Ochran Assassin MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deploying Ochran Assassin onto the battlefield can offer a unique form of card advantage. With its ability to force multiple creatures to block it, the Ochran Assassin often creates favorable combat scenarios, effectively acting as a removal spell that can potentially clear out several of an opponent’s creatures with a single combat phase.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ochran Assassin doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, it serves as a strategic play that can disrupt your opponent’s board presence. By attacking with the Assassin and triggering its ability, the path is cleared for your other creatures to attack with less fear of reprisal, allowing for more aggressive resource deployment in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Ochran Assassin itself isn’t an instant, the flexibility it offers in combat pairs well with instant speed spells. The mere presence of an Ochran Assassin can deter opponents from attacking or incentivize them to overcommit on their turn, which an astute player can capitalize on using instant speed removal or combat tricks to further tilt the combat phase in their favor.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Ochran Assassin’s casting cost requires both green and black mana which ties it closely to Golgari decks. This specificity can be constraining for players seeking to integrate it into multicolored or other two-color combinations that don’t include these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its abilities, Ochran Assassin may be considered to have a high mana cost. Three mana, one of which is multicolored, might be too steep for the effect it provides, especially when there are other creatures that might perform similar battlefield roles for less mana.

Discard Requirement: While not a direct discard requirement, Ochran Assassin can put players in a situation where they might have to choose between keeping it on the field or playing more impactful cards in the early game—contributing to a form of indirect discard dilemma due to mana constraints.

Reasons to Include Ochran Assassin in Your Collection

Versatility: Ochran Assassin is a flexible card that can be slotted into various decks. Its ability to force each creature your opponent controls to block it if able makes it a versatile tool for disrupting enemy formations and creating favorable combat scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card works wonders in combinations, pairing well with effects that trigger upon creatures dying or dealing damage. It can single-handedly enable mass removal-like conditions when used with deathtouch boosters or board-wiping spells, clearing the way for a decisive victory.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that’s creature-heavy or where board states become cluttered, Ochran Assassin shines by opening paths for your larger threats. It holds its ground, especially when the game’s pace slows, and setting up a board advantage becomes critical for winning.

How to beat

Ochran Assassin stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an unassuming yet potent creature card capable of forcing a player’s entire army into unwanted combat. With its deathtouch ability, it can become a pesky obstacle, taking down any number of blockers if not handled correctly. This can shift the board state drastically in your opponent’s favor and lead to potential game-winning scenarios.

Countering this card requires strategic planning, prioritizing removal spells or abilities that can bypass its lethal combat engagement. Using instant-speed spells like Path to Exile or Murder can eliminate the Ochran Assassin without entering the combat phase. From the green spectrum, a card such as Prey Upon can have your creature tackle the Assassin before it declares an attack, thus preserving your army. Additionally, employing creatures with hexproof or shroud denies the possibility for the Assassin to lock in combat, maintaining a line of defense against its forceful attack strategy.

Understanding the threat of Ochran Assassin helps players prepare accordingly. With appropriate measures in place, this crafty creature becomes less daunting to handle, ensuring the momentum of the game stays within your grasp.

BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the strategic nuances of MTG can significantly enhance your gameplay, especially with cards like Ochran Assassin. Its ability to skew combat in your favor brings a tactical edge, demanding smart deck synergy and battlefield awareness. Should you aim to exploit its disruptiveness or seek ways to counter its threats, there’s much to learn and employ. Join our community where we share insights, strategy breakdowns, and deck-building tips to refine your plays. Master the plays of Ochran Assassin and other unique cards—take your MTG experience to new heights with BurnMana.