Catacomb Crocodile MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 67
2019-11-07 - Number 594
2020-09-26 - Number RNA-67
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Crocodile |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Cards like Catacomb Crocodile
Catacomb Crocodile is a creature card that joins the ranks of straightforward, vanilla creatures in Magic: The Gathering. As a comparison, Canal Monitor is another creature of a similar vein, both carrying a 3/7 stat line. While Catacomb Crocodile stands apart with its flavor text that adds a touch of intrigue to its presence on the battlefield, gameplay-wise, they function nearly identically, offering a sizable defensive presence for their cost.
Looking at it from another perspective, we stumble upon Hired Torturer, which also boasts a robust toughness at a 2/3 and presents a more active ability, allowing it to slowly whittle down an opponent’s life total. Unlike Catacomb Crocodile, which tends to be a passive blocker, Hired Torturer can actively contribute to your game plan beyond the combat phase.
To wrap up, the Catacomb Crocodile fulfills its role as a stalwart defender within your deck, comparable to other creatures in its class. Its substantial toughness at a reasonable cost makes it a solid choice for players in need of a strong defensive barrier, albeit without the thrills of additional abilities or combat tricks.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Catacomb Crocodile may not directly offer card draw, its substantial toughness makes it a resilient blocker that can help maintain board presence, protecting more valuable cards and indirectly leading to a form of card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Catacomb Crocodile isn’t designed for resource acceleration, its mere existence forces opponents to deal with it, potentially using up more resources than it costs to play. In this way, it can lead to a resource imbalance in your favor over time.
Instant Speed: Catacomb Crocodile is a creature spell so it doesn’t have instant speed. However, it synergizes well in decks that can exploit its size at instant speed with cards that can flash creatures onto the battlefield, allowing you to surprise opponents with a sudden blocker or attacker.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Catacomb Crocodile does not specifically require you to discard a card, it doesn’t offer any ability to improve your hand, unlike other creatures in its mana range that might provide card draw or selection.
Specific Mana Cost: Catacomb Crocodile’s casting cost requires a specific commitment to black mana, which can make it less flexible in multi-colored decks that might not consistently have the right mana available when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana for a 3/7 creature, some may consider it an inefficient use of resources. Other creatures at this cost tend to have impactful abilities or higher offensive capabilities, which could provide a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Catacomb Crocodile in Your Collection
Versatility: Despite its specific role, Catacomb Crocodile serves as a formidable defender due to its high toughness. This makes it a solid addition to any collection looking for durable blockers that can withstand most combat threats.
Combo Potential: With its significant toughness, Catacomb Crocodile becomes a prime candidate for decks that capitalize on high toughness creatures. Strategies involving cards that benefit from creatures with tough exteriors or that set life totals to creature toughness find this card to be a valuable asset.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive, low-cost creatures dominate, Catacomb Crocodile can be a cost-efficient way to hold off opponents. Its presence can significantly affect how battles are fought on the ground, especially in matches where board presence is crucial for victory.
How to beat
Catacomb Crocodile presents itself as a sturdy creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. With respectable toughness, it can be a real obstacle on the battlefield. However, players have a variety of strategies to overcome this reptilian roadblock. One of the most straightforward methods is to use removal spells like Murder to dispatch it without having to confront its bulk in combat. Enchantment-based removals like Pacifism also effectively neutralize the Crocodile, rendering it harmless even as it sits on the battlefield.
Another approach is to bypass it entirely. Cards that give your creatures flying or another form of evasion can help you sail over the Crocodile’s head to score direct hits. Alternatively, combat tricks that buff your creatures’ power can help you take down Catacomb Crocodile in a clash. Remember to watch out for potential combat tricks from your opponent as well, which could turn this seemingly simple blockade into a more menacing threat.
In essence, while Catacomb Crocodile may look daunting with its thick skin and cavernous maw, seasoned players know there’s always a way to handle such creatures. Whether it’s direct removal, evasion, or clever combat maneuvering, the Crocodile can be beaten, maintaining the dynamic flow of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Catacomb Crocodile MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Mystery Booster, 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 Catacomb Crocodile 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
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Printings
The Catacomb Crocodile Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 594 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | RNA-67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Catacomb Crocodile has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |