The Best MTG Red Tutors

In the realm of red spells, the role of tutors is pivotal, enabling players to access key cards at crucial moments. Today, we delve into the dynamic landscape of red tutors, uncovering the gems that stand out as the very best in the world of MTG.

 

What Are Red Tutors in MTG?

In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a "tutor" refers to a card that allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it into their hand or directly onto the battlefield.
Tutors are valuable tools in deck-building, providing consistency by ensuring you can access key cards when needed. While the term "tutor" is often associated with black cards, which historically have had many of these effects, red also has its own version of tutors. Red tutors in MTG are cards in the red color that allow players to search for specific cards in their deck. Unlike black tutors, which often have more unconditional and broad searches, red tutors typically come with restrictions or additional costs, reflecting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the color red.
Red tutors are commonly used to find powerful burn spells, aggressive creatures, or other impactful cards that fit the red color's theme of direct damage and aggression.
Whether it's searching for a game-ending burn spell, a hasty creature to apply pressure, or a disruptive card to throw off the opponent's strategy, red tutors add an element of flexibility and adaptability to red decks in MTG.

How Do Red Tutors Work in MTG?

It's important to note that the effectiveness and versatility of red tutors may vary from card to card. Some red tutors may have limitations on the types of cards they can search for, while others may be more flexible but come with higher costs or risks. Players include red tutors in their decks to increase consistency and access key cards that support their chosen strategy within the red color's aggressive and direct-damage themes.

What Are the Best Red Tutors?

Gamble

1. Versatility: Gamble allows you to search for any card in your deck, providing flexibility in finding key pieces.
2. Efficiency: With a single red mana, Gamble is a cost-effective tutor compared to tutors in other colors.

1. Random Discard: The major drawback is random discard, potentially leading to the loss of a crucial card.
2. No Guaranteed Result: Unlike some other tutors, there's no guarantee that you'll get the card you need since it depends on chance.

• Gamble is often used in decks where the randomness of the discard is less of a concern, or in strategies that can benefit from cards being in the graveyard.
• Combining Gamble with effects that let you draw additional cards can mitigate the randomness of the discard.

Imperial Recruiter

1. Tutoring for Small Creatures: Imperial Recruiter excels at fetching creatures with power 2 or less, providing targeted tutoring for specific creatures.
2. Creature Type: Being a Human Advisor, Imperial Recruiter may synergize with tribal themes and synergies involving creature types.

1. Limited to Power 2 or Less: The tutor is restricted to creatures with power 2 or less, which may limit its effectiveness for fetching larger creatures.
2. Vulnerability: With low power and toughness, Imperial Recruiter is vulnerable to removal spells and combat damage.

• Imperial Recruiter is often included in combo decks where fetching a specific low-power creature can lead to a game-winning combo.
• Consider synergies with creature-based strategies, tribal decks, or decks with powerful creatures that meet the power requirement.

Goblin Matron

1. Goblin Tutoring: Goblin Matron specializes in searching for Goblin cards, making it a key component in Goblin tribal decks.
2. Efficiency: With a relatively low mana cost, Goblin Matron provides cost-effective tutoring for Goblins.

1. Creature Type Restriction: Limited to fetching Goblin cards, which may limit its utility in decks that don't heavily feature Goblins.
2. Vulnerability: As a 1/1 creature, Goblin Matron is susceptible to removal spells and combat damage.

• Goblin Matron is a linchpin in Goblin tribal strategies, fetching key Goblins that contribute to the deck's synergy and aggression.
• Consider combining Goblin Matron with cards that provide additional copies of Goblins or ways to multiply their impact on the battlefield.

Chaos Warp

1. Versatile Removal: Chaos Warp is a versatile removal spell that can target any permanent, regardless of its type or characteristics.
2. Instant Speed: Being an instant, Chaos Warp can be cast at any time, including in response to an opponent's spell or ability.

1. Unpredictable Outcome: The shuffled permanent may be replaced by another permanent, potentially leading to an unexpected or unfavorable result.
2. No Control Over Revealed Card: The top card of the library is revealed, but the player doesn't have control over what that card is.

• Chaos Warp is effective against problematic non-creature permanents, including enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers.
• Use Chaos Warp strategically when you have no other answer to a threatening permanent on the battlefield.

Godo, Bandit Warlord

1. Equipment Tutoring: Godo provides a powerful tutor effect for Equipment cards, putting them directly onto the battlefield.
2. Double Combat Phases: Godo's second ability grants an additional combat phase whenever he attacks for the first time each turn, offering extra opportunities to deal damage.

1. Limited to Equipment: Godo's tutoring is limited to Equipment cards, making him most effective in decks that heavily feature equipment strategies.
2. Vulnerable on Entry: As a 3/3 creature, Godo is susceptible to removal upon entering the battlefield.

• Select impactful Equipment cards that can significantly enhance Godo's combat abilities or provide utility to your strategy.
• Consider using Godo in decks that can generate extra attack phases, as this can lead to powerful turns with multiple combat steps.

Magda, Brazen Outlaw

1. Dwarf Synergy: Boosts the power of other Dwarves you control, providing tribal synergy in Dwarf-themed decks.
2. Artifact Tutoring: Magda offers a repeatable and mana-efficient way to tutor for artifacts with a mana value of 1 or less.

1. Vulnerability: As a 2/1 creature, Magda is vulnerable to removal spells and combat damage.
2. Limited to Low-Cost Artifacts: The tutoring ability is restricted to artifacts with a mana value of 1 or less.

• Build a deck with a focus on Dwarves to maximize the tribal synergy provided by Magda.
• Include powerful low-cost artifacts that can be fetched with Magda's ability, such as mana rocks or utility artifacts.

Moggcatcher

1. Goblin Tutoring: Moggcatcher provides a repeatable and efficient way to tutor for Goblin permanents, contributing to Goblin tribal strategies.
2. Creature Type Synergy: As a Human Mercenary, Moggcatcher may synergize with tribal themes that involve Humans or Mercenaries.

1. Vulnerability: As a 2/2 creature, Moggcatcher is susceptible to removal spells and combat damage.
2. High Activation Cost: The {3} cost to activate Moggcatcher's ability can be relatively high, limiting how frequently it can be used.

• Include a diverse range of impactful Goblin permanents in your deck to make the most of Moggcatcher's tutoring ability.
• Consider ways to generate additional mana or untap Moggcatcher to use its ability multiple times in a turn.

Moggcatcher is a classic card in Goblin tribal decks, providing a consistent way to put powerful Goblins onto the battlefield. While the activation cost is relatively high, the ability to tutor for specific Goblin permanents makes Moggcatcher a valuable tool for assembling combos or establishing a formidable board presence. When building a deck around Moggcatcher, focus on including a mix of Goblins that complement your deck's strategy.

Deathbellow War Cry

Deathbellow War Cry stands out as an incredibly potent card within the context of a comparatively less formidable tribe, making its placement quite fitting in the middle of this ranking. The card's remarkable ability to tutor four creatures is counterbalanced by the fact that minotaurs, the designated tribe, are generally associated with casual Limited-focused gameplay. If the tribal affiliation were swapped for nearly any other common creature type in Magic, the card would undoubtedly become excessively overpowered. Imagine pairing it with Maskwood Nexus, and you'd have a powerful combination allowing you to fetch any creatures of your choice, showcasing the potential for remarkable synergy.

Goblin Engineer

Goblin Engineer functions more akin to a red version of Entomb than a traditional red tutor due to its characteristic of sending the searched card directly to the graveyard. While its scope is limited to fetching artifacts, this unique feature seamlessly facilitates setups for reanimation effects, such as Trash for Treasure or Daretti, Scrap Savant. In fact, Goblin Engineer can operate as a self-contained engine, particularly when employed to swiftly place budget-friendly artifacts into play, showcasing its adaptability and utility within artifact-focused strategies.

Goblin Recruiter

Goblin Recruiter is a staple in Goblin tribal decks, providing unparalleled efficiency in assembling a powerful board of Goblins. Its ability to search for multiple Goblins and arrange them on top of your library adds strategic depth to Goblin-centric strategies. While its vulnerability is a consideration, the potential for explosive plays and game-winning combos makes Goblin Recruiter a crucial component in decks built around the Goblin tribe.

Wrap Up

Nevertheless, for the dedicated mono-red players out there, this collection offers something to enhance your deck strategies.