Ancient Ooze MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Ooze |
| Released | 2003-05-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scourge |
| Set code | SCG |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | * |
| Number | 112 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Erica Gassalasca-Jape |
Text of card
Ancient Ooze's power and toughness are each equal to the total converted mana cost of other creatures you control.
The ooze has always been. The ooze will always be.
Cards like Ancient Ooze
Ancient Ooze carves its own niche in the realm of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. This sizable being measures its strength and toughness by the total converted mana cost of other creatures you control, likening it to cards such as Apocalypse Hydra, which bases its power on the amount of mana spent to cast it. However, unlike the Hydra’s X-cost flexibility, Ancient Ooze has a set mana value, making its size dependant on your board state.
In the same category of creatures that scale with the game, we encounter Crystalline Giant. This creature gains various counters each turn, changing its abilities and potentially its size. While the Giant offers adaptability, the Ooze’s power can consistently increase in creature-heavy decks. Mycoloth also shares thematic similarities, entering the battlefield as a substantial threat that can exponentially grow by devouring other creatures, albeit at the expense of an immediate board presence.
While each card serves a unique role depending on the deck’s strategy, Ancient Ooze stands out in decks packed with high-cost creatures, offering potentially immense power in the right setup, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Ancient Ooze by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ancient Ooze’s uniqueness lies in its potential to become a formidable creature on the board based on the total converted mana cost of other creatures you control. This can directly translate to a significant card advantage, as a single card can command a vast amount of power, balancing the scales even when you’re behind.
Resource Acceleration: In decks specifically crafted to exploit the size of creatures, such as through green’s mana ramping abilities, the Ooze can build momentum rapidly. As mana resources and the presence of large creatures swell, Ancient Ooze becomes not just a threat but also a mirror of the player’s resource acceleration, embodying the strategic progress made throughout the game.
Instant Speed: While Ancient Ooze itself does not operate at instant speed, it encourages a playstyle that makes excellent use of instant-speed spells. By including instants that can flash in additional creatures or enlarge the ones currently on the board, you can significantly alter Ancient Ooze’s power dynamically, potentially surprising an opponent during combat or at the end of their turn.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Ancient Ooze requires a diverse mana base to tap into its full potential, including multiple colors that can complicate your deck’s mana curve and hinder its consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost that may scale based on your board state, this card can be challenging to play, often requiring a significant investment of resources that may not always align with your game strategy.
Discard Requirement: Although this card doesn’t have a discard requirement, its effectiveness is dependent on the presence of other creatures which, if countered or removed, can diminish its impact on the game, potentially leaving you with an underwhelming board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ancient Ooze can be a dynamic addition to creature-centric decks, capable of becoming a formidable threat due to its power and toughness being equal to the total converted mana cost of other creatures you control.
Combo Potential: With its unique ability, this card pairs well with strategies involving high-cost creatures or cloning effects, setting the stage for explosive turns and significant board presence.
Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield gets crowded with creature-based decks, Ancient Ooze can serve as a game-changing card, thriving in environments where establishing and maintaining a dominant board state is crucial.
How to beat
Ancient Ooze’s power and toughness in MTG derive from the combined mana costs of creatures you control, a factor that can quickly escalate. To counter this growth, prioritize removal spells that target any creature, regardless of size. Board wipes, especially those that don’t depend on the creature’s power, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, are effective. You can also use countermagic when Ancient Ooze is cast to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place.
Another approach is reducing the number of creatures your opponent controls, which in turn diminishes Ancient Ooze’s impact. Single-target removals like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can limit the Ooze’s power indirectly by targeting other creatures. Efficient exile effects also work, removing the Ooze from the game and preventing any graveyard recursion strategies. Do not overlook the value of combat tricks and smaller creatures; sometimes a well-timed block and sacrifice can be just as effective at managing an out-of-control Ooze.
Against Ancient Ooze, strategy and knowing when to deploy your spells are as crucial as the spells themselves. Keep your counters and removals for the key moment and maintain pressure to prevent your opponent from amassing a creature-heavy board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ancient Ooze MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Ancient Ooze and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ancient Ooze has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ancient Ooze 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 add up the mana value of all other creatures you control. Remember that tokens and face-down creatures have a cost of zero. |