Ostiary Thrull MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Thrull
Released	2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Guildpact
Set code	GPT
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	55
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Key Takeaways

Ostiary Thrull offers card advantage by controlling opponents’ untapped creatures, increasing strategic gameplay options.
Instant speed activation allows Ostiary Thrull to disrupt opponent strategies on-the-fly, making it a versatile tool.
Despite its high mana cost and discard requirement, it provides a solid control option and shakes up the meta.

Text of card

, : Tap target creature.

Orzhov churches don't pass the plate for collection. They charge for admission.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ostiary Thrull serves as a resourceful inclusion for decks seeking to maintain hand superiority. With its ability to control opponent’s untapped creatures, it effectively reduces their options while padding your strategic depth during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, Ostiary Thrull allows for superior board control, which indirectly accelerates your resource dominance. By dictating the pace at which an adversary can develop their battlefield, you gain an undeniable tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: The power of instant speed actions cannot be overstated in the world of MTG. Ostiary Thrull’s ability can be activated at such speed, offering a reactive tool to disrupt your opponent’s strategies at critical moments, all while keeping your mana uncommitted until the need is most dire.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ostiary Thrull necessitates discarding a card for its exploit ability. This requirement could be detrimental, particularly in scenarios where hand size is already compromised, leading to a potential loss in card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: It demands black mana to cast, making it exclusively viable in decks that run black. This can restrict deck-building flexibility and may not mesh well with strategies that don’t heavily feature black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to deploy Ostiary Thrull may be steep relative to its in-game effect. Considering other creatures in MTG with similar mana costs, Ostiary Thrull could be less compelling when evaluating its potential impact on the board state against alternative options available within the same mana range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ostiary Thrull can play a crucial role across various deck archetypes. Its ability to lock down opponents’ creatures adds strategic depth to control decks and slows down aggressive opponents, making it adaptable to your play style.

Combo Potential: This thrull excels when combined with cards that benefit from tap or untap mechanics. It seamlessly integrates into decks that exploit such synergies, enhancing the overall potency of your combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given the shift in the environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Ostiary Thrull’s locking ability grows in usefulness. It can serve as a counter to many popular threats in the current meta, solidifying its position in your collection as a key tactical asset.

How to beat

Ostiary Thrull presents a unique challenge to players with its ability to lock down opponents’ creatures. This MTG card comes with a built-in control mechanism that has the potential to shift the battlefield dynamics. The key to overcoming Ostiary Thrull lies in its activation cost. Since its tap ability requires mana, keeping your mana untapped can discourage an opponent from exploiting this feature.

Removal spells are your best line of defense. Swift and efficient answers like Shock or Fatal Push can eliminate Ostiary Thrull before it becomes a recurring nuisance. Additionally, evasive creatures or those with hexproof render Ostiary Thrull less effective, as they slip through its controlling grasp. Finally, a well-timed Counterspell can prevent Ostiary Thrull from ever hitting the field, ensuring that your creatures remain free to move and attack as they please.

By understanding Ostiary Thrull’s strengths and limitations, and including cards in your deck that can either remove it or negate its abilities, you can maintain the upper hand and lead your creatures to victory unimpeded.

Cards like Ostiary Thrull

Ostiary Thrull presents an intriguing dynamic in the realm of control cards in MTG. When considering similar cards, one might think of the spell Nekrataal which, like Ostiary Thrull, offers the valuable utility of removing opposing creatures from the game. Nekrataal strictly targets nonartifact, nonblack creatures, whereas Ostiary Thrull has more flexibility but requires the conviction mechanic to unleash its full potential.

Another card in this conversation is Skinrender, which also brings a form of creature removal. While Skinrender bestows negative counters on creatures upon entering the battlefield, Ostiary Thrull requires a creature be tapped first, which can be a more strategic but potentially slower option. Comparatively, cards like Banisher Priest offer a temporary solution as they exile creatures only for as long as you control the Priest, making Ostiary Thrull a better option for long-term control strategies.

Assessing these interactions, Ostiary Thrull holds a unique place. It may not have the immediacy of certain removal spells but offers a distinct advantage through its repeatable use, aligning well with persistent board control strategies in MTG.

Cards similar to Ostiary Thrull by color, type and mana cost

Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions

Orah, Skyclave Hierophant - MTG Card versions

Felisa, Fang of Silverquill - MTG Card versions

Ghost Council of Orzhova - MTG Card versions

Restoration Gearsmith - MTG Card versions

Aryel, Knight of Windgrace - MTG Card versions

Seraph of the Scales - MTG Card versions

Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions

Barrowin of Clan Undurr - MTG Card versions

Edgar, Charmed Groom // Edgar Markov's Coffin - MTG Card versions

Minthara, Merciless Soul - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ostiary Thrull MTG card by a specific set like 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 Ostiary Thrull and other MTG cards: