How Haste Shapes Ruby, Daring Tracker's Storytelling

In TCG ·

Ruby, Daring Tracker by Ekaterina Burmak from Foundations, showcasing urgent, fiery resolve

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Haste as Narrative Engine

In the early passages of Ruby, Daring Tracker, haste isn't just a formal keyword; it's a storytelling choice. The moment Ruby enters the battlefield, she bursts forward with a kinetic urgency that mirrors the gnawing, relentless drive of a character who would rather sprint into danger than wait for the perfect moment. This is not a card that reflects patient planning so much as a character study in impulsive momentum 🧙‍♂️. Haste lets Ruby attack immediately, a dramaturgical move that sells the idea of a protagonist who acts before the plan fully forms—a fascinating storytelling engine in a two-mana, red-green shell.

“Neither the sharpest thorns nor the foulest beasts would stop her from finding her brother.”

That flavor text anchors Ruby’s drive, turning haste from a mechanical line into a scene: Ruby darts into the fray, guided not by certainty but by the need to reach her kin. The haste keyword is the spark that makes this sense of urgency palpable on the board. It’s not just about speed; it’s about a narrative tempo—the way the story shifts when a character who acts first is suddenly granted an immediate window to strike. In Ruby’s case, haste creates a tempo that invites explosive moments when you can leverage a partner 4-power creature to unlock a temporary power boost (+2/+2) on Ruby itself, ensuring the chase continues with ferocity 🔥.

Design Intent: Cheating the Timeline with Lethal Tempo

Ruby’s abilities are a neat study in how design can translate story into game tempo. The card’s stats—a 1/2 body for two mana, two-color identity (R/G), and uncommon rarity—signal a midrange but aggressive plan. The real storytelling payoff comes from the on-attack trigger: whenever Ruby attacks while you control a creature with power 4 or greater, Ruby gets +2/+2 until end of turn. This creates a dynamic where your offensive plan is anchored in tempo and synergy. You’re not simply throwing a tiny attacker at your opponent; you’re weaving a narrative where Ruby roars forward in tandem with bigger threats, the duo turning small moments into dramatic swings 💎⚔️.

Strategically, the card asks you to think about what kind of partner creature you’re playing with. Since Ruby’s own body isn’t the heavy lifter, you want a larger creature on the battlefield to unlock the attack-triggered boost. The result is a two-card engine that can snowball quickly: you swing with Ruby while a 4+ power creature pins the ground, Ruby pumps up, and the board pressure intensifies. It’s a storytelling arc of rising tempo, where one character’s dash sets up a crescendo for a second, more imposing presence to hurt your foe on the same turn. The mana-adding tap ability {T}: Add {R} or {G} provides a useful push of color fixing and ramp, enabling further explosive plays in Gruul-tinged lists 🧙‍♂️🎲.

Art, Flavor, and the Craft of Ruby

Ekaterina Burmak’s illustration captures Ruby’s audacious spirit with bold color and kinetic motion. The Foundational Foundations set frame offers a crisp, clean aesthetic that complements Ruby’s spicy red-green mischief. That synergy between art and mechanics makes a card that’s not only practical in a duel but a joy to collect because it embodies the moment-to-moment storytelling that MTG fans adore. The uncommon rarity keeps the card within reach for players who want to experiment with fast ramp and aggressive combat, while foil versions offer a glossy reminder of Ruby’s emotional energy and danger-filled chase 🔥🎨.

Deckbuilding: Ruby as a Catalyst for Aggressive Tempo

If you’re building around Ruby, you’re likely piloting a strategy that wants to threaten early and often. Consider partner creatures or support spells that protect or pump your fast threats, and look for ways to keep pressure on across each turn. Your plan might involve:

  • Assembling a robust removal suite to clear blockers so Ruby can attack with minimal resistance.
  • Pairing Ruby with a dependable 4-power beater—something that can reliably meet the requirement to trigger the +2/+2 boost when you attack.
  • Using the mana-splash from Ruby’s tap ability to fuel additional plays, whether it’s recurring damage spells or extra pressure on the board.
  • Keeping the game dynamic by leveraging haste to force unexpected trades and push opponents into awkward decisions while you race toward victory 🔥.

In Commander and other multi-player formats, Ruby shines as a multi-turn threat that can threaten to end games abruptly when the board is tilted just right. In a two-player setting, the double-red or red-green ramp can accelerate you into a sequence where Ruby’s attack trigger becomes a recurring escalation, letting you take advantage of your opponent’s momentary overextensions. This is where the storytelling payoff lands: Ruby isn’t a one-note card; she’s a catalyst for a narrative where tempo, aggression, and timely power plays define the outcome ⚔️.

Lore, Art, and Collectibility

The flavor storytelling around Ruby sits comfortably within the Foundations set’s core-forward ethos. The character’s determination to find a lost brother reads as a universal quest—family, loyalty, and the willingness to sprint into danger for the sake of loved ones. The idea that a single, impulsive decision—attack now, ask questions later—can drive a story forward mirrors how players often approach a game of MTG: seize the moment, push for more information, and let the board reveal the path to victory. Ruby’s lore and design capture a vibrant, kinetic moment that both veterans and new players can relish 🧙‍♂️💎.

Collectors will appreciate the card’s foil option and the glossy finish that Burmak’s art deserves. The rarity and reprint status keep Ruby accessible, while the evolving meta continues to find homes for two-color, fast-pace creatures that prize tempo above raw card advantage. The card’s place in modern sets, combined with its Foundations heritage, makes Ruby a memorable piece for deck-building conversations, casual play nights, and the narratives we all tell around the kitchen table after a close win or a dramatic comeback 🎲.

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