Inquisitor's Ox MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 24
2019-11-07 - Number 139
2020-09-26 - Number SOI-24
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ox |
| Abilities | Delirium |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Delirium — Inquisitor's Ox gets +1/+0 and has vigilance as long as there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.
Many fields now lie fallow in Gavony, as the oxen have been confiscated to perform other duties.
Cards like Inquisitor's Ox
Inquisitor’s Ox stands out within its category as a solid defensive option in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels lie with cards such as Moorland Inquisitor, yet the Ox offers a unique blend of durability and utility not found in the Inquisitor. Both creatures share the same mana cost, but where Moorland Inquisitor provides first strike with spending mana, Inquisitor’s Ox brings a steadfast 2/5 body that could potentially be even more formidable with Delirium, transforming it into a 3/5 with vigilance without an extra mana investment.
Another card that echoes the Ox’s defensive posture is Thraben Inspector. Although the Inspector is not as hardy as the Ox, it compensates with an enter-the-battlefield trigger that delivers a clue token, offering card draw potential which the Ox lacks. Moreover, the inspector has a lower cost, aiding in early game plays. Yet, when facing off against sturdy threats, Inquisitor’s Ox provides a more robust blockade.
In examining these cards’ uses and resilience on the battlefield, Inquisitor’s Ox is a commendable choice for players valuing endurance. Its favorable potential when the Delirium condition is met makes it a noteworthy consideration for deck builders needing steadfast, cost-effective defenders.
Cards similar to Inquisitor's Ox by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Inquisitor’s Ox enables you to reliably bolster your defenses while maintaining card parity. Unlike spells that only create temporary creatures, this creature remains on the board, potentially providing more value over time.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the presence of Inquisitor’s Ox can allow for more effective allocation of resources. Its durability may enable you to commit mana to other strategic plays or develop your board with less worry about leaving defenses too thin.
Instant Speed: Inquisitor’s Ox may not have the agility of instant speed interaction, but its role in the game is to serve as a steadfast blocker. Its vigilance could free up your other creatures to act at a moment’s notice, mirroring the flexibility that instant speed spells often provide in managing threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In order to fully utilize Inquisitor’s Ox, a specific condition involving the discard of another card may need to be fulfilled. This can potentially deplete your hand and resources, putting you at a disadvantage in longer games or against decks with robust card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Inquisitor’s Ox includes white mana, which necessitates its inclusion primarily in white or white-inclusive decks. This specific mana requirement can limit deck-building flexibility and might not align with strategies that don’t heavily feature white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be considered high relative to other creatures of similar abilities, Inquisitor’s Ox competes for a slot in your deck against other cards with potentially greater impact. Its cost-efficiency can be called into question when weighed against the breadth of options available to players looking to optimize their four-mana plays.
Reasons to Include Inquisitor’s Ox in Your Collection
Versatility: Inquisitor’s Ox comes with a steady body and can easily find a home in decks focusing on durability and defense. Its ability to be a reliable blocker makes it a fine addition to various control-based strategies.
Combo Potential: With its delirium ability to gain additional toughness, the Ox pairs nicely with cards that care about the types of cards in your graveyard, amplifying the value you get from well-timed graveyard strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that leans towards creature-heavy battles, Inquisitor’s Ox provides a solid line of defense. Its relevance increases in metas where having a high-toughness creature can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
How to beat
Inquisitor’s Ox presents a sturdy barrier to overcome on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This four-mana creature poses a moderate threat with its Delirium ability, which when activated, gives it a power boost and vigilance. To handle this bovine behemoth, consider spells that can exile it or bypass its defenses rather than traditional combat.
One strategy could be to employ enchantments like Pacifism which prevents it from attacking or blocking, effectively neutralizing the threat without engaging it directly. Another effective tactic is utilizing removal spells like Murder to dispatch the Ox swiftly and efficiently without triggering its Delirium benefit. It’s also worth remembering that the Inquisitor’s Ox lacks hexproof or indestructible, leaving it vulnerable to a wide array of common creature removal spells.
Ultimately, while Inquisitor’s Ox can be a formidable force, a well-prepared deck with the right removal tools or control elements can handle this creature with minimal disruption to their game plan. Efficient management of this card is paramount in ensuring it does not upset the balance of the match in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inquisitor's Ox MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Mystery Booster, 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 Inquisitor's Ox and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Inquisitor's Ox Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | SOI-24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inquisitor's Ox has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Inquisitor's Ox card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | Because you consider only the characteristics of a double-faced card’s front face while it’s not on the battlefield, the types of its back face won’t be counted for delirium. |
| 2016-04-08 | Gaining vigilance any time after the moment you choose to attack with Inquisitor’s Ox won’t cause it to become untapped. |
| 2016-04-08 | In some rare cases, you can have a token or a copy of a spell in your graveyard at the moment that an object’s delirium ability counts the card types among cards in your graveyard, before that token or copy ceases to exist. Because tokens and copies of spells are not cards, even if they are copies of cards, their types will never be counted. |
| 2016-04-08 | The card types in Magic are artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, planeswalker, sorcery, and tribal (a card type that appears on some older cards). Supertypes (such as legendary and basic) and subtypes (such as Human and Equipment) are not counted. |
| 2016-04-08 | The number of card types matters, not the number of cards. For example, Wicker Witch (an artifact creature) along with Catalog (an instant) and Chaplain’s Blessing (a sorcery) will enable delirium. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.