keyword abilities that change its base utility.
How Kicker Resolves
When you cast Rakavolver, you declare which kicker costs you are paying. If the White kicker was paid, it enters with two +1/+1 counters and a triggered ability that gains you life equal to the damage it deals. If the Blue kicker was paid, it enters with one +1/+1 counter and the flying keyword. If both were paid, it enters as a 5/5 with both lifelink-style healing and evasion.
Common Mistakes
A common point of confusion involves 'entering the battlefield' effects. If you use an effect to put Rakavolver directly into play without casting it, you cannot pay the kicker costs, and it will simply be a 2/2. Additionally, if you copy Rakavolver while it is a permanent on the battlefield, the copy will not be 'kicked' even if the original was; however, a copy of the spell while it is still on the stack will retain the kicked status.
When to Play It
Rakavolver is best utilized in three-color decks that can reliably produce White and Blue mana. In the early game, it can serve as a simple blocker, but it is far more effective as a 5/5 flyer that stabilizes your life total. It is particularly effective against aggressive decks where the lifegain and high toughness can shut down their offense.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumStep 1: Cast Solemn Simulacrum and search for a Plains or Island to ensure you have the correct colors for Rakavolver's kicker. Step 2: Once you have your colors ready, cast Rakavolver paying both the {1}{W} and {U} costs. Rakavolver enters as a 5/5 creature. Step 3: Because you fixed your mana with the Golem earlier, you now have a flying threat that recovers any life lost in the early turns.
Roaming ThroneStep 1: Have Roaming Throne on the battlefield, having chosen 'Volver' as the creature type. Step 2: Cast Rakavolver and pay the {1}{W} kicker. Rakavolver enters the battlefield with its lifegain triggered ability. Step 3: When Rakavolver deals damage, its ability triggers. Because of Roaming Throne, the ability triggers a second time, allowing you to gain double the amount of life for every point of damage dealt.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Rakavolver
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell's kicker cost was paid, the spell is "kicked."
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The kicker ability doesn't let you pay a kicker cost more than once.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If you put a permanent with a kicker ability onto the battlefield without casting it, you can't kick it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If you copy a kicked spell on the stack, the copy is also kicked. If the copied spell is a permanent spell, the token the copy of that spell becomes when it enters is also kicked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If a card or token enters as a copy of a permanent, the new permanent isn't kicked, even if the original was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
To determine a spell's total cost, start with the mana cost (or an alternative cost if another card's effect allows you to pay one instead), add any cost increases (such as kicker), then apply any cost reductions. The spell's mana value remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Rakavolver
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