Deranged Outcast MTG Card


Deranged Outcast - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number112
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byNils Hamm

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances board state by turning graveyard creatures into battlefield threats and power boosts.
  2. Instant speed of its ability offers significant flexibility and strategic advantage.
  3. Requires careful resource management due to its sacrifice and mana demands.

Text of card

, Sacrifice a Human: Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature.

Cast out by his village, he now takes grim offense at refugees who seek shelter in his forest.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deranged Outcast offers strategic advantage by enabling you to effectively utilize creature cards in your graveyard. By sacrificing a creature, you not only grow stronger threats on the battlefield but also can potentially trigger beneficial death-related abilities from other cards.

Resource Acceleration: This card helps you to accelerate your gameplay through its ability to bolster your creatures rapidly. By investing mana into Deranged Outcast’s ability, you turn your creatures into much larger and formidable forces, possibly swaying the tide in your favor earlier than expected.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Deranged Outcast’s sacrifice at instant speed provides flexibility in response to the actions of your opponent. You can make tactical decisions based on the state of the game, including evading removal spells or enhancing a creature’s power just before a crucial block or attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks is the need to discard another creature as part of its activated ability. This can lead to a deficit in your creature resources, making it harder to maintain a strong presence on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: Deranged Outcast’s ability requires both green mana and one generic, which may not synergize well with multi-colored decks that struggle to generate the necessary green mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 2/2 body for two mana is standard, the additional costs to utilize its ability might be too steep in fast-paced games. There are other cards at a similar mana cost that can provide immediate value without the additional investment.


Reasons to Include Deranged Outcast in Your Collection

Versatility: Deranged Outcast offers a significant level of adaptability, able to seamlessly integrate into Human and Sacrifice themed decks. Its ability to bolster your creatures by +1/+1 counters or act as a sacrifice outlet makes it a multifaceted tool for various gameplay situations.

Combo Potential: With the right lineup of creatures in play, Deranged Outcast can become the linchpin of powerful combos. It can feed into strategies emphasizing +1/+1 counter synergies or work with cards that profit from sacrificing creatures for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: Given the landscape of constantly shifting metagames, Deranged Outcast can emerge as a substantial threat in an environment rich with creature-based strategies. Its value escalates in games where creature control and incremental advantages decide the victor.


How to beat

Deranged Outcast is a rather unique card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its creature-boosting abilities. This Human Rogue, specifically designed to interact with the vast world of Human creature types, can act as a powerful ally on the battlefield. It allows players to sacrifice a Human creature to put two +1/+1 counters on another target Human you control. This can lead to significant swings in board power and dominant plays.

Contending with Deranged Outcast relies on a strategy that interrupts its sacrifice-based power. Removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can effectively dispose of the Outcast before it gets a chance to utilize its ability, eliminating the threat preemptively. Keeping a check on the number of creatures on your opponent’s board can also prevent the Outcast from finding suitable targets to buff. Another line of play is utilizing cards that negate the ability triggers or sacrificing effects, such as Torpor Orb, which can nullify the potential for any counter play.

Overall, understanding your opponent’s strategy can give valuable insight into when they might deploy a Deranged Outcast, allowing you to time your responses perfectly. Ensuring you have these responses at the ready is crucial for maintaining the upper hand and ultimately, securing victory over the Outcast’s potentially game-altering abilities.


Cards like Deranged Outcast

The Deranged Outcast is a unique offering in the world of creature support cards in Magic: The Gathering. Lurking in the realm of Human-centric decks, it bears a resemblance to cards like Rite of the Raging Storm, which also delves into deck strategies that revolve around manipulating creatures. Deranged Outcast, however, distinguishes itself with the ability to directly sacrifice a creature to bolster another, enhancing its size and threat on the battlefield.

Another comparative card is Adaptive Automaton, which, like Deranged Outcast, is a boon for tribal decks, but instead of focusing on sacrificing creatures, it passively buffs creatures of the chosen type. While Automaton benefits the entire tribe as soon as it hits the field, Deranged Outcast requires a more strategic approach to creature management. Then there’s the classic Falconer’s Cane, offering a similar creature-enhancing effect. Although not limited to sacrificing your own creatures, the Cane provides a temporary boost only and does not offer the same permanent modification that the Outcast does.

Therefore, within its niche, Deranged Outcast presents a dynamic option for players who are looking for a more calculated and potentially more rewarding way to upgrade their creatures on the battlefield.

Rite of the Raging Storm - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Rite of the Raging Storm - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deranged Outcast by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deranged Outcast MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Deranged Outcast and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deranged Outcast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-22 Because targets are chosen before costs are paid, you can activate Deranged Outcast’s ability targeting itself and then sacrifice Deranged Outcast to pay the cost.
2011-01-22 You can sacrifice any Human you control, including Deranged Outcast itself.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks