Mordor Trebuchet MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 97
2023-06-23 - Number 548
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Defender Whenever you attack with one or more Goblins and/or Orcs, create a 2/1 colorless Construct artifact creature token with flying named Ballistic Boulder that's tapped and attacking. Sacrifice that token at end of combat.
Cards like Mordor Trebuchet
Mordor Trebuchet joins the ranks of offensive artifacts within the MTG universe. It bears resemblance to cards like Goblin Bombardment, which allows players to sacrifice creatures for direct damage. Mordor Trebuchet, however, requires no sacrifice, functioning as a standalone damage dealer that can be activated. While both cards provide a form of repeatable damage, the trebuchet’s ability requires no additional card loss, setting it apart.
Considering other parallels, the card Ballista Charger operates in a similar fashion, dealing damage upon attacking. Yet, it’s the charger’s need for engagement in combat that differentiates it from the more versatile Trebuchet, which can activate regardless of combat state. Comparatively, cards like Thran Cannon bring to mind the same mechanics but with higher power at a one-time cost, unlike the recurrent potential of the Trebuchet.
Assessing the Trebuchet’s value within MTG artifacts that deal damage, it proves to be a strategic inclusion with its repeatable damage potential and user-friendly activation, catering especially well to decks that aim to whittle down opponents outside of the combat phase.
Cards similar to Mordor Trebuchet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mordor Trebuchet card is adept at giving you that much-needed edge by replenishing your hand, ensuring you aren’t left at a disadvantage as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: By effectively deploying your Mordor Trebuchet, you can speed up your resource availability, moving you swiftly ahead in the race to establish board control and execute your strategy.
Instant Speed: The ability to launch your trebuchet at instant speed grants you the flexibility to adapt to the battlefield on the fly, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing you to make pinpoint strikes at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Mordor Trebuchet requires players to discard a card as part of the activation cost. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling, forcing you to sacrifice valuable cards in order to leverage the Trebuchet’s abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination to cast. If your deck isn’t tailored to accommodate such requirements, the Trebuchet might remain a dead card in your hand, unable to impact the battlefield as you struggle to gather the right mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the need for a substantial mana investment upfront, the Mordor Trebuchet can be seen as a costly play. Other cards in the same mana range could potentially provide more immediate or impactful advantages, making it important to weigh the Trebuchet’s strategic value against other options in your deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mordor Trebuchet is a unique card that offers a wide range of deck-building options due to its ability to deal damage without being blocked. It can slot into various archetypes that appreciate a consistent damage source or need a way to reach over a stalled board.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that increase the number of creatures on the battlefield or those that benefit from tapping and untapping mechanics, enabling players to devise creative combos for maximizing damage each turn.
Meta-Relevance: Given its direct damage capability, Mordor Trebuchet can be particularly effective against decks relying on creature-based defenses. In metagames where efficient removal is paramount, this card offers a resilient option for keeping pressure on opponents.
How to beat Mordor Trebuchet
Overcoming the Mordor Trebuchet in your Magic: The Gathering matches requires a strategic approach. Consider the Trebuchet’s ability to deal direct damage which can be a persistent threat on the board. To mitigate this, removal spells are your best bet. Instant-speed removal like Naturalize allows you to dismantle the Trebuchet before it can be activated, thus denying your opponent the chance to use its abilities. Moreover, countering it upon casting can prevent its entry to the battlefield altogether; spells such as Negate or Essence Scatter are perfect for this purpose.
Another angle of approach is to outpace the Trebuchet by rapidly developing your board presence. Deploying creatures with a higher power can shift focus away from the Trebuchet, forcing your opponent to deal with more immediate threats. Additionally, making use of artifacts like Phyrexian Revoker can specifically shut down the Trebuchet by preventing the activation of its abilities, leaving it as little more than a piece of cumbersome siege equipment on the sidelines.
Regardless of the strategy you choose, remember that a well-timed response is key. Anticipate the Trebuchet’s deployment and have answers ready, and you’ll dismantle your opponent’s strategies with the precision of a master tactician.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mordor Trebuchet MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Mordor Trebuchet and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Mordor Trebuchet Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Alexander Forssberg.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Forssberg | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 548 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Forssberg |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mordor Trebuchet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mordor Trebuchet card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | Mordor Trebuchet's controller chooses which player, planeswalker, or battle the token is attacking. It doesn't need to be the same player, planeswalker, or battle that any of the Goblins and/or Orcs are attacking. |