Goring Ceratops MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Double strike
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Goring Ceratops can double your other creatures’ damage, potentially deciding the game’s outcome.
  2. Despite a seven-mana cost, its ability to give double strike is a fearsome tactical asset.
  3. Removal before an attack or using counterspells are effective strategies against Goring Ceratops.

Text of card

Double strike Whenever Goring Ceratops attacks, other creatures you control gain double strike until end of turn.

"Follow her footsteps and she will show you the way." —Itzama the Crested


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goring Ceratops offers a unique form of card advantage by potentially doubling the damage output of your other creatures. When it attacks, it grants them all double strike until end of turn. This not only potentially doubles your damage for the turn but also can turn the tide of a game, forcing your opponent to deal with multiple threats at once.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, Goring Ceratops encourages a board state that can overwhelm opponents quickly. A well-timed attack with this dinosaur can result in less need for additional resources as it can accelerate the game towards a win.

Instant Speed: Although Goring Ceratops itself does not have instant speed, its ability to grant double strike to your creatures can be amplified by spells that are. By holding mana open for instant speed tricks or removal, you can ensure a safe attack for your beefed-up team and surprise opponents who may not expect the sudden onslaught of double striking creatures.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though the Goring Ceratops doesn’t directly demand a card to be discarded, it can indirectly lead to hand depletion. This is due to the fact that its high mana requirements necessitate extensive resource management, often forcing players to use card draw spells or abilities just to hit their land drops, which can deplete their hand quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: Goring Ceratops comes with a challenging mana cost that is specifically heavy on white mana. This could limit deck-building options and synergies since it requires a strong commitment to white mana sources to be played on curve, potentially restricting its inclusion to mono-white or heavy-white decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a seven-mana cost for a 3/3 creature, Goring Ceratops can be a tough play, especially when considering that other creatures in the same mana range may offer immediate board impact or protection against removal. This cost constrains its playability, particularly in faster formats where a lower casting cost is critical for tempo.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goring Ceratops offers a dynamic edge in various deck builds, bringing a powerful impact to late-game strategies with its double strike ability that can change the course of the game when played at the right moment.

Combo Potential: Its ability to grant double strike to other creatures during an attack can be combined with numerous card effects that generate additional combat phases or beef up your creatures, thereby multiplying the damage potential in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Goring Ceratops can serve as a game-changing inclusion. Being able to provide an aggressive offensive boost, it aligns well with strategies that focus on overwhelming the opponent with powerful attacks.


How to beat Goring Ceratops

Goring Ceratops is a formidable presence on any battlefield with its ability to grant double strike to other creatures when it attacks. To effectively counter this seven-mana dino, timing is key. You’ll need to remove it before it can declare an attack and activate its game-altering ability. Control decks excel in this regard, with spells like Murder or Fatal Push offering a swift end to the prehistoric threat. Alternatively, countering the Ceratops upon casting with a spell like Essence Scatter will prevent it from ever setting foot on the field.

Utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God or Doomskar is another strategic approach, as these can clear out Goring Ceratops along with any other creatures that might amplify its threat level. Engaging in combat isn’t recommended unless your creatures are expendable or you have combat tricks up your sleeve, as the Ceratops packs a heavy punch. In essence, your best chance lies in preventing its attack or using your removal suite strategically to ensure this dino’s reign is as short-lived as its ancient ancestors.


BurnMana Recommendations

With every card like Goring Ceratops, MTG players have the opportunity to turn the game in their favor. This particular dinosaur can be a game-changer in the right deck, transforming any standard attack into a formidable offense. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses, as outlined in our discussion, is key to leveraging its full potential. If you’re eager to maximize your gameplay and refine your deck-building skills with powerful cards such as Goring Ceratops, our detailed insights can guide you. Dive deeper into MTG strategies and discover how to bring out the best in your deck. Embark on your quest for MTG mastery with us.


Cards like Goring Ceratops

When discussing the high-impact creatures of Magic: The Gathering, Goring Ceratops stands out for its ability to grant double strike to other creatures you control when it attacks. This ability shares a strategic edge with cards like True Conviction, giving a broader reach in terms of augmenting your battlefield presence. Though True Conviction is an enchantment that offers a permanent effect, it does require a higher mana investment and doesn’t impact the board immediately.

Another notable comparison is to Avatar of the Resolute. While this card doesn’t offer the double strike bonus, it brings other perks to the table, like reach and counters based on your creatures with a +1/+1. With a lower casting cost, it provides swift board presence. Acknowledging Rage Reflection, we see another parallel, as it also confers double strike to your creatures yet at a steady six mana sorcery speed. This trait positions it slightly slower compared to the din of Goring Ceratops’ entry.

Each of these cards brings a unique blend of abilities, but Goring Ceratops is notable for its immediate tactical advantage upon attack. It thrives in aggressive deck builds where maximize combat potential is essential, thus carving a distinct niche within the Magic: The Gathering landscape.

True Conviction - MTG Card versions
Avatar of the Resolute - MTG Card versions
Rage Reflection - MTG Card versions
True Conviction - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Avatar of the Resolute - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Rage Reflection - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Cards similar to Goring Ceratops by color, type and mana cost

Elder Land Wurm - MTG Card versions
Seraph - MTG Card versions
Archangel - MTG Card versions
Ancestor's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Serra Avatar - MTG Card versions
Drogskol Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dragon - MTG Card versions
Soul of Eternity - MTG Card versions
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - MTG Card versions
Resolute Archangel - MTG Card versions
Crowd Favorites - MTG Card versions
Kami of the Honored Dead - MTG Card versions
Luminous Angel - MTG Card versions
Angel of Retribution - MTG Card versions
Ghosts of the Innocent - MTG Card versions
Angel of Glory's Rise - MTG Card versions
Windbrisk Raptor - MTG Card versions
Pale Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Yoked Plowbeast - MTG Card versions
Vengeful Archon - MTG Card versions
Elder Land Wurm - Renaissance (REN)
Seraph - Masters Edition (ME1)
Archangel - Starter 1999 (S99)
Ancestor's Chosen - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Serra Avatar - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Drogskol Cavalry - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Eternal Dragon - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Soul of Eternity - Commander Legends (CMR)
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Resolute Archangel - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Crowd Favorites - Onslaught (ONS)
Kami of the Honored Dead - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Luminous Angel - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Angel of Retribution - Battlebond (BBD)
Ghosts of the Innocent - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Angel of Glory's Rise - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Windbrisk Raptor - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Pale Wayfarer - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Yoked Plowbeast - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Vengeful Archon - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goring Ceratops MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan Promos and Ixalan, 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 Goring Ceratops and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goring Ceratops Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 13s2015normalblackZezhou Chen
22017-09-29IxalanXLN 132015normalblackZezhou Chen
32020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 82015normalblackZezhou Chen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goring Ceratops has restrictions

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

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