Crag Saurian MTG Card


Crag Saurian - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Lizard
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number185
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatthew D. Wilson

Key Takeaways

  1. Crag Saurian’s damage-triggered return offers continuous board presence and resourceful defense in creature combat.
  2. Its mana-specific cost may limit versatility, but for red-green decks, it’s a formidable option to consider.
  3. Strategies to beat Crag Saurian include non-targeting board wipes and pressuring sacrifice mechanics.

Text of card

Whenever Crag Saurian is dealt damage, the controller of that damage's source gains control of Crag Saurian.

It follows the strongest leader—the one with the longest whip.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The impactful presence of Crag Saurian in your hand can be a game-changer. With its ability to return to your hand from the battlefield if damaged by a source without precision, it often offers a repeating blocker that makes your opponent think twice before attacking, thereby preserving your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Crag Saurian’s unique mechanics don’t directly accelerate resources. However, its survivability indirectly allows players to invest resources into other spells and permanents confidently, knowing that Crag Saurian can hold the line and prevent resource-draining damage.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Crag Saurian flexes its strength in decks that operate at instant speed. When combined with other instant speed interactions, you keep the pace and unpredictability of play in your favor. Combine this with protective instants or surprise damage spells for maximum effect, and watch your Crag Saurian deter attackers turn after turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Crag Saurian, one of the drawbacks is its discard condition that comes into play. You’re compelled to let go of another card, a move that could put you at a disadvantage, especially when hand size is crucial for your strategy’s success.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a specific combination of mana, one that includes both red and green. This can be restrictive and often results in the card being overlooked in favor of more versatile options that can easily fit into a variety of mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Crag Saurian’s mana cost is on the higher side, considering its overall impact in the game. With several alternatives available, players may lean towards options that either provide greater immediate board presence or offer additional value at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Crag Saurian in Your Collection

Versatility: Crag Saurian offers flexibility to decks that capitalize on creatures that can persist on the battlefield. Tailored for environments where damage is frequently dealt, it can thrive in multiple game situations.

Combo Potential: Pairing well with damage amplification and enablers, this card can create synergies that turn occasional damage into significant threats. Utilize it in strategies that benefit from consistent damage output.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creatures and combat, Crag Saurian can deter opponents from targeting it, making it a potential staple in creature-heavy decks. Its ability to recover from damage makes it worth considering for inclusion.


How to beat

Overcoming Crag Saurian in MTG is all about understanding its strengths and finding ways to maneuver around them. This robust creature card can prove challenging with its potential to quickly turn the tides of combat. With Crag Saurian’s ability to gain life points equal to its power when it is targeted by a spell or ability your opponent controls, it can often bounce back from setbacks that might cripple other creatures.

However, the key lies in its specificity — it’s triggered only by your opponent’s spells or abilities. Therefore, to effectively contend with Crag Saurian, it’s advisable to utilize global effects that don’t target, like board wipe spells or damage that affects all creatures. This could mean opting for cards like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act, allowing you to clear the board without giving your adversary an advantage. Another strategy could be to apply pressure with creatures that have death-touch or using spells that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures, thereby circumventing Crag Saurian’s beneficial trigger. By strategically using these methods, players can mitigate the impact of facing this formidable adversary on the battlefield.

It’s also prudent to manage the pace of your gameplay, as a proactive approach can prevent your opponent from amassing the necessary resources to fully leverage Crag Saurian’s abilities, steering the game in your favor.


Cards like Crag Saurian

Crag Saurian maintains a unique position among creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its unusual damage redirect ability. When compared to counterparts like Silverclad Ferocidons, which forces a player to sacrifice a permanent when it’s dealt damage, Crag Saurian’s condition of controlling no other creatures to redirect damage seems less disruptive to a player’s board state.

Likewise, Boros Reckoner shares the trait of dealing damage to a player or creature when it’s harmed, creating potential for substantial impact in a game. However, this ability is inherently different from Crag Saurian’s, which doesn’t require it to be damaged, merely for you to control no other creatures. Lastly, Stuffy Doll presents a similar damage redirect effect but with a narrower focus, targeting a chosen opponent once and only when it’s dealt damage.

Each card provides its player with unique strategic advantages, yet Crag Saurian offers a more defensive tactic to Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts, distinguishing it within this dynamic group of damage redirecting creatures. Players looking for a card that can protect their life total in a creature-light deck might find Crag Saurian a valuable addition to their collection.

Silverclad Ferocidons - MTG Card versions
Boros Reckoner - MTG Card versions
Stuffy Doll - MTG Card versions
Silverclad Ferocidons - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Boros Reckoner - Gatecrash (GTC)
Stuffy Doll - Time Spiral (TSP)

Cards similar to Crag Saurian by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Stone - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Sabretooth Tiger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Skirk Commando - Archenemy (ARC)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Shinen of Fury's Fire - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crag Saurian MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Crag Saurian and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crag Saurian has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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