Eldrazi Obligator MTG Card

Offers card advantage and can change game dynamics by capturing opponent creatures at crucial times. Its versatility shines in multiple deck archetypes, providing significant aggressive and interruptive utility. Countering strategies include minimizing creatures and keeping removal or countermagic readily available.

Eldrazi Obligator - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 96

Eldrazi Obligator - Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 96s

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Eldrazi
Abilities	Devoid,Haste
Power	3
Toughness	1

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) When you cast Eldrazi Obligator, you may pay . If you do, gain control of target creature until end of turn, untap that creature, and it gains haste until end of turn. ( represents colorless mana.) Haste

Cards like Eldrazi Obligator

The Eldrazi Obligator delivers a unique twist in the realm of creature control within Magic: The Gathering. Players often draw parallels with cards like Act of Treason, which also hijacks an opponent’s creature for a turn. However, the Eldrazi Obligator’s pivotal edge lies in its potential for a two-for-one deal: not only gaining control of an opponent’s asset but also fielding a threatening creature on the board.

Zealous Conscripts follow similar lines, offering temporary control of any target permanent, not just creatures, and it brings a sturdier body into play. However, it does come at a higher cost and lacks the Obligator’s added value of being able to cast it using colorless mana. Then we have the likes of Harness by Force, which can scale up by controlling additional creatures, but at the expense of more mana investment, unlike the efficient cost associated with the Eldrazi Obligator.

In weighing Eldrazi Obligator against its contemporaries, its versatility and cost-effectiveness provide an appealing option for players who wish to leverage their foes’ strengths against them whilst laying down their own Eldrazi aggressor, all within the dynamics of Magic: The Gathering’s highly competitive environment.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Eldrazi Obligator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	All Other Decklists	Pioneer	Gruul Aggro	NRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Eldrazi Obligator offers a unique form of card advantage. When it enters the battlefield, if you control enough colorless mana, it gives you the power to temporarily steal an opponent’s creature. This can swing the tide of the game by not only giving you an additional attacker but also removing a potential blocker from your opponent’s side.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not producing additional mana or tokens, the Eldrazi Obligator aids in resource acceleration by enabling aggressive strategies that can end games quickly. Its ability to take control of key creatures can result in significant tempo gains, effectively racing past opponents before they can establish their game plan.

Instant Speed: While the Eldrazi Obligator itself is a creature that must be played at sorcery speed, its triggered ability can be paid for at instant speed if you have the required colorless mana when it enters the battlefield. This can lead to surprising shifts in the board state at crucial moments, often catching opponents off guard and disrupting their plans.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike most of its kin, Eldrazi Obligator does not require a card discard. However, to utilize its full potential, a payment involving another specific resource is essential, effectively behaving like a conditional discard that can hamper your tempo if not planned for.

Specific Mana Cost: While the Eldrazi Obligator is versatile, it does come with a specific cost. The need for both colorless mana and red mana can be challenging, especially for players running multi-color decks that may not have consistent access to both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boasting a powerful effect, the Eldrazi Obligator comes at a cost, which at three mana including one colorless can be steep. In the realm of MTG, players often weigh the mana cost against the immediacy and impact of the effect — and in some cases, there may be alternatives that offer a more cost-effective solution.

Reasons to Include Eldrazi Obligator in Your Collection

Versatility: Eldrazi Obligator is not just a threat on its own, but its ability to fit into various deck archetypes makes it a valuable addition. Its flexibility to act both as an aggressive creature and a surprise interrupt during combat phases ensures it contributes significantly in multiple scenarios.

Combo Potential: With the ability to temporarily snatch control of an opponent’s creature, Eldrazi Obligator presents unique combo opportunities. This offers a way to turn the tides by utilizing opponent’s creatures for your own benefit, potentially swinging the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where large creatures and board presence dominate, the Eldrazi Obligator can shine by allowing players to break stalemates and turn enemy assets into sudden advantages. This can be a game-changer in matches where every creature’s power counts.

How to beat

Engaging with Eldrazi Obligator on the battlefield can be a daunting task for players of Magic: The Gathering. Known for its power to effectively take control of an opponent’s creature during the heat of combat, this card can sway the momentum of the game. To counteract the Eldrazi Obligator’s potent ability, it’s important to have strategies that can neutralize or minimize its impact.

A straightforward approach is to limit the number of creatures on your battlefield, rendering the Obligator’s ability less effective. Keeping instant-speed removal spells in your hand, like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, ensures that any creature taken over by the Obligator can be swiftly dealt with. Counterspells can also be a vital part of your defense, with options like Negate or Dovin’s Veto ready to intercept the Obligator’s cast or its triggered ability. Additionally, cards that grant hexproof to your creatures or yourself can prevent the Obligator from targeting the most valuable assets on your board.

Ultimately, being prepared for the Eldrazi Obligator’s arrival, whether by managing your own creatures or having the right spells on standby, will help maintain your position and give you a better chance at outlasting and outplaying this intimidating MTG card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eldrazi Obligator MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Oath of the Gatewatch Promos, 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 Eldrazi Obligator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eldrazi Obligator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2016-01-22. Illustrated by Jason Felix.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch	OGW		96	2015	Normal	Black	Jason Felix
2	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch Promos	POGW		96s	2015	Normal	Black	Jason Felix

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eldrazi Obligator has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	You may choose any creature as the target of Eldrazi Obligator’s triggered ability, including one that’s untapped or one you already control.