Ogre Battledriver MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Ogre Warrior
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Instantly increases board presence and pressure with haste-granting ability.
  2. Accelerates damage potential, optimizing the impact of each creature played.
  3. Its presence on the board can dramatically alter game dynamics.

Text of card

Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, that creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn. (It can attack and this turn.)

Ogres are driven by passion, rage, and another ogre standing behind them with a whip.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ogre Battledriver’s ability to give creatures haste allows players to utilize newly summoned creatures instantly, effectively increasing your board presence and putting pressure on your opponent without waiting for summoning sickness to wear off.

Resource Acceleration: By boosting each creature that enters the battlefield with +2/+0, Ogre Battledriver accelerates your damage output, enabling a swift overrun of opponents and optimizing the value of every creature played.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Ogre Battledriver’s effect creates an immediate impact on the board, similar to an instant speed advantage, as it can catch opponents off guard and alter the state of the game as soon as a creature hits the field.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Ogre Battledriver itself does not have a discard requirement, but to leverage its full potential, one may need to deploy additional creatures, which can strain your hand and lead to a disadvantageous position if no card draw support is available.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Ogre Battledriver requires a specific mana alignment with red, possibly limiting its inclusion only within red or red-inclusive multicolor decks, thereby reducing its versatility across various MTG formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered high for its statline, Ogre Battledriver can be a less preferable choice compared to other four-mana cost creatures or spells that could contribute more immediately or consistently to your board state and overall game strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Battledriver enhances any red-based aggressive deck by providing an immediate advantage when creatures come into play. It can be a game-changer in a variety of deck builds, from token strategies to big creature plays, where battle tempo is crucial.

Combo Potential: The power increase and haste Ogre Battledriver grants can be the linchpin in combos that rely on creatures attacking the same turn they are played. It’s a catalyst in decks looking to win through combative synergies or creature-based strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with creature-based strategies, Ogre Battledriver can give you the edge by ramping up your offensive capability faster than your opponents can handle, making it an impactful addition to your lineup against the right field of decks.


How to Beat Ogre Battledriver

Ogre Battledriver is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. This powerful creature accelerates the pace of the game drastically by giving other creatures haste and a bonus to their attack. To counteract this formidable card, players should focus on removal spells that can target Ogre Battledriver directly or apply board control mechanics that inhibit the abilities of all creatures.

Instant speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade can be particularly effective, as they can dispatch the Ogre Battledriver before it has the chance to influence the board or can be used in response to it entering the battlefield. Additionally, sweepers like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, wiping out the Ogre Battledriver along with other potentially buffed creatures.

Establishing a strong defensive position with creatures that have deathtouch or sufficient blocking capabilities can also blunt the impact of hasty, buffed attackers. Remember, Ogre Battledriver is most dangerous in an aggressive deck, so ensuring you can survive the early onslaught to reach your removal or board control solutions is crucial.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves constant learning and adapting, and Ogre Battledriver is a card that can sharpen your offensive gameplay. Its potential to turn the tide by empowering new creatures with haste and additional attack power makes it an essential for red-aggressive strategies. Whether you aim to dominate the battlefield with speed or create unstoppable combinations, incorporating Ogre Battledriver could be key. Navigate the depths of deck building and optimize your playstyle by including this potent force in your collection. Eager to discover more strategic gems and elevate your MTG tactics? Dive into our comprehensive resources for expert guidance and tips.


Cards like Ogre Battledriver

Ogre Battledriver is an impactful force for creature-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering. In terms of sheer table presence, it echoes the abilities of cards like Goblin Chieftain, enhancing the power and providing haste to creatures as they come onto the battlefield. However, the Battledriver offers an even more aggressive advantage by giving a notable +2/+0 to newly summoned creatures, favoring a strategy that floods the battlefield with a barrage of hasty, hard-hitting minions.

Comparably, In the Hall of the Bandit Lord also imparts haste to creatures when they’re played, guaranteeing an immediate impact much like the Battledriver. But, unlike the static presence Ogre Battledriver ensures on the battlefield, the Hall is a land, sacrificing immediate boost in creature power for a more versatile, albeit conditional, usage. Another similar card is Hammer of Purphoros, which grants haste to all creatures. While the Hammer provides a static boost without the power increase, it compensates by offering a creature generation mechanic, creating Golem tokens and thus maintaining a creature presence.

Within the realm of haste-enabling cards, Ogre Battledriver secures a distinctive position. It not only accelerates the pace of play with haste but also amplifies the threat level of each creature, making it a formidable ally in creature swarm strategies.

Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Purphoros - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)
Hammer of Purphoros - Theros (THS)

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

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Keldon Warlord - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Battledriver MTG card by a specific set like Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014 Promos and Magic 2014, 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 Ogre Battledriver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ogre Battledriver Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-01-01 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-01-01Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014 PromosPDP14 22003normalblackMatt Stewart
22013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1482003normalblackGreg Staples
32014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 162015normalblackGreg Staples
42020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 802015normalblackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ogre Battledriver has restrictions

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

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