Gruul Nodorog MTG Card
2005-08-22 - Number K54
2006-02-03 - Number 88
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
: Gruul Nodorog gains menace until end of turn. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
Cards like Gruul Nodorog
Gruul Nodorog enters the fray of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with a distinctive blend of aggression and resilience. It finds parallels with other creatures such as Bloodbraid Elf, which also thrives in the unpredictable Gruul clan dynamic. Bloodbraid Elf offers immediate value through its cascade ability, netting you an additional spell. Gruul Nodorog, in turn, guarantees a robust presence on the battlefield with its sizable stat line relative to its mana cost.
Much like Ghor-Clan Rampager, the Nodorog offers players a way to forcefully push through defenses. While the Rampager provides a substantial temporary boost with its bloodrush ability, Gruul Nodorog is more about establishing lasting board presence. And then there is Ruric Thar, the Unbowed, who imposes a punishing tax on noncreature spells. Although Ruric Thar and Gruul Nodorog differ in their approaches, they both embody the Gruul spirit of affecting gameplay through creatures.
Upon examining these cards together, Gruul Nodorog stands out for its sheer potential to tip scales in the mid to late game, solidifying its value in creature-centric decks that favor enduring threats over single-impact surprises.
Cards similar to Gruul Nodorog by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Gruul Nodorog card has the potential to tip the scales in your favor by offering substantial card advantage. Every time it deals combat damage to a player, you may get the opportunity to draw a card, ensuring a steady stream of resources and maintaining your momentum.
Resource Acceleration: Capitalizing on Gruul’s affinity for speed and power, this creature can be a catalyst for resource acceleration. Through its interactions and synergies within the Gruul deck archetype, it has the potential to enhance your mana capabilities, making your heavier threats accessible sooner than your opponent might anticipate.
Instant Speed: Although the Gruul Nodorog itself isn’t an instant, it harmonizes well with instant-speed spells in your arsenal. Its mere presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from committing to a strategy, allowing you to utilize your instants with greater efficiency and at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Entering the battlefield often requires a sacrifice, and in the case of Gruul Nodorog, you might find your hand diminishing as it asks for a card to be discarded. This can be particularly troublesome when each card in hand is needed for strategic plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Wielding the Gruul Nodorog requires a blend of red and green mana, tying it exclusively to Gruul or multicolor decks. This specific mana cost can make it less versatile and harder to cast on curve without the right mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s significant, Gruul Nodorog might lag behind other creatures in terms of efficiency. In faster-paced games, the mana investment can lead to missed opportunities to deploy multiple threats or responses against your opponent.
Reasons to Include Gruul Nodorog in Your Collection
Versatility: Gruul Nodorog can adapt to various playstyles, making it a solid addition to many decks. Its ability to serve as both an aggressive early threat and a formidable late-game presence allows it to perform well in different game phases.
Combo Potential: Gruul Nodorog’s synergies with cards that benefit from high power creatures or those that trigger effects upon dealing combat damage enhance its combo potential, offering dynamic interactions and expanding your strategic options.
Meta-Relevance: With an evolving game environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Gruul Nodorog’s robust stat line and intrinsic abilities can give you an edge, particularly when facing off against decks with smaller creatures or those that lack sufficient removal.
How to beat
The Gruul Nodorog presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. As a formidable creature, it demands strategic planning to overcome. There are several effective tactics to consider when facing off against this card. For starters, removal spells that bypass the Gruul Nodorog’s abilities are highly effective. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently dispatch the creature before it becomes a larger threat. Other strategies include utilising counter spells to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place, keeping in mind that timing and the resource management of counter spells are crucial.
Moreover, one can opt for indirect methods such as imposing restrictions on the opponent’s mana base, which can hamper their ability to summon the Gruul Nodorog altogether. Land destruction or cards that enforce tapping down lands can drastically hinder your opponent’s game. Additionally, playing cards that benefit from an opponent’s strong creatures can turn the tables, for instance, by cloning or taking control of the Gruul Nodorog to use it to your own advantage.
Ultimately, while the Gruul Nodorog is a powerful asset, it’s not insurmountable. Clever play, a well-constructed deck, and anticipation of your opponent’s intentions will be your keys to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gruul Nodorog MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Guildpact, 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 Gruul Nodorog 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
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Printings
The Gruul Nodorog Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2006-02-03. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K54 | 2003 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 88 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gruul Nodorog 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 Gruul Nodorog card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-02-01 | Activating Gruul Nodorog’s ability a second time in the same turn has no further effect. |
| 2006-02-01 | Activating Gruul Nodorog’s ability after blockers have been declared has no effect on the creatures already blocking it. |