Ogre Jailbreaker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Ogre Rogue
Abilities Defender
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. A 4/4 creature, Ogre Jailbreaker balances attack and defense, excelling when Gates are present.
  2. Its specific mana cost and defender condition influence strategic deck building choices.
  3. Ogre Jailbreaker’s niche role can significantly impact Gate-centric strategies in gameplay.

Text of card

Defender Ogre Jailbreaker can attack as though it didn't have defender as long as you control a Gate.

It took three years for it to occur to him to use the chain as a weapon, but once it did, he made up for lost time.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ogre Jailbreaker is not so much about card advantage in the traditional sense but it shines in its potential to become a steadfast blocker or a formidable attacker for a low mana cost. Its ability to navigate games with card quantity parity makes it a valuable inclusion in decks that might otherwise struggle to keep up.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Ogre Jailbreaker does not directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost for a 4/4 creature allows for a more efficient use of mana. This, in turn, can free up resources to deploy other threats or answers on the same turn, optimizing your strategic plays on the board.

Instant Speed: While Ogre Jailbreaker itself is not an instant, its impact lies in the realm of deck synergy, especially when played alongside instant-speed removal or combat tricks. Its presence on the field can deter attacks, prompting the opponent to hold back, which could lead to favorable interactions with other instant-speed cards in your arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ogre Jailbreaker demands a specific board state to maximize its potential. If you’re unable to control a Gate, its defender trait limits its use, which can be a significant setback during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes both black and generic mana, which might not seamlessly fit into every deck’s mana base, especially those that are color intensive or multi-colored.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four-mana cost investment, Ogre Jailbreaker can be overshadowed by other cards at a similar mana slot that provide greater versatility or immediate impact on the game.


Reasons to Include Ogre Jailbreaker in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Jailbreaker can be a key player in deck builds that capitalize on the Defender mechanic or within strategies that reward you for having gates. Its ability to become an attacker as well as a blocker makes it flexible for various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: In synergy with cards that benefit from controlling gates, Ogre Jailbreaker enhances your ability to execute powerful combos, acting as a significant threat to opponents while strengthening the capabilities of your gate-related spells and abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right conditions, Ogre Jailbreaker has the potential to stand out in metas where gate decks are prevalent. It can become a formidable and cost-effective creature for its size in gameplay, matching up well against other popular four-mana spells.


How to beat

Ogre Jailbreaker stands as a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, concentrated more in decks focused on control and defense. Featuring the unique ability to attack as though it didn’t have defender as long as you control a Gate, it brings an aggressive edge to decks that utilize Gate lands. This makes Ogre Jailbreaker not just a protector but a potential attacker if the conditions are met.

To effectively neutralize this threat, players should consider removing the necessary condition for its attacking ability. Controlling the battlefield and limiting the opponent’s access to Gates can render Ogre Jailbreaker a mere defender, confined to its primary role without threat. Additionally, employing removal spells that can target and destroy creatures regardless of their power and toughness can prove to be a swift solution to the Ogre Jailbreaker problem. Finally, evasion tactics, using creatures with flying or unblockable abilities, can bypass the formidable Ogre, as it’s limited to ground defense. Considering these strategies can shift the tide of the game and keep Ogre Jailbreaker from becoming an offensive powerhouse on the opponent’s side.


Cards like Ogre Jailbreaker

When examining Ogre Jailbreaker, it’s pertinent to compare this card to its myriad counterparts in the defender-based MTG card pool. Ogre Jailbreaker stands out with its unique ability to attack as long as you control a Gate. This attribute offers a strategic advantage not commonly found in other defender creatures. Take Wall of Runes, for example, a defender with a scrying ability but without the offensive capabilities inherent to Ogre Jailbreaker.

Looking further, we find Returned Phalanx, a card reminiscent of Ogre Jailbreaker’s strategy. Both cards share the two-color mana requirement, with Returned Phalanx offering a mana activation ability to attack, unlike our Gate-dependent Ogre. The Vent Sentinel is another analogue, albeit with a completely passive defender approach, exerting its influence by dealing direct damage rather than engaging in combat.

While Ogre Jailbreaker might not be the staple in all defender-themed decks, its conditionally aggressive stance marks it as an intriguing pick for any player considering a Gate-centric build. It offers a specific niche that could tip the balance of a game, showcasing the diversity and complexity of MTG card synergies.

Wall of Runes - MTG Card versions
Returned Phalanx - MTG Card versions
Vent Sentinel - MTG Card versions
Wall of Runes - War of the Spark (WAR)
Returned Phalanx - Theros (THS)
Vent Sentinel - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Cards similar to Ogre Jailbreaker by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - Chronicles (CHR)
Rag Man - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phyrexian Debaser - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Slinking Skirge - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gravedigger - The List (PLST)
Scandalmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Urborg Shambler - Invasion (INV)
Whispering Shade - Odyssey (ODY)
Filth - Judgment (JUD)
Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Dirge Bat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Toxin Sliver - Legions (LGN)
Vampiric Spirit - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nim Shambler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Bad Ass - Unhinged (UNH)
Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Deathgazer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Dirty Wererat - Hachette UK (PHUK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Jailbreaker MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Ogre Jailbreaker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ogre Jailbreaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 722003normalblackKarl Kopinski
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 802015normalblackKarl Kopinski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ogre Jailbreaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-03-14 Defender only matters when Ogre Jailbreaker could be declared as an attacking creature. If Ogre Jailbreaker is already attacking, losing control of your only Gate won’t cause Ogre Jailbreaker to leave combat.

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