Gobbling Ooze MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Ooze |
| Released | 2012-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Return to Ravnica |
| Set code | RTR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 126 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Johann Bodin |
Text of card
, Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on Gobbling Ooze.
The furious citizens blamed the Simic for releasing it in their district. The Simic pointed out that rats were no longer a problem.
Cards like Gobbling Ooze
Gobbling Ooze brings a unique flavor to the battlefield of MTG with its creature-devouring mechanics. In a sense, it bears comparison to other creature cards like Scavenging Ooze, which also excels at growing stronger by ingesting other creatures. However, while Scavenging Ooze can remove cards from graveyards to gain +1/+1 counters and life, Gobbling Ooze requires the sacrifice of a creature you control for its power boost, offering a different strategic approach for players.
Another creature often paralleled with Gobbling Ooze is Voracious Hydra. This Hydra doubles the +1/+1 counters when it enters the battlefield under certain conditions, which can instantly make it a more formidable presence as compared to the gradual increase offered by the Ooze. Nonetheless, Gobbling Ooze has the potential for repeated growth each turn, providing ongoing value and synergy in decks that can generate a steady stream of creature tokens.
Assessing these comparisons, Gobbling Ooze has a distinct positioning. It may not provide the immediate impact of some alternative creatures, but in the right deck, its persistent ability to evolve turn after turn can become a persistent threat to any opponent in the game of MTG.
Cards similar to Gobbling Ooze by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gobbling Ooze offers a tangible benefit through its ability to grow larger over time. By sacrificing other creatures, Ooze translates excess or expendable creatures into greater battlefield presence, converting quantity into quality and maintaining the upper hand in terms of resources.
Resource Acceleration: Ooze may not directly produce mana or treasure tokens, however, its ability to constantly evolve allows players to utilize it as a deterrent or a proactive threat. This might force opponents to invest more resources to handle it, indirectly leading to a form of resource acceleration as opponents try to keep pace.
Instant Speed: While Gobbling Ooze doesn’t act at instant speed, its ability can be used at any time you could cast an instant. This gives you the flexibility to grow it in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially saving it from removal or turning it into an unexpected blocker.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potentially limiting factor of Gobbling Ooze is that it requires you to sacrifice another creature to activate its ability. This can set you back if you’re unable to maintain a sufficient board presence, turning the ooze’s hunger into a setback rather than an advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Gobbling Ooze demands a precise mana composition to cast, specifically one that includes green. While this fits perfectly into green-centric and Golgari decks, it can be restrictive in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits on the higher end of the curve for its size, Gobbling Ooze competes with other impactful four- or five-mana creatures. Its requirement for a continued creature investment to grow can make it a less appealing choice compared with other creatures that provide immediate value on entry to the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Gobbling Ooze in Your Collection
Versatility: Gobbling Ooze offers flexibility in deck-building, fitting into strategies that take advantage of +1/+1 counters and creature sacrifice mechanics. This adaptability is a boon for any player looking to explore different styles of play.
Combo Potential: With the ability to grow itself by consuming other creatures, the Ooze works well within synergistic deck themes that focus on recurring creature play or those that use creature death for beneficial effects, like triggering morbid.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the board is often cluttered with creatures, this card can shine by turning those redundant or expendable creatures into value, potentially outclassing opponents in creature size and paving the way for a win.
How to beat
Gobbling Ooze presents an intriguing challenge in the realm of MTG with its ability to grow stronger by consuming other creatures on your battlefield. Its base stats may not seem overwhelming, but the potential to scale up can lead to a formidable threat if left unchecked. When facing such an opponent, it’s crucial to disrupt its growth strategy to maintain control of the game.
To effectively combat Gobbling Ooze, consider using removal spells before it has the chance to bulk up. Spells such as Path to Exile or Murder can quickly take the Ooze off the board, preventing it from becoming a larger problem. Alternatively, counter strategies involving creatures with death triggers or those that benefit from being in the graveyard can nullify the Ooze’s advantage. This ensures that even if your creatures are consumed, you gain some benefit in return, mitigating the impact on your game plan.
Timely and strategic use of your resources is key when dealing with cards like Gobbling Ooze. By keeping its growth potential in check and using targeted removal or smart sacrifices, you can maintain a strong position and eventually overpower this consuming menace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gobbling Ooze MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Gobbling Ooze 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 Gobbling Ooze has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |