Carrion Thrash MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Viashino Warrior |
| Released | 2008-10-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shards of Alara |
| Set code | ALA |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 162 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jaime Jones |
Text of card
When Carrion Thrash is put into a graveyard from play, you may pay . If you do, return another target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
Viashino hunt in gangs called thrashes. Not all thrashes hunt the freshest game.
Cards like Carrion Thrash
Carrion Thrash holds a unique position in the roster of multicolored creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This card, reminiscent of creatures like Sprouting Thrinax, offers players a way to reclaim value after it leaves the battlefield. Where Carrion Thrash provides a voluntary return to hand mechanic for a creature in your graveyard, Sprouting Thrinax spawns a number of Saproling tokens upon its death.
Another creature worth comparing is Woolly Thoctar, a powerhouse in terms of raw stats. Although lacking any death-triggered abilities, Woolly Thoctar makes for an impactful presence with its cost-efficient stats. Then we have Bloodbraid Elf which is not only a creature but also cascades into another spell, potentially offering a two-for-one value. However, it doesn’t match the recycling ability of Carrion Thrash, which can set up recurring creature plays.
Evaluating these options, Carrion Thrash undeniably brings a strategic edge for players who favor graveyard interaction. It’s a standout in decks that aim to leverage creature utility beyond their presence on the battlefield. This versatility can be pivotal in games where resilience and resourcefulness are key.
Cards similar to Carrion Thrash by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Carrion Thrash is on the field, its ability to retrieve other valuable creatures from the graveyard upon its death ensures that you’re not at a loss. This can keep your hand well-supplied and your game strategy flexible.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of resource acceleration, Carrion Thrash’s ability to repeatedly utilize creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects can indirectly lead to an acceleration of resources, empowering your board state with each play.
Instant Speed: Carrion Thrash’s capabilities shine at any speed, but combine it with instant speed spells and tricks, and you’re able to orchestrate a battlefield where Carrion Thrash thrives. Whether it’s making strategic blocks or capitalizing on death triggers, instant speed interactions complement this creature’s role in your deck.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Carrion Thrash demands a card discard to activate its ability. This can backfire if your hand is already depleted, leaving you at a resource disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana required to cast this card is color-intensive, including both black and red. This could limit the card’s inclusion to only certain multicolor decks that can reliably generate both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of five mana—including three specific colors—Carrion Thrash can be taxing on your mana base. In faster paced games, this could slow you down, especially when cheaper creatures could fill similar roles more efficiently.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Carrion Thrash is a multi-use creature card, suitable for various strategies that hinge on creature control and graveyard tactics. As part of a Jund-colored deck, it easily fits the aggressive and value-driven playstyle.
Combo Potential: With its ability to return another multicolor card from your graveyard to your hand upon its death, Carrion Thrash works well with numerous synergies and recursive strategies, bolstering long-term board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Although not a staple in the current competitive scene, Carrion Thrash offers a solid play in casual circles and specific meta environments where attrition and card advantage dictate the pace of the game.
How to beat
Carrion Thrash is a unique Magic: The Gathering creature card that finds its strength in its multicolor status and ability to return to a player’s hand when it dies. This persistent threat can make it a recurring problem on the battlefield. While it’s not built for vast one-turn damage outputs, its consistent presence means you’ll need a strategy that circumvents its return-to-hand ability.
One effective method is to employ exile effects when dealing with Carrion Thrash. Removing it from the game entirely prevents the loop of it dying and returning to a player’s hand. Thus, spells that exile upon death, like Swords to Plowshares, are invaluable. Moreover, utilizing control cards to negate creature abilities can strip Carrion Thrash of its resilience. This can transform it into a less intimidating foe, allowing players to then deal with it through traditional combat or removal spells without fearing its return.
Having the right control mechanisms in place can make all the difference in a game. Successfully managing the likes of Carrion Thrash stops your opponent from gaining the upper hand by leveraging it for continuous field presence or hand advantage—critical steps in claiming victory on the MTG battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carrion Thrash MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Carrion Thrash 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 Carrion Thrash has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carrion Thrash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | If Carrion Thrash and another creature are put into a graveyard from the battlefield at the same time, you may target the other creature with Carrion Thrash’s ability. |
| 2008-10-01 | You choose a target when the ability triggers. You decide whether to pay when the ability resolves. |