Ondu Greathorn MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 40
2019-11-07 - Number 187
2020-09-26 - Number BFZ-40
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | First strike,Landfall |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Ondu Greathorn’s Landfall can provide frequent power boosts within a single turn, strengthening board control.
- Its synergistic potential with instant-speed land spells offers a tactical advantage during combat phases.
- Despite its power, the card’s need for specific mana and higher casting cost can limit deck flexibility.
Text of card
First strike Landfall — Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, Ondu Greathorn gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
"May your horns get lodged in an Eldrazi's bony face, ornery brute!" —Bruse Tarl, Goma Fada nomad
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ondu Greathorn’s Landfall ability activates multiple times per turn, giving potential for multiple boosts in a single round, enhancing board presence cumulatively.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, the Landfall-triggered ability offers a cost-effective method to scale up your creature’s power without investing additional resources, thus optimizing your in-game mana usage.
Instant Speed: While Ondu Greathorn itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells that place lands onto the battlefield during the opponent’s turn. This interaction utilizes the surprise element by unexpectedly increasing Ondu Greathorn’s power, potentially altering the outcome of blocks and attacks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ondu Greathorn requires a card from hand to be discarded for its ability to trigger, which might deplete your resources, particularly when you’re managing a tight hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Ondu Greathorn demands a specific White mana for casting. This could pose a challenge for multicolor decks that may not always have White mana readily accessible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher side, Ondu Greathorn might not be as mana-efficient compared to other creatures in its mana range, potentially slowing down your board development.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ondu Greathorn offers flexibility in deck building, fitting well within aggressive strategies that benefit from its landfall ability to become an even larger threat on the board.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that capitalize on landfall triggers, allowing for multiple buffs in a single turn as you play additional lands, further amplifying its impact during the game.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing landscape of the game, Ondu Greathorn holds its own by posing a significant threat to slower decks, keeping pace with the meta that favors quick and substantial board presence. Its usefulness can swing games in your favor, especially in a meta filled with similarly paced creatures.
How to Beat Ondu Greathorn
Ondu Greathorn shines in MTG decks focused on landfall, gaining first strike until the end of the turn whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control. This can make it a formidable opponent in combat. To outmaneuver Ondu Greathorn, consider employing flying or reach creatures that can block it without engaging in direct combat.
Alternatively, removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or exile effects, can effectively handle Ondu Greathorn without triggering its landfall ability. Counterspells are also an efficient strategy to prevent this creature from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Efficient card selection and a well-timed removal or counter can maintain control over the game and keep the advantage on your side, outpacing the potential threat posed by Ondu Greathorn.
Remember, anticipating landfall triggers and having the right answer at the perfect moment are key to overcoming creatures with abilities that can quickly shift the battle in their favor.
Cards like Ondu Greathorn
Ondu Greathorn is a creature card in Magic: The Gathering that brings a unique aspect to the table, primarily through its first strike and landfall abilities. This card is reminiscent of other creatures like Akoum Warrior. While both cards thrive on landfall mechanics, Akoum Warrior boasts a higher power and toughness, at the cost of a greater mana investment.
When we consider Territorial Scythecat, there’s an apparent similarity in landfall bonuses. The Scythecat gains a +1/+1 counter with each landfall, compared to the temporary first strike advantage offered by Ondu Greathorn. Although Ondu Greathorn’s first strike provides an excellent combat advantage, the permanent boost to the Scythecat’s strength can compound over time to a more substantial board presence.
Similarly, Makindi Sliderunner presents itself as another comparable card due to its trample ability coupled with landfall, offering both an aggressive strategy and direct potential damage. Ondu Greathorn stands out by granting a more defensive edge with its first strike. Ultimately, each card serves a strategic role depending on the player’s deck dynamics and game approach.
Cards similar to Ondu Greathorn by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ondu Greathorn MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Mystery Booster, 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 Ondu Greathorn and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ondu Greathorn Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 187 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | BFZ-40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ondu Greathorn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ondu Greathorn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | A landfall ability triggers whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control for any reason. It triggers whenever you play a land, as well as whenever a spell or ability puts a land onto the battlefield under your control. |
| 2015-08-25 | If the ability has an additional or replacement effect that depends on the land having a certain basic land type, the ability will check that land’s type as the ability resolves. If, at that time, the land that entered the battlefield is no longer on the battlefield, use its types when it left the battlefield to determine what happens. |
| 2015-08-25 | When a land enters the battlefield under your control, each landfall ability of the permanents you control will trigger. You can put them on the stack in any order. The last ability you put on the stack will be the first one to resolve. |
