Black Oak of Odunos MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Zombie Treefolk
Abilities	Defender
Released	2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set name	Born of the Gods
Set code	BNG
Power	0
Toughness	5
Number	62
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chris Rahn

Key Takeaways

As a defensive tool, Black Oak sustains card advantage by deterring attacks or blocking effectively.
It synergizes with tap-based strategies but requires tapping another creature, which limits resources.
Instant speed ability allows for surprise defense augmentation, disrupting opponents’ actions.

Text of card

Defender , Tap another untapped creature you control: Black Oak of Odunos gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Phenax promised the newly dead souls they would be spared from Erebos. In this, he did not lie.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Black Oak of Odunos may not directly allow you to draw cards, its inherent defensive utility can help maintain board presence. By effectively deterring attacks or blocking formidable creatures, it sustains your card advantage through resilient defense.

Resource Acceleration: Black Oak of Odunos itself does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of producing mana or drawing cards. However, the card synergizes well with strategies that benefit from tapping creatures, potentially unlocking alternative paths to gaining value or advancing your game state.

Instant Speed: Black Oak of Odunos operates seamlessly at instant speed through its activated ability. This feature allows players to react on the fly, bolstering its toughness in response to combat or spells, thus surprising opponents and potentially disrupting their strategy during crucial moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Black Oak of Odunos asks you to tap another untapped creature you control in addition to paying one black mana to activate its ability. This necessity can prove to be a drawback during gameplay as it diminishes your board presence and affects your available resources for defense or other abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost necessitates one black and two other mana, which means it’s tailored for black-inclusive or mono-black decks, potentially limiting its inclusion in multicolor deck builds that might not prioritize or efficiently accommodate the specific mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of three mana, including one black, may be considered quite hefty when evaluating its 0/4 stats and the utility it provides. In the vast landscape of MTG, players often find other creatures or spells that offer more significant impact on the game for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Black Oak of Odunos offers a unique defensive capability that can be slotted into a variety of black-centric decks. Its ability to bolster defense by tapping an untapped creature you control can deter opponents from attacking, making it a strong defensive choice.

Combo Potential: The tap ability of Black Oak of Odunos pairs well with decks that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or utilize tap and untap mechanics. Additionally, its synergy with strategies that involve +1/+1 counters can be leveraged for a stronger board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prominent, Black Oak of Odunos serves as an efficient roadblock. Being able to buff up its toughness on the fly can make it a recurring obstacle for opponents, providing substantial control during matches.

How to beat

The Black Oak of Odunos presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG cards. This enigmatic creature card comes equipped with an ability that allows it to bolster its toughness by tapping another untapped creature you control. This can make the Black Oak a formidable blocker, particularly in decks that are teeming with creatures to spare.

To outmaneuver this living bulwark, you could focus on removal spells that don’t need to deal damage, bypassing its toughness altogether. Cards like Path to Exile or Mortify can dispatch it regardless of how buffed it has become. Another strategy involves using spells that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict, which sidesteps the need to confront the Oak directly. Finally, controlling the battlefield with tap-down effects or spells that can override the Oak’s defensive capabilities can prove effective, ensuring that your opponent’s creatures are not available to be tapped, thereby neutralizing the Oak’s strength-enhancing ability.

Understanding the mechanics at play and having the right counter-measures in your deck can turn the tides against the Black Oak of Odunos. The key lies in preparation and choosing the appropriate tactics to nullify its defensive prowess.

Cards like Black Oak of Odunos

In the strategy-rich universe of MTG, Black Oak of Odunos carves its own niche among defensive creatures. It can be compared to other defensive cards like Wall of Omens that also serves as a barrier to opponents. While Wall of Omens is devoid of the ability to manipulate toughness, it offers a card draw on entry, giving players immediate value. Black Oak of Odunos, with its ability to boost its toughness by tapping another creature, provides a different type of defensive utility, specifically in the way it can deter attackers.

Guard Gomazoa shares similarities with our thematic card, bringing to the table a jellyfish with a strong defensive presence. Just like Black Oak, Gomazoa is excellent at stalling adversaries, boasting a prevent-all-combat-damage ability. However, unlike the flexibility of Black Oak, which can actively modify its toughness, Guard Gomazoa’s strength lies in its static ability to neutralize damage from combat.

Ultimately, each card shines in situations suitable to its inherent abilities. Black Oak of Odunos stands out when there’s a requirement for an adjustable defense. Still, cards like Wall of Omens or Guard Gomazoa might be preferable in decks aimed at card advantage or consistent damage prevention.

Cards similar to Black Oak of Odunos by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Black Oak of Odunos MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Black Oak of Odunos and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Black Oak of Odunos has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Black Oak of Odunos card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.