Belligerent of the Ball MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Abilities | Celebration |
| Released | 2023-09-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | WOE |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 120 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pascal Quidault |
Text of card
Celebration — At the beginning of combat on your turn, if two or more nonland permanents entered the battlefield under your control this turn, target creature you control gets +1/+0 and gains menace until end of turn. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
Cards like Belligerent of the Ball
Belligerent of the Ball is a captivating inclusion in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. When looking at creatures that share its aggressive nature, one can’t help but think of Goblin Guide. While Goblin Guide is known for its ability to quickly deal damage, Belligerent of the Ball introduces a more strategic aspect to combat, posing a challenge to opponents’ blocking decisions.
Comparatively, we have Brimaz, King of Oreskos, which also brings a unique tactical advantage to the battlefield. Brimaz can generate additional creature tokens, thereby, increasing your army’s size with every attack or block. Although Belligerent of the Ball doesn’t produce tokens, it compensates with its potential to induce unfavorable trades for the opponent. Another card worthy of note is Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, which, similarly, impacts combat with its first strike ability and tax effects on noncreature spells, aligning well with Belligerent of the Ball’s disruption theme.
To sum up, Belligerent of the Ball, with its distinctive approach to affecting combat dynamics, finds its place among notable creatures. It’s a card that promises to introduce an element of surprise and strategic depth to MTG decks.
Cards similar to Belligerent of the Ball by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Packs a punch by bringing creatures onto the battlefield or equipping creatures already in play with compelling effects, this provides a notable edge by offering multiple avenues for gaining card presence.
Resource Acceleration: The creature card’s unique abilities can streamline resource management, aiding to quicken the pace of deploying other high-impact cards or activating key abilities at crucial moments.
Instant Speed: This card’s mechanics allow it to intervene with timely precision, disrupting opponent strategies or strengthening your position during their turn, thus maximizing the potential of surprise and flexibility in the heat of battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Belligerent of the Ball comes with a discard stipulation, asking players to pitch another card from their hand when they want to utilize certain abilities. This can be problematic during the late game or when your hand is already stretched thin, potentially setting back your overall strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands a precise combination of mana types, specifically including red. This requirement can be restrictive, making it difficult to incorporate into multicolored or colorless deck builds without a robust mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s abilities, while advantageous, can be found at a high mana value. For decks prioritizing speed and efficiency, there may be alternate cards that achieve similar effects or better synergies for a lower investment, allowing for a quicker tempo in gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Belligerent of the Ball brings a unique flexibility to any MTG deck, being a strong choice for strategies emphasizing combat tricks or those looking to capitalize on its creature type synergies.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks focused on winning through creature interactions, as it may combo with other cards to amplify its impact on the battlefield significantly.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent plays and affect board states, Belligerent of the Ball can hold its own in various MTG meta environments, making it a timely addition to many collections.
How to Beat
Belligerent of the Ball is a unique creature in the MTG realm with abilities that can swing the momentum of the game. When designing your strategy against this card, remember that it thrives in environments where creatures engage in combat frequently. To counteract this, focus on controlling the battlefield. Utilize removal spells or abilities that can bypass its combat triggers, clearing the way to maintain an advantage.
Consider adding efficient removal spells to your deck, cards that can deal with creatures either before they pose a threat or during combat, minimizing the impact Belligerent of the Ball can have. Strategies such as making your creatures indestructible, using counterspells to prevent it from entering the battle, or including enchantments that pacify opponent’s creatures, can all be effective. Control the game’s pace and dictate when and how combat occurs, and Belligerent of the Ball’s influence will be significantly reduced.
The key is to adapt your game plan, working around the strengths of Belligerent of the Ball, and ensuring it can’t disrupt your path to victory. It’s about clever deck building and anticipating this threat before you even sit down at the table. With the right setup, even the most belligerent creatures can be tamed.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Belligerent of the Ball MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Belligerent of the Ball 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 Belligerent of the Ball has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Belligerent of the Ball card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | Celebration abilities only care if two or more nonland permanents entered the battlefield under your control in a turn. They won’t get more powerful if more than two permanents entered the battlefield under your control in a turn. |
| 2023-09-01 | Each celebration ability has a different effect. |
| 2023-09-01 | Others are static abilities that give creatures abilities or power and toughness increases as long as two or more nonland permanents entered the battlefield under your control that turn. |
| 2023-09-01 | Some celebration abilities trigger at specific parts of the turn and check whether two or more nonland permanents entered the battlefield under your control already in that turn. |
| 2023-09-01 | The permanents that entered the battlefield don’t need to remain on the battlefield or under your control. Celebration abilities are checking for past events, not the current game state. |