Ogre Marauder MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Ogre Warrior
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	75
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Rex

Key Takeaways

Ogre Marauder’s ability can pressure opponents, subtly shifting card advantage in your favor.
While not directly affecting resources, its battlefield presence can indirectly lead to advantages.
Its ability sets the stage for strategic instant-speed spell plays, catching opponents off-guard.

Text of card

Whenever Ogre Marauder attacks, it can't be blocked this turn unless defending player sacrifices a creature.

Once freed, the oni demanded more and more sacrifices to appease them. The ogres happily obliged.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Ogre Marauder doesn’t directly contribute to drawing cards, it strategically forces your opponent to sacrifice creatures if they block it, potentially tipping the card advantage in your favor over time.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, the Ogre Marauder’s demanding presence on the battlefield can indirectly lead to a resource advantage by depleting your opponent’s defenses and paving the way for more aggressive plays.

Instant Speed: Ogre Marauder might not interact at instant speed itself, but its threat enables you to play other instant-speed spells more effectively. Your opponents might be less inclined to commit resources during their turn to avoid Ogre Marauder’s relentless attack, leaving them vulnerable to your instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the gameplay strategy involving Ogre Marauder, players often face the dilemma of discarding cards. This could be a sizable setback when your hand is already dwindling, and such a requirement can make the difference between maintaining control and falling behind.

Specific Mana Cost: Ogre Marauder requires a precise combination of black and red mana to be cast. This specificity restricts deck-building flexibility, making it less versatile for players not running those exact colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For some players, the mana investment needed to bring Ogre Marauder into play is a bit steep. Similar creatures boast lower costs or offer additional abilities or stats, which could be more attractive depending on the deck archetype you’re playing.

Reasons to Include Ogre Marauder in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Marauder boasts a unique ability that allows it to bypass creatures that can block, as long as it’s the only attacker. This makes it a suitable addition for aggressive strategies that aim to apply pressure on the opponent early in the game.

Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with cards that encourage singular attacks or enhance combat damage, making it a key component in decks designed around such tactics. Its combo potential is noteworthy for those looking to exploit particular attack phases.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where defenders and intricate blocking schemes prevail, Ogre Marauder stands out for its ability to circumvent those common plays. It can perform exceptionally well where traditional combat strategies are dominant, asserting its relevance in the evolving MTG meta.

How to beat

Ogre Marauder from Magic: The Gathering poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to negate being blocked by single creatures. This attribute demands strategic planning from its opponents. One effective method to overcome the Ogre Marauder is through the use of multiple creatures when blocking it, rendering its ability null and making it vulnerable to elimination. Utilizing spells that remove creatures directly, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can bypass Marauder’s ability and swiftly deal with the threat it presents.

Another tactic revolves around leveraging instant-speed spells which can shift the tide of battle unexpectedly. By surprising an opponent with a kill spell or combat trick during the attack phase, you can ensure that Ogre Marauder’s journey is cut short. Moreover, keeping an eye on your removal resources and strategically deploying them can make all the difference between being overrun by the Marauder or maintaining control over the game.

Tackling Ogre Marauder effectively requires careful decision-making and the willingness to sacrifice certain resources for greater strategic gain, guaranteeing that this formidable creature does not dominate the skirmish.

Cards like Ogre Marauder

Ogre Marauder holds a distinctive niche in the MTG universe as it captures the volatile essence of red and black gameplay. It’s akin to cards like Ogre Recluse, which also carries the ruthlessness of the ogre tribe but with a different approach. Ogre Recluse forces a commitment to single-spell turns, while Ogre Marauder provides a tactical advantage, allowing passage as long as creatures are sacrificed. This sacrificial mechanic echoes in cards like Avatar of Woe, though the latter is more about controlling the board rather than aggressive play.

Exploring further, Gatekeeper of Malakir presents a similar demand for creature sacrifice as Ogre Marauder but with an immediate effect upon entering the battlefield rather than an ongoing option. Additionally, Gatekeeper of Malakir’s kicker cost allows for a targeted sacrifice, something that Ogre Marauder lacks the precision to do. We also see comparison with cards like Royal Assassin, which provides creature removal but requires the target to be tapped, a restriction not present in Ogre Marauder’s strategy.

In closing, while Ogre Marauder may not stand out for raw power or control, it offers a strategic angle for players who enjoy forcing opponents into difficult decisions, akin to other MTG cards that capitalize on tactical sacrifices for potential game advantage.

Gatekeeper of Malakir - MTG Card versions

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

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Marauder MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Marauder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ogre Marauder 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 Ogre Marauder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2005-02-01	Attacking with Ogre Marauder a second time would cause a second trigger. If no creature was previously sacrificed, the Marauder already can’t be blocked. Sacrificing a creature for the second trigger will not nullify the first.
2005-02-01	Ogre Marauder’s ability requires the defending player to sacrifice a creature as the ability resolves, or Ogre Marauder can’t be blocked for the rest of the turn.