Sure, it's a bumpy ride, but it beats walking. Have you seen an Imp's legs?
Update history[]
Update 1.2.11[]
Set change: Basic → Premium
▼ Health change: 5 → 3
Update 1.14.13[]
Rarity change: Uncommon → Rare
Update 1.60.79[]
▲ Health change: 3 → 4
Strategies[]
With[]
With low stats and a very poor ability, Kangaroo Rider isn't recommended for use in any decks. With 4/4 stats for 4 brains, it can be easily killed by 4,3 or even 2 sun Plants, effectively wasting Brains that could have been spent with cards with better stats or abilities.
While its Bounce effect seems like a strong upside, remember that it removes its stats from the field and must be replayed later for another 4 Brains to give value. Its ability also won't activate if the Zombie dies, which will often happen due to its low health compared to other cards of the same cost. It is generally a downside, as seen with Secret Agent, although you cannot even choose whether to bounce this or not.
While Kangaroo's self-bounce and pet synergization may seem strong in a pet deck, it is simply too slow for pets aggressive gameplan. While it can activate Zookeeper or Cat Lady multiple times by Bouncing itself, this combo only comes out 4 and higher and heavily relies on your opponent playing 1 or 2 strength plants to Bounce Kangaroo Rider with. Instead, try using cheaper Pet cards such as Fraidy Cat or Dog Walker to activate Zookeeper and Cat Lady multiple times in a turn while also expanding your board. If you want a bouncing pet, Zombie Yeti is a better option.
Kangaroo Rider also has the Imp tribe, allowing for synergization with Imp synergization cards such as Toxic Waste Imp and Imp Commander. Unfortunately, neither of these synergizations are very good, as its decent strength lets it kill most Plants already without the need of Deadly, and its low health and Bounce ability lets it be quickly dispatched from the field before it can go face and activate Imp Commander's ability. Instead, try to play multiple cheaper Imps to fill the board even faster and get more value from these cards abilities.
It is also extremely unwise to ever buff Kangaroo Rider, as it will be Bounced upon taking damage and lose the buff. An even worse idea is to give Kangaroo Rider Frenzy - even if it does kill a Plant, it will either be bounced or die before the Bonus Attack can take place. You can, however, play environments to boost it, as they stay up until they are overriden and therefore can repeatedly buff the zombie. Still, cards like Area 22 would have better dedicated option.
Against[]
Due to its ability, you need to do at least 4 damage in one attack to destroy it. There are 3 options you can take: You can destroy it with something like Split Pea, or Haunted Pumpking, or you can play a cheap, unimportant in front like Puff-Shroom,Shroom for Two or Grow-Shroom to bounce the Kangaroo Rider and make the zombies lose 4. You can also just ignore it, while 4 damage isn't something to ignore, there is a good chance you can do more damage than that, by using the fact they have no brains left to safely play an otherwise risky move, like a glass cannon like Magnifying Grass or an Anti-Hero fighter like Wild Berry or Poison Ivy, or develop a threatening play like Bananasaurus Rex, Pair Pearadise or Twin Sunflower.
If you can't destroy it, you can choose to work its ability to your favor by Bouncing it back before it can do damage to your plants, resulting in your opponent wasting 4 brains. Sour Grapes and Banana Bomb are good plants to use in that situation. If you are a Smarty hero, you can severely penalize your opponent for playing it by having Jelly Bean on the field once it gets Bounced, and if you have Lightning Reed, you can bounce it before it will even attack. Galacta-Cactus and Hot Lava can do that, too.
Gallery[]
Statistics (1.60.79)
Card (1.60.79)
Kangaroo Rider's card image
HD Kangaroo Rider
Kangaroo Rider's textures
Old[]
Kangaroo Rider's statistics before update 1.2.11
Kangaroo Rider's statistics before update 1.14.13
Kangaroo Rider's statistics (pre 1.60.79)
Kangaroo Rider's card before update 1.2.11
Kangaroo Rider's card before update 1.14.13
Kangaroo Rider's card
Kangaroo Rider's grayed out card
Lawnmower being played on Kangaroo Rider (animated)
Kangaroo Rider's silhouette
The player receiving Kangaroo Rider from a Premium Pack
Beastly class. It costs 4
to play and has 4
/4
.
→ 3
Anti-Hero fighter like Wild Berry or Poison Ivy, or develop a threatening play like Bananasaurus Rex, Pair Pearadise or Twin Sunflower.
Overshoot trait
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Brainy
Crazy
Hearty
Sneaky