Odric, Master Tactician MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier
Abilities First strike
Power 3
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Odric’s ability to control combat offers indirect card advantage by outmaneuvering opponent strategies.
  2. Strategically placed in decks, Odric immensely boosts mid-game power through tactical creature conservation.
  3. Regardless of being sorcery speed, Odric elevates other instant speed interactions, heightening combat phase control.

Text of card

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) Whenever Odric, Master Tactician and at least three other creatures attack, you choose which creatures block this combat and how those creatures block.

"Fear holds no place in faith's battle plan."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Odric, Master Tactician’s ability to dictate combat terms can lead to favorable exchanges, effectively granting you indirect card advantage by preserving your creatures while removing your opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: As a four-mana cost creature, Odric fits efficiently into the curve, facilitating a smooth transition into mid-game. While it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its tactical dominance can maintain your board’s acceleration by skewing combat in your favor.

Instant Speed: Although Odric operates at sorcery speed, its strategic capability enhances the value of your other instant speed interactions during the combat phase, empowering you to make informed decisions based on the board state once Odric’s condition is met.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Odric, Master Tactician doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, but to fully utilize his ability, you may find yourself deploying more creatures as fodder to meet his battalion condition. This strategy can deplete your hand quickly, leaving you vulnerable if you cannot sustain the creature count.

Specific Mana Cost: Odric, Master Tactician’s casting cost is quite specific, requiring two white mana to play. This makes him a less flexible option in multicolored decks where mana consistency can be a concern, potentially restricting his inclusion to mainly mono-white or two-color decks with a heavy white mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Odric, Master Tactician demands a significant investment early in the game. In faster-paced environments or against decks that excel in resource denial, his cost can feel steep for a 3/4 creature, especially if you’re unable to mobilize a sufficient number of other creatures to trigger his tactical advantage.


Reasons to Include Odric Master Tactician in Your Collection

Versatility: Odric Master Tactician offers a unique ability to control combat phases, allowing it to serve as both an offensive leader and a defensive game-changer in various deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: With its ability to dictate which creatures block and how they do so, Odric can synergize with abilities like deathtouch or lifelink, turning combats massively in your favor and creating advantageous board states.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating meta, a creature that provides such a high level of battlefield control can be a tactical asset, particularly in games where ensuring key creatures can attack or avoid being blocked is crucial.


How to Beat Odric, Master Tactician

Odric, Master Tactician is a formidable figure in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for his ability to control combat outcomes. When he and at least three other creatures attack, you get to choose how blockers are assigned, which can be a game-changer. As a strategic four-mana creature, facing Odric in a game means you must be cunning to overcome his tactical advantage.

To disrupt Odric’s dominion on the battlefield, removing him before the attack phase is crucial. Spells that can exile or destroy him without triggering combat are ideal. For instance, Path to Exile or Doom Blade can effectively eliminate him from play. Furthermore, increasing the cost of casting Odric using cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben can delay his appearance, giving you more time to establish control.

Additionally, sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear out Odric alongside his supporting creatures, thus negating his ability to dictate combat. Preventing him from attacking altogether with cards like Pacifism or Encase in Ice can also nullify his influence. Maintaining a strategic defense and being ready with removal options are key to outmaneuvering Odric, Master Tactician in a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’ve got Odric, Master Tactician in your sights, you know the importance of a card that can turn the tides of battle to your favor. His ability to choose blockers makes him a powerhouse on the field. Building a deck that meets his battalion requirement won’t just be about quantity but strategy and synergy. Want to delve deeper into crafting a deck that capitalizes on Odric’s combat control or find ways to counteract his commanding presence? Let’s dig into strategies that will finesse your gameplay, whether you’re harnessing Odric’s might or standing against him. Learn more and craft a deck that’s a cut above the rest.


Cards like Odric, Master Tactician

Odric, Master Tactician is a unique fixture in MTG decks, especially those centered on white creatures and combat strategies. Notably, he shares some common ground with other cards, like Captain of the Watch. Both are poised to boost soldier creatures, with Captain of the Watch granting a +1/+1 bonus and vigilance. Nonetheless, Odric distinguishes himself by offering strategic command over combat once you’ve marshaled a sizable force—not simply bolstering statistics but controlling the entire battle engagement.

Adriana, Captain of the Guard is another card that echoes Odric’s war-time leadership, providing melee benefits that enhance attackers during combat depending on the number of opponents. While Adriana elevates the offense during wide attacks, it’s Odric’s tactical edge that often turns the tide, giving the player freedom to dictate blocks — a powerful advantage in multiplayer formats.

In weighing up their unique roles on the battlefield, Odric, Master Tactician stands out with his ability to sway combat outcomes decisively. It’s this characteristic that positions him as a central figure in soldier decks or any white-player’s arsenal geared towards total combat manipulation.

Captain of the Watch - MTG Card versions
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions
Captain of the Watch - Magic 2010 (M10)
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

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Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Odric, Master Tactician MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, 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 Odric, Master Tactician and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Odric, Master Tactician Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Michael Komarck.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 232003normalblackMichael Komarck
22017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 172015normalblackMichael Komarck
32020-04-17Commander 2020C20 962015normalblackMichael Komarck
42020-09-26The ListPLST M13-232003normalblackMichael Komarck
52021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 902015normalblackMichael Komarck
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 462015normalblackMichael Komarck
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4682015normalblackMichael Komarck

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Odric, Master Tactician has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2012-07-01 All blocking declarations must still be legal.
2012-07-01 If there's a cost associated with having a creature block and you choose for that creature to block, its controller can choose to pay that cost or not. If that player decides to not pay that cost, you must propose a new set of blocking creatures.
2012-07-01 You can decide that a creature won't block.

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