Shifting Ceratops MTG Card


Ceratops’ ability to pressure early in the game can set a favorable game tempo. Instant-speed abilities offer adaptability and surprise tactics against opponents. The card demands a strategic mana base and careful hand management in deck construction.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Protection
Power 5
Toughness 4

Text of card

This spell can't be countered. Protection from blue (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, enchanted, or equipped by anything blue.) : Shifting Ceratops gains your choice of reach, trample, or haste until end of turn.


Cards like Shifting Ceratops

Shifting Ceratops stands out in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering due to its unique blend of attributes. Comparable to Carnage Tyrant, which also boasts the intimidating combination of being uncounterable and trample, Shifting Ceratops brings additional versatility with its protection from blue and the ability to gain reach, trample, or haste at a moment’s notice. Unlike the Carnage Tyrant, Shifting Ceratops has the adaptability to be an immediate threat in various board states due to its instant-speed abilities.

Looking to Ripjaw Raptor, we find another dinosaur with a strong presence. Though lacking uncounterability and protection, Ripjaw Raptor offers consistent card draw with its enrage mechanic, rewarding players each time it takes damage. While not as offensive out of the gate as Shifting Ceratops, Ripjaw Raptor serves as a valuable source of card advantage during longer games.

Ultimately, Shifting Ceratops earns its place in a player’s deck with its resilience against blue strategies and flexible combat capabilities. This card shines by providing immediate impact and forcing opponents to find rapid answers, making it a formidable choice for those seeking a dynamic and aggressive creature card in their Magic: The Gathering arsenal.

Carnage Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Carnage Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Shifting Ceratops. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
AbzanAbzan Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
BGBG ModernModern Preliminary 2024-03-12 (1)
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists PioneerBLUE - FRI - 3PM - Chicago Pioneer Cup
Gruul MidrangeGruul Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-Green StompyMono-Green Stompy GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro Modern2 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians
Nykthos RampNykthos Ramp PioneerNykthos RampPioneer Challenge 64 2024-01-28

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shifting Ceratops stands out for its potential to put you ahead in the game by virtue of its sheer presence on the battlefield. Its impact is immediate, commanding attention and often forcing opponents to deal with it, potentially at a loss to their own resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shifting Ceratops itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana, its affordable cost relative to its power level means it can hit the board quickly and start applying pressure early in the game, effectively setting the pace and giving you a foothold on the game’s tempo.

Instant Speed: This dynamic creature boasts the ability to gain haste for a single green mana, enabling it to swing in for damage unexpectedly. Additionally, its protection from blue and the ability to gain reach or trample at instant speed make it a formidable and adaptable threat that can be tailored to the evolving state of the game—perfect for ambushing opponents when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Shifting Ceratops demands an exclusive green mana investment with its casting cost of four green mana. This color-specific requirement can restrict the card’s inclusion to mono-green or two-color decks that heavily favor green, potentially excluding it from a wider variety of multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In today’s fast-paced game environment, the four mana needed to bring Shifting Ceratops into play can be significant. While its stats and abilities justify the cost, there are scenarios where speedier alternatives could be preferred, especially in aggressive decks looking to apply pressure from the get-go.

Discard Requirement: While Shifting Ceratops itself doesn’t have a discard requirement, decks that incorporate it may need to carefully manage their hand to ensure they don’t fall behind by having too many high-cost cards. This balance is crucial to avoid potential card disadvantage against opponents employing more resource-efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include Shifting Ceratops in Your Collection

Versatility: Shifting Ceratops offers flexibility in its resistance to blue, given it can’t be countered and it gains protection from blue. It suits a variety of game plans, whether you need a sturdy blocker or an aggressive attacker.

Combo Potential: This dino’s ability to gain either trample, reach, or haste for one green mana makes it an adaptable piece in numerous combos. It thrives in environments where adapting your tactics each turn is critical.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where blue spells and control decks are prevalent, Shifting Ceratops stands as a resilient threat. Its inherent qualities make it a strong sideboard candidate or even a main deck choice against blue-centric opponents.


How to beat

Shifting Ceratops stands out as a formidable contender on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This green creature is not only resilient to blue spells but also boasts the ability to gain reach, trample, or haste, making it a versatile threat. To triumph over this prehistoric powerhouse, players should consider employing removal spells that aren’t color-specific, such as “Bedevil” or “Ravenous Chupacabra,” which can bypass the Ceratops’s protection from blue.

Additionally, since Shifting Ceratops excels in single combat, using board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can effectively clear it off the board regardless of its choosable abilities. Moreover, in decks without access to removal, combating this creature with an imposing board presence of your own can dilute its impact, allowing you to maintain control of the game. Creatures that outsize or have deathtouch, like “Questing Beast,” can also serve as a reliable countermeasure.

It’s crucial to plan and include versatile answers in your deck to prepare for diverse threats such as Shifting Ceratops in Magic: The Gathering. Keeping your options open and adaptable makes navigating around such formidable opponents more manageable, preserving your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the depths of deckbuilding in MTG can lead to discovering gems like Shifting Ceratops that redefine gameplay. Having witnessed its pros, like swiftness to adapt in combat situations, and cons, including its restrictive mana cost, the importance of balance in your deck composition becomes ever clearer. Reflecting on its strategic edge against blue spells, the intimidation it can exert on the battlefield, and the engaging discussions around conquering this leviathan, Shifting Ceratops is a card ripe with potential. Elevate your MTG experience by incorporating this card’s versatility and resilience into your arsenal. For deeper insights and strategies, enhance your gameplay with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shifting Ceratops MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, 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 Shifting Ceratops and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shifting Ceratops Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 1942015NormalBlackIzzy
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 2582015NormalBlackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shifting Ceratops has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-07-12 A spell or ability that counters spells can still target Shifting Ceratops. When that spell or ability resolves, Shifting Ceratops won't be countered, but any additional effects of that spell or ability will still happen.
2019-07-12 Multiple instances of reach, trample, and/or haste on the same creature are redundant.