Ogre Menial MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Ogre
Abilities	Infect
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	0
Toughness	4
Number	89
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Rapoza

Key Takeaways

Ogre Menial uses infect to pressure opponents, offering a less conventional path to victory.
Excess mana boosts its power, making it a potential game-ender in the right scenario.
Instant speed enhancement can unexpectedly turn Ogre Menial into a deadly threat.

Text of card

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) : Ogre Menial gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Ogre Menial might not directly allow you to draw cards, its infect ability can be seen as a form of advantage by pressuring opponent’s life totals in an alternative way, counting towards inevitable victory with fewer combat steps.

Resource Acceleration: This creature may not produce mana or treasure tokens, but its firebreathing ability allows you to convert any excess mana into additional damage, effectively turning spare resources into a quicker endgame.

Instant Speed: Ogre Menial’s ability to pump itself at instant speed means you can surprise an unsuspecting opponent during combat, turning what might seem like a harmless attack into a lethal threat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ogre Menial, however, doesn’t have a discard condition, making it somewhat more straightforward to manage.

Specific Mana Cost: Ogre Menial has a definitive mana requirement of one red. This necessity confines it to red-inclined or red-exclusive decks, possibly restricting its versatility across different deck types where it might synergize well with other card effects.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Another consideration is its initial mana cost of four, including three generic and one red mana, to summon. For a creature with a base power of 0, this can be seen as steep, especially when compared with other creatures that can offer more immediate board presence or impact for the same cost or less.

Reasons to Include Ogre Menial in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Menial’s infect ability allows it to sneak past traditional damage resistance, making it a fine addition to strategies that aim to accumulate poison counters on opponents.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to place -1/-1 counters when proliferate or similar mechanics are involved opens the door for interesting interactions and combo setups within the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: In matches where creature-based strategies prevail, Ogre Menial can serve as a useful tool for dealing with larger threats, its mere presence altering the way an opponent might play.

How to beat

Ogre Menial may not be the flashiest card on the battlefield, but its infect ability presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. The ability to place poison counters on your opponent can be game-ending if not checked early. How then can you ensure this creature doesn’t become a thorn in your side? Having blockers with high toughness is an effective way to neutralize Ogre Menial’s impact, as the card alone does not have significant power and needs to pump mana into its firebreathing ability to be a larger threat.

Furthermore, instant-speed removal spells are a superb tactic to handle this creature before it manages to deal combat damage. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch Ogre Menial efficiently, saving your life total and preventing any accumulation of poison counters. Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism also work to hinder Ogre Menial, as they prevent it from attacking without having to remove it from the battlefield.

Denying your opponent the resources needed to enhance Ogre Menial’s power through land destruction or counter spells for mana-producing abilities keeps the creature’s threat low. Outpacing it with a more aggressive or more powerful board state can also reduce its relevance in the game. Ultimately, swift and decisive action against Ogre Menial will ensure it remains a minor nuisance rather than a major threat.

Cards like Ogre Menial

Ogre Menial is an intriguing creature card within the vast array of red spells in Magic: The Gathering. When juxtaposed with similar cards that leverage the infect ability, such as the formidable Phyrexian Crusader, the differences become evident. Phyrexian Crusader stands out due to its protection from red and white, making it a tough target for removal in those colors, whereas Ogre Menial lacks such defenses but offers purity in red mana cost for accessibility in mono-red infect builds.

Another comparable card is the Ichorclaw Myr; while not a direct analogue, as it isn’t Red, it shares the infect characteristic. Ichorclaw Myr’s asset is its ability to become larger when blocked, making it a more aggressive option for players looking to press the offense. The Ogre Menial, however, has the inherent ability to pump its power with its firebreathing effect, allowing for surprise damage increases during combat.

When considering alternatives, Ogre Menial finds its place thanks to the combination of its infect damage potential and its potential for burst damage through mana investment, positioning itself as a unique option for players building around the infect mechanic and favoring red mana strategies.

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

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Menial MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Menial and other MTG cards: