Mosscoat Goriak MTG Card

Mosscoat Goriak provides toughness and reach, effectively countering flying creatures and enhancing battlefield control. Its specific green mana cost can limit deck flexibility, particularly in multicolor deck strategies. Despite mana-cost concerns, Goriak’s defensive utility makes it a worthy consideration for green-focused decks.
Mosscoat Goriak - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Vigilance
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number167
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDan Scott

Text of card

Vigilance

"Goriaks are as stubborn and hardy as I'd expect of a large herbivore in a wetland habitat. But I never expected them to have such beautiful voices!" —Vivien Reid

Cards like Mosscoat Goriak

Mosscoat Goriak finds its place in Magic: The Gathering as a nature-themed creature. When observed alongside cards like Arboreal Grazer, we notice the Goriak doesn’t set lands onto the battlefield. However, both cards share the same mana value and a love for the forest. Arboreal Grazer provides an immediate, albeit one-time benefit, whereas Mosscoat Goriak offers consistent defense with its vigilance ability.

Considering Basking Rootwalla, another green creature within a similar mana range, Mosscoat Goriak stands out for its steadfast presence. Basking Rootwalla, although it can become more powerful temporarily, it lacks the endurance the Goriak presents by remaining alert and ready to block. Additionally, Silhana Wayfinder may also be compared as it helps manipulate the top of your library but doesn’t provide the same defensive capabilities as our vigilant Goriak.

Ultimately, Mosscoat Goriak’s virtue lies in its resilience on the battlefield as a vigilant blocker. While similar low mana creatures provide diverse utility, the Goriak excels in its role, securing its position within green creature decks valuing defense and board presence.

Arboreal Grazer - MTG Card versions
Basking Rootwalla - MTG Card versions
Silhana Wayfinder - MTG Card versions
Arboreal Grazer - MTG Card versions
Basking Rootwalla - MTG Card versions
Silhana Wayfinder - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability of Mosscoat Goriak to consistently block stronger creatures without taking damage is a practical form of card advantage. It can help you preserve your life total while maintaining presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly related to resource acceleration, the Mosscoat Goriak’s cost-efficiency for its size enables you to deploy other threats or hold mana for responses without sacrificing board development.

Instant Speed: While the Mosscoat Goriak isn’t an instant itself, its Reach and Vigilance abilities grant it a form of reactive utility, allowing your Goriak to be ready to interrupt opponents’ plans, especially flying creatures, at any moment during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Mosscoat Goriak is that it necessitates a discard to benefit fully from its ability. This can be quite the hurdle when your hand is already depleted, or every card you hold is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Mosscoat Goriak requires a precise mana arrangement to cast, including green mana. This could be restrictive, as players running multicolor decks might find it challenging to consistently meet the green mana requirement early in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the evolution of the game, players have access to an array of creatures that cost less to cast and offer comparable or better stats and abilities. Mosscoat Goriak’s mana cost sits at the higher end of the spectrum for its creature type and abilities, potentially making it a less optimal choice in a highly competitive deck.

Reasons to Include Mosscoat Goriak in Your Collection

Versatility: The Mosscoat Goriak is a solid defender with reach, making it a useful addition to decks aiming to halt aggressive flyers. Its adaptability shines in both offensive and defensive roles within various green deck builds.

Combo Potential: As a creature, this card interacts well with mechanics that care about the number of creatures you control or those that capitalize on summoning creatures. Mosscoat Goriak can be a key piece in these combinatorial strategies, particularly in decks leveraging creature synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where small flying creatures dominate, Mosscoat Goriak serves as an excellent counter on the battlefield. It can provide a valuable edge in matches where controlling the board from the early game onwards determines the victor.

How to beat

Mosscoat Goriak has emerged as a sturdy creature in the green card lineup of Magic: The Gathering. Its appeal lies in its resilience, thanks to a robust defensive stat line and the reach ability allowing it to block flying threats effectively. Yet despite its defensive prowess, players have developed strategies to outmaneuver this steadfast guardian.

Combat tricks that alter power and toughness are crucial tools in bypassing the Goriak’s defenses. Spells like Shock or Lightning Strike can swiftly remove it from the field before it establishes dominance. In the case of evasion, enchantments such as Spectra Ward or removals like Pacifism can neutralize the Goriak, turning it into a mere bystander on the battlefield.

Utilizing such spells and abilities allows players to handle the Mosscoat Goriak efficiently. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is vital to becoming adept at navigating against this card and integrating such tactics into one’s strategy can decisively turn the tides of a game. It’s clear that while the Mosscoat Goriak is a reliable guard, it is not an insurmountable obstacle with the right approach.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mosscoat Goriak MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Mosscoat Goriak and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mosscoat Goriak has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.