Blood Ogre MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Ogre Warrior
Abilities Bloodthirst,First strike
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Blood Ogre deters attacks, potentially offering indirect card advantage over your opponent.
  2. Efficiency rises with Bloodthirst, turning Blood Ogre into a larger threat for the same cost.
  3. Playing it post-combat, it pairs well with instants, adding strategic depth to the game.

Text of card

Bloodthirst 1 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.) First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Blood Ogre itself doesn’t directly grant card advantage, its presence on the board can deter opponents from attacking. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as your cards remain untouched, while you whittle down your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Blood Ogre doesn’t offer resource acceleration in the traditional sense; however, its Bloodthirst ability allows you to get a larger creature for the same mana cost should an opponent have been dealt damage that turn. This creates a more efficient use of the resources you’ve already invested.

Instant Speed: Blood Ogre is a creature and therefore doesn’t have instant speed, but it’s a crucial part of strategies where creatures are cast strategically during the second main phase. This allows players to keep mana open for actual instant speed interactions during the combat phase and still deploy a threatening presence if the conditions for Bloodthirst are met.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players may find Blood Ogre demanding as the card doesn’t enter the battlefield with its renowned bloodthirst ability unless an opponent was dealt damage this turn. This requirement could lead to missed opportunities or forced attack strategies to ensure its activation.

Specific Mana Cost: Blood Ogre’s casting cost includes a combination of one red and two generic mana, making it an exclusive fit for decks that can reliably generate red mana, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck constructions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana may be steep for a 2/2 creature. Given the current competitive landscape, there are creatures with similar mana costs that provide immediate impact or have additional abilities that might present better value to players seeking to optimize their deck’s performance.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood Ogre is a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on the bloodthirst mechanic or that require solid early to mid-game presence. It can easily slide into red-based aggressive decks or larger builds that rely on creature synergy.

Combo Potential: With bloodthirst, Blood Ogre becomes more than just a creature; it’s a potential powerhouse that incentivizes damage-based combos. Pair it with cards that enable early damage to the opponent to ensure Blood Ogre enters the battlefield as a formidable threat.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat is key and creature-focused strategies are prominent, Blood Ogre shines as a cost-effective creature that can quickly escalate in power, making it a relevant choice for those looking to fortify their battlefield position within this gameplay dynamic.


How to beat Blood Ogre

Blood Ogre enters the fray as a formidable common creature within Magic the Gathering. Known for its Bloodthirst ability, which increases its power when an opponent has been dealt damage on the same turn, this creature can quickly become a threat on the battlefield. However, players have a variety of strategies to mitigate the impact of Blood Ogre in a game. For starters, preventing damage to oneself during the turn before Blood Ogre is played can keep its Bloodthirst ability from triggering.

Control decks have an assortment of removal spells at their disposal. Efficient spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Ogre before its enhanced power and toughness become a problem. Alternatively, when faced with an already buffed Blood Ogre, trading up with creatures that have deathtouch, or utilizing spells that bypass toughness, like a well-timed Shock, can level the playing field. In essence, maintaining control and being prepared with removal options are your best bets against the might of Blood Ogre.

Overall, while Blood Ogre can pose a serious early to mid-game threat if left unchecked, understanding its mechanics and having an answer ready can neutralize the Ogre, ensuring it doesn’t overrun your game plan.


Understanding the Blood Ogre

Blood Ogre is a distinct creature card that offers solid value in the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. Standing out with its formidable power and the easily-triggered bloodthirst ability, it is a card that red deck players appreciate for its aggressive nature and its capability to become a significant threat swiftly. When comparing it to other creatures within the 3-mana spot, the Ogre’s presence is felt if you’ve managed to damage your opponent this turn, pumping its stats to become a formidable 3/3 with first strike.

Cards like Blood Ogre

When considering creatures similar to Blood Ogre, the comparison often leads us to Gorehorn Minotaurs, another creature benefiting from the bloodthirst ability. Although Gorehorn Minotaurs require one additional mana, they can potentially grow even larger, reaching a possible 5/5 on the field. Both are part of red’s aggressive strategy, yet each has its place depending on the deck’s curve and the required mana efficiency.

Caterwauling Boggart can also be considered alongside Blood Ogre due to the shared red color and its potential to alter combat dynamics, though the Boggart leans into goblin synergies instead. As for Tormented Hero, while not red, it performs similarly by providing a strong early play that, under the right conditions, quickly escalates in power due to its heroic ability, not unlike the bloodthirst mechanic.

In summary, while numerous creatures could vie for the spot Blood Ogre occupies, it remains a well-valued option for players looking to capitalize on early damage and maintain pressure on the battlefield.

Gorehorn Minotaurs - MTG Card versions
Caterwauling Boggart - MTG Card versions
Tormented Hero - MTG Card versions
Gorehorn Minotaurs - Magic 2012 (M12)
Caterwauling Boggart - Lorwyn (LRW)
Tormented Hero - Theros (THS)

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood Ogre MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Blood Ogre and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blood Ogre Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1222003normalblackChristopher Moeller
22013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 492003normalblackChristopher Moeller
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1062015normalblackChristopher Moeller
42017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 412015normalblackChristopher Moeller
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8612015normalblackChristopher Moeller
62020-09-26The ListPLST E01-412015normalblackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Ogre has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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