Scrapyard Mongrel MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Dog
Released	2014-07-18
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2015
Set code	M15
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	160
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

Scrapyard Mongrel can lead to card advantage with the right artifact interactions.
Its dependency on artifacts may limit inclusion in diverse decks.
Well-suited for artifact-heavy metas, it significantly boosts offensive strategies.

Text of card

As long as you control an artifact, Scrapyard Mongrel gets +2/+0 and has trample. (If it would assign enough damage to its blockers to destroy them, you may have it assign the rest of its damage to defending player or planeswalker.)

Trespassers are welcome to try.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Scrapyard Mongrel itself does not allow for drawing additional cards, its affinity for artifacts can indirectly lead to card advantage when combined with cards that draw when artifacts enter the battlefield or are tapped.

Resource Acceleration: This creature gets a boost from having an artifact, which in turn can transform any artifact on the field into a potential resource accelerator, especially if that artifact is capable of generating mana or drawing cards.

Instant Speed: Generally, the boost that Scrapyard Mongrel receives isn’t at instant speed. However, playing artifacts at instant speed while Scrapyard Mongrel is on the battlefield can surprise opponents by increasing the creature’s power just before damage is dealt during combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The prowess of Scrapyard Mongrel hinges on having an artifact in play. Without one, it loses a significant power and toughness bonus, potentially leaving it underpowered on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both generic and red mana, Scrapyard Mongrel may not easily slot into multi-colored decks, especially those that lean away from red or artifact synergies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana can be steep especially when weighed against other creatures in the same slot. Players might find better value in creatures with built-in versatility or lower-cost artifacts with a higher impact on gameplay.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scrapyard Mongrel thrives in environments that bolster artifact themes, fitting snugly into artifact-centric decks or those that capitalize on creature synergies.

Combo Potential: When paired with a healthy arsenal of artifacts, Scrapyard Mongrel’s power increases, potentially unlocking devastating attacks or synergizing with cards that track creature strength.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where artifacts are prevalent, Scrapyard Mongrel can serve as a formidable threat with an enhanced power level that opponents must immediately address.

How to beat

Scrapyard Mongrel shines in decks that utilitize artifacts, becoming a formidable force when geared with an artifact to clutch onto. Its sturdy frame transforms into a threat capable of dashing through defenses when empowered by its enhanced toughness and attack. Wrestling control from this mechanized beast requires a circumspect game plan, veering away from a reliance on blocking strategies which it can easily bulldoze when augmented.

Neutralizing the threat hinges on preemptive measures like hindering artifact accumulation or using removal spells before Scrapyard Mongrel can be equipped and swing into action. Alternately, leveraging efficient creature control options can contain it before it secures an artifact to bolster its power. Spells that bypass its powered-up state are crucial; consider a card like Path to Exile or a board wipe that clears the field regardless of creature size or attached artifacts.

In essence, the key to defuse the menace of Scrapyard Mongrel lies not in direct confrontations where it thrives, but in savvy plays that disrupt its advantage or remove it from the equation entirely. Engage in this plan as early as possible in the game to minimize the impact of this threat on the battlefield.

Cards like Scrapyard Mongrel

Scrapyard Mongrel stands out in the realm of creature cards with artifact synergy in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a close parallel to the likes of Ferrovore, another creature that benefits from the presence of artifacts. While Ferrovore allows for the sacrifice of an artifact to gain a temporary power boost, Scrapyard Mongrel instead gains a consistent increase to its attack power as long as you control an artifact.

Stalking Drone is another creature with conditional power enhancements. It relies on colorless mana to increase its power until end of turn. Comparatively, Scrapyard Mongrel offers a more stable advantage without the need for recurring mana investment, maintaining a formidable presence on the battlefield as a 5/3 attacker.

Additionally, consider the card Filigree Familiar, which also interacts with artifacts but in a different way, offering life gain and card draw upon its departure from the battlefield. While Filigree Familiar fits into artifact-themed decks, Scrapyard Mongrel can serve as a persistent threat with its artifact-enhanced power, making it a valuable asset for players leaning towards aggressive strategies.

Examining Scrapyard Mongrel within its niche showcases its capacity to enhance offensive gameplay when combined with an artifact-centric deck, offering a notable edge for players in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Scrapyard Mongrel by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scrapyard Mongrel MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Scrapyard Mongrel and other MTG cards: