Barbed Shocker MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 144
2014-06-06 - Number 136
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Trample, haste Whenever Barbed Shocker deals damage to a player, that player discards all the cards in his or her hand, then draws that many cards.
Fervid shamans willingly submit to shockers in hopes of glimpsing the fortunes of the future.
Cards like Barbed Shocker
Barbed Shocker delivers a unique twist to creature cards with trample in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with creatures like Raging Goblin in terms of sheer surprise but exceeds in its ability to disrupt the opponent’s hand by compelling them to discard their entire hand and draw that many cards upon inflicting combat damage. This trait isn’t present in most other creature cards, setting Barbed Shocker apart as a formidable tool for hand disruption within red decks.
Looking to other counterparts, like Incendiary Command, we see versatility. While Incendiary Command provides options, including the act of forcing card discard, Barbed Shocker specializes in this niche, applying the pressure with every successful attack. The Shocker succeeds in comparison by being a repeatable source of this effect, compared to the one-off commands. Additionally, the card Chandra’s Pyrohelix reveals direct damage potential, but lacks the powerful utility of reshaping both players’ hands that Barbed Shocker possesses.
Ultimately, when reviewing creature cards that can trample and cause hand disruption, Barbed Shocker remains an intriguing option. Its direct combat damage that leads to an immediate reshuffle of an opponent’s carefully curated hand can be a game-changer, rewarding strategic aggression and timing in gameplay.
Cards similar to Barbed Shocker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the Barbed Shocker, each time it deals combat damage to a player, that player discards their entire hand and then draws that many cards. This can be a significant advantage as it may force your opponent to discard valuable cards while you maintain pressure.
Resource Acceleration: The disruption caused by the Barbed Shocker can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. As your opponent scrambles to rebuild their hand, their planned strategies can get delayed, giving you the upper hand to develop your board and resources unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Whilst the Barbed Shocker itself isn’t an instant, its impact on the game can be as sudden as one. Upon connecting with an opponent, it instantly reshuffles their hand, a form of disruption that can be as potent as many instant speed interactions, especially when timed right after an opponent has drawn a substantial number of cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Barbed Shocker compels the player it damages to discard their entire hand and then draw that many cards. While this effect can disrupt opponents, it may inadvertently aid them by refreshing a weak hand, ultimately proving detrimental to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With its exclusive red mana cost, Barbed Shocker demands a devoted red mana base. This can restrict deck-building options, especially for players seeking to include it in multicolored strategies without reliable mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, this creature’s impact on the game may not align with its cost, especially when compared to other four-mana creatures or spells that might provide an immediate and potentially more substantial effect on the board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Barbed Shocker shines in various deck types that thrive on forcing opponents to discard and draw cards, thereby adding a layer of disruption and unpredictability to the game.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that capitalize on your opponents drawing cards, such as punishing them with damage or mill effects, or benefiting from their discard through graveyard synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Barbed Shocker can be particularly effective in metas where players hold large hands, making it a sleeper hit in commander and casual formats where drawing cards is commonplace.
How to Overcome Barbed Shocker
Barbed Shocker presents a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to cause a player to discard their entire hand and draw that many cards upon dealing combat damage. To effectively navigate around this aggressive creature, consider employing creatures with reach or flying to block it without risking hand disruption. Similarly, instant-speed removal spells can be key, allowing you to deal with it before it connects.
Utilizing creatures with higher toughness values can also deter attacks from Barbed Shocker, as it possesses only 2 toughness itself. Conversely, including cards that capitalize on an opponent’s large hand size or that benefit from discarding, such as madness and graveyard-focused strategies, can turn Barbed Shocker’s ability into an advantage for you.
To summarize, while the Barbed Shocker can apply pressure through its unique ability to refill an opponent’s hand, strategic blocking, timely removal, and deck adjustments can effectively counteract this strategy and maintain control over the course of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barbed Shocker MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Conspiracy, 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 Barbed Shocker 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
Printings
The Barbed Shocker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by Tony Szczudlo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 144 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 136 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barbed Shocker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barbed Shocker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-09-25 | The number of cards the player draws is equal to the number of cards they discarded, not the amount of damage dealt by Barbed Shocker. |