Ironhoof Ox MTG Card

Ironhoof Ox provides card advantage by often forcing opponents to use multiple resources against it. Not a ramp card, the Ox’s size can hurry the game and exert early pressure on opponents. Requiring a hand discard to play, the Ox can be a setback if the timing isn’t right.

Portal Second Age (P02)
1998-06-24 - Number 130

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 158

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Ox
Power	4
Toughness	4

Text of card

Ironhoof Ox can't be blocked by more than one creature.

The good news is it's vegetarian. The bad news is it just doesn't like you.

Cards like Ironhoof Ox

Ironhoof Ox is a notable creature in Magic: The Gathering, reminding us of other workhorses within the realm of tough and resilient blockers. The Ironhoof Ox stands out with its combination of solid stats and the ability to remain untapped when pitted against certain types of cards. Creatures like Loxodon Wayfarer have a similar mana cost but lack the specific staying power of Ironhoof Ox, which revolves around its strength against multicolored spells.

Comparably, durable creatures such as Siege Mastodon also bring toughness to the table, albeit without the explicit multicolor countering abilities. Siege Mastodon sacrifices some of the versatility that the Ironhoof Ox can boast about. In addition, Battering Krasis, although it has the trample ability, it doesn’t provide the same level of defensive utility against a multicolor-heavy deck, making Ironhoof Ox a strategically valuable choice in such scenarios.

Ultimately, Ironhoof Ox secures its place as a dependable option for those looking to enhance their defense, especially in environments with a high presence of multicolored cards. This creature’s unique capabilities make it a mighty shield on the field, able to stand its ground when many others cannot.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Ironhoof Ox may not draw cards directly, its robust presence on the battlefield can often result in a two-for-one scenario. This is because it requires multiple cards from your opponent to deal with it, thereby indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a classic ramp card, Ironhoof Ox’s sheer size can accelerate the game towards your favor. Fielding a large creature early can pressurize opponents, making each of your subsequent plays more impactful as they scramble to respond.

Instant Speed: The ox might not be cast at instant speed, but in a deck designed to exploit such spells, it serves as a reliable follow-up play. After baiting out your opponent’s counters or removal with instant speed interactions, deploying a heavy hitter like this ensures sustained pressure on your opponent’s resources.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ironhoof Ox necessitates a discard from your hand to unfold its potential. This demand can often backfire during gameplay, especially when your hand size dwindles and every card counts. Being forced to part with a potential game-changer just to get your Ox in action could be a critical setback.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Ironhoof Ox is not just significant in quantity but also specific in its composition. With a color-specific mana requirement, it limits the Ox’s integration to decks that are able to generate the necessary resources efficiently. This potentially restricts deck diversity and can complicate your game strategy if your mana flow is disrupted.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Ox brings certain advantages to the battlefield, its mana value could be considered on the steeper side for the abilities it offers. Players might find themselves weighing the cost-benefit ratio of including the Ox in their deck when there are other creatures in the same mana range that could provide a stronger board presence or more immediate impact.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Ironhoof Ox offers solid defensive capabilities, slots into various green-themed decks, and acts as a reliable creature that can consistently enforce board control.

Combo Potential: Its passive abilities pair well with effects that care about creatures with a high toughness or abilities that allow you to assign combat damage equal to toughness rather than power.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where ground-based aggression is prevalent, the Ironhoof Ox serves as an effective roadblock, impacting the board simply by its mere presence and sturdiness.

How to beat

Ironhoof Ox represents a solid creature card in MTG that players often utilize for its resilience in combat due to its formidable stats. Skirting around this bovine behemoth can be challenging, but not impossible. The key to defeating the Ironhoof Ox lies in using removal spells that can bypass its potentially increased defenses. Consider leveraging spells like Murder or Doom Blade that are efficient in dispatching creatures regardless of their size.

Another strategy is to control the battlefield before the Ox gets a foothold. Utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God can clean the slate and start fresh, effectively negating the Ox’s presence. Additionally, enchantments that pacify or prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can severely limit the Ox’s impact on the game. Cards like Pacifism or the enchantment-based ‘lock’ card, Imprisoned in the Moon, offer creative ways to deal with stout creatures like the Ironhoof Ox without resorting to a direct confrontation.

Understanding the timing and deploying the right response ensures that even a creature as sturdy as the Ironhoof Ox can be handled adeptly, maintaining the flow of the game in your favor and moving towards victory in MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ironhoof Ox MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Ironhoof Ox and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Ironhoof Ox Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Una Fricker.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-06-24	Portal Second Age	P02		130	1997	Normal	Black	Una Fricker
2	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4		158	1997	Normal	Black	Una Fricker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ironhoof Ox has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal