Menacing Ogre MTG Card


Menacing Ogre’s betting mechanic can yield significant card advantage, offering strategic depth to players. Resource acceleration is notable, making it a formidable creature with potential for early game dominance. Aligning with instant speed play, it complements decks that thrive on unpredictability and surprise elements.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Ogre
Abilities Haste,Trample
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Trample, haste When Menacing Ogre comes into play, each player secretly chooses a number. Then those numbers are revealed. Each player with the highest number loses that much life. If you are one of those players, put two +1/+1 counters on Menacing Ogre.


Cards like Menacing Ogre

Menacing Ogre, a distinct creature in Magic: The Gathering, brings unique interactions to the table, much like other gamble cards such as Risk Factor. Risk Factor piques interest with its opponent’s choice mechanic, although it focuses on potential damage or card draw, unlike Menacing Ogre’s attribute enhancements based on a bidding mini-game. The Ogre presents an immediate physical presence on the battlefield, allowing for a potential high-impact play, whereas Risk Factor provides strategic flexibility over time.

Another comparable card in this vein is Browbeat. It presents a similar choice for opponents – damage or cards – but lacks the immediate creature impact the Ogre provides. However, it stands out due to its more affordable mana cost and the psychological pressure it exerts on an opponent right away. The emphasis on giving your opponent a choice is what links these cards closely, but Menacing Ogre’s creature-type and potential for a massive power boost make it a fascinating choice for players seeking an aggressive edge in their deck.

In evaluating Menacing Ogre against its counterparts, this card indeed holds a unique appeal within Magic: The Gathering for its blend of chance, power, and the potential for game-changing plays.

Risk Factor - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Risk Factor - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Menacing Ogre by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
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Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
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Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The unique betting mechanic of the Menacing Ogre can produce a significant card advantage. If played correctly, you may end up with extra cards in hand, giving you more options and strategies to outplay your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This creature can be a powerhouse in terms of resource acceleration. By boosting its power and toughness through the initial bet, you have the potential to create a substantial threat early in the game, forcing your opponent to respond or be overwhelmed.

Instant Speed: Although Menacing Ogre itself does not have instant speed, it encourages a gameplay style that leaves mana open for instant speed interactions. Being a creature that benefits from surprise and bluffing, it aligns well with decks that operate at instant speed, keeping opponents guessing while you build your board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the less appealing aspects of Menacing Ogre is its reliance on a risk-based mechanic that could force you to discard cards. This can be problematic, especially when card advantage is crucial to maintaining control of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Menacing Ogre demands a fixed combination of mana types—triple red—which can be restrictive. This stipulation hinders the card’s flexibility as it requires a dedicated commitment to red mana in your deck’s mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at three red mana, Menacing Ogre competes with other heavy hitters within the same mana range. For some decks, this cost may not justify the variable outcome, as there are more consistent options available.


Reasons to Include Menacing Ogre in Your Collection

Versatility: Menacing Ogre’s unique Power gamble mechanic can serve different roles whether you’re leading the game or making a brave comeback. It slides well into aggressive decks, ramp decks, and anywhere you’d want an impactful three-mana drop.

Combo Potential: This Ogre’s ability can synergize with strategies focused on high power creatures or those that capitalize on coin flips and uncertainty. It’s also a candidate for shenanigans with doubling effects or cards that manipulate counters.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are often won through clever timing and surprise factor, Menacing Ogre offers just that. It can tip the scales in your favor during a critical turn, making it a card worthy of consideration in dynamic and adaptive decks.


How to Beat

Menacing Ogre is a unique challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering. As a rare red creature, it brings an element of unpredictability that can catch opponents off guard. Upon entering the battlefield, a mini-game of sorts begins, with both players secretly choosing a number. It can inflate its power and toughness based on the number chosen, which can seem overwhelming.

However, despite its potential power, there are effective strategies for overcoming this card. Having removal spells ready in your deck can nullify the Ogre’s impact regardless of the chosen number. Conditional removal that targets creatures with power or toughness above a certain threshold can be particularly effective. Counterspells are another solid approach, dealing with the Ogre before its triggered ability can even occur. If you’re into strategic creature combat, simply chump blocking the Ogre and using spells or abilities that deal damage based on the number of creatures you control could turn the tide. Therefore, while the Menacing Ogre bluffs its way to power, a well-prepared player can still maintain control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Menacing Ogre MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Planechase, 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 Menacing Ogre and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Menacing Ogre Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2191997NormalBlackRon Spencer
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 592003NormalBlackRon Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Menacing Ogre has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Menacing Ogre card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 You have to choose zero or a positive number. It must be an integer number.