Bellowing Saddlebrute MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Orc Warrior
Abilities	Raid
Released	2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set name	Khans of Tarkir
Set code	KTK
Power	4
Toughness	5
Number	64
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Torstein Nordstrand

Key Takeaways

Stat efficiency makes it a formidable force, needing just four mana for a strong 4/5 creature.
In decks built for aggression, mitigating its entry cost can transform it into a major asset.
Its specific mana demands can be limiting, calling for a strategic deck composition.

Text of card

Raid — When Bellowing Saddlebrute enters the battlefield, you lose 4 life unless you attacked with a creature this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bellowing Saddlebrute provides a significant presence on the battlefield, potentially trading with multiple opponent creatures. Losing life when it enters the battlefield is counterbalanced by its formidable stats, making it a valuable asset to aggressively themed decks looking to maintain momentum.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly linking to mana ramp, Bellowing Saddlebrute’s solid 4/5 body for only four mana offers a form of efficiency acceleration. It can outpace the opponent’s threats, putting you ahead in the resource race as a sizable creature often equates to commanding more of the game’s tempo.

Instant Speed: While Bellowing Saddlebrute doesn’t operate at instant speed, it interacts favorably in formats where combat tricks and instant-speed removal are prevalent. Playing this creature after your opponent has tapped out can ensure it makes an immediate impact without the risk of it being countered or killed before delivering value.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bellowing Saddlebrute forces its controller to discard a card unless you’ve attacked with a creature this turn. For players who haven’t met this raid condition, this discard can be a significant setback, particularly when hand size is crucial to maintaining board control.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two black mana to cast, Bellowing Saddlebrute demands a firm commitment to black in your deck. Players utilizing a multicolor deck may find this mana requirement restrictive and challenging to fulfil on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 4 mana, Bellowing Saddlebrute competes with other potent 4-drops in the black section and beyond. Considering the competitive landscape of MTG cards, there are alternatives that may provide more impact without the inherent downside of a potential forced discard.

Reasons to Include Bellowing Saddlebrute in Your Collection

Versatility: Bellowing Saddlebrute offers a powerful option for decks focusing on aggressive strategies. As a 4/5 creature, it can dominate the battlefield and fits well in a variety of black-based decks, from Rakdos aggro to mono-black control.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that mitigate its raid cost or use life loss to your advantage, Bellowing Saddlebrute becomes an asset. It can synergize with cards that gain value from you losing life or with effects that capitalize on a solid board presence.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, having a high-powered creature for a moderate mana cost can be pivotal. Bellowing Saddlebrute can generate immediate pressure on your opponents, especially important in a meta that favors fast-paced, creature-based strategies.

How to beat

Bellowing Saddlebrute presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its formidably high power and the raid mechanic, which bypasses its downside if you’ve attacked this turn. This Magic: The Gathering creature can quickly become a significant threat if left unchecked. However, like all creatures, it has vulnerabilities.

To tackle it effectively, control tactics work best. Utilize removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile for immediate elimination. Since Bellowing Saddlebrute is a sizable creature, direct damage spells might not be as effective unless combined for sufficient damage. If you’re looking for longer-term solutions, consider employing enchantments such as Pacifism to neutralize it without triggering its destructive capabilities. Another angle is countering it upon casting by using spells like Cancel or Mana Leak, ensuring it never sets foot on the battlefield in the first place.

Strategic timing and choice of removal are key in Magic: The Gathering when facing strong creatures like Bellowing Saddlebrute. By planning your moves and maintaining control of the pace, you can ensure that this brute’s bellow is no more threatening than a whisper in your well-prepared deck’s storyline.

Cards like Bellowing Saddlebrute

Bellowing Saddlebrute is a unique creature card that players have come to appreciate in Magic: The Gathering. It presents an interesting comparison to other cards like Ambush Party, which also provides a decent body on the battlefield for its cost. Yet, Bellowing Saddlebrute distinguishes itself with its raid ability – granting it haste if you attacked with a creature that turn. On the other hand, Ambush Party, while it can have haste, doesn’t offer the same immediate combat potential without previous aggression.

Moving on to Raging Swordtooth, we see another parallel. This card delivers a powerful punch, and it comes with the added benefit of dealing one damage to each other creature when it enters the battlefield. This makes Raging Swordtooth a valuable card for clearing out smaller threats. Bellowing Saddlebrute, however, focuses solely on delivering a swift, heavy hit without distributing damage across the board.

To summarize, while there are numerous creatures within Magic: The Gathering that share similarities in cost and power, Bellowing Saddlebrute stands out for its capability to make an immediate impact if played in a deck designed to take advantage of the raid mechanic, solidifying it as a card that can easily turn the tides of a match.

Cards similar to Bellowing Saddlebrute by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bellowing Saddlebrute MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Bellowing Saddlebrute and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bellowing Saddlebrute has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bellowing Saddlebrute card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2018-01-19	Raid abilities care only that you attacked with a creature. It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked with, or which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent those creatures attacked.
2018-01-19	Raid abilities evaluate the entire turn to see if you attacked with a creature. That creature doesn’t have to still be on the battlefield. Similarly, the player or planeswalker it attacked doesn’t have to still be in the game or on the battlefield, respectively.