Crashing Centaur MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Centaur
Abilities	Threshold
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	235
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eric Peterson

Key Takeaways

Card advantage from Crashing Centaur comes from forcing multiple resources to be spent by opponents to handle it.
Instant speed trample capability allows for combat surprises and can significantly affect the outcome of battles.
Strategic play with removal spells like Path to Exile is key to overcoming Crashing Centaur’s defensive strengths.

Text of card

o G, Discard a card from your hand: Crashing Centaur gains trample until end of turn. Threshold Crashing Centaur gets +2/+2 and can't be the target of spells or abilities. (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Crashing Centaur doesn’t have a direct built-in card draw ability, it does offer card advantage by being a durable threat that requires an answer. Its resilience means opponents often have to use more than one resource to deal with it, ultimately giving you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Crashing Centaur itself may not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping mana, but it can quickly change the momentum of the game. Its threshold ability makes it a formidable creature that can dominate the battlefield if left unchecked, effectively accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: The key feature of Crashing Centaur is its ability to gain trample at instant speed when threshold is reached, giving it a substantial edge during combat. This surprise factor can turn the tides by allowing for unexpected damage and forcing opponents to rethink blocks and attacks on the fly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crashing Centaur comes with the sacrifice of a card which can pose a drawback when your hand size is dwindling. This cost can upset your game plan, especially if you’re already facing a scarcity of options in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a precise combination of green mana, Crashing Centaur may prove to be a challenging fit in multi-colored decks. Its mana requirements might restrict its playability, and force deck-builders to consider mana fixing solutions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its stats and abilities, there are other creatures in the same mana range that could provide you with a greater impact on the board or deliver more value. This cost calculation becomes fundamental when strategizing for optimal play.

Reasons to Include Crashing Centaur in Your Collection

Versatility: Crashing Centaur offers flexibility in deck building, being a creature card with threshold that turns it into an indestructible force. This enables it to fit snugly into a variety of green-based decks or as part of a creature-focused lineup.

Combo Potential: With threshold, this card gains the power of protection from being targeted by spells or abilities, opening up synergies with other cards that thrive when you have a durable creature on the battlefield. This could stimulate combos with various enchantments or equipment.

Meta-Relevance: For players facing lots of removal heavy strategies, Crashing Centaur can easily find its place. It becomes a strong contender in matches where surviving targeted spells can tilt the scales in your favor, reinforcing its pertinence in certain decks within the current meta.

How to beat

Crashing Centaur presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield, cleverly combining resilience and flexibility in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to gain trample at the cost of discarding a card, it can be a persistent threat, especially as it can morph, hiding its potential from unsuspecting opponents. This morphing capability, reminiscent of the mechanic from the Onslaught block, adds an element of surprise and strategy.

Defeating Crashing Centaur requires a well-thought-out approach. Cards with exile effects, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, bypass its regeneration ability entirely, removing it from the game without triggering its regenerative qualities. Utilizing spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can also be effective, circumventing the hurdle of targeting it directly. It’s essential to maintain board control and be mindful of the centaur’s ability to morph, planning your moves to prevent it from gaining the upper hand with its trample ability.

In essence, countering Crashing Centaur demands strategy over brute force. By employing the right spells and tactics, you can negate its advantages and secure your position in the game, illustrating the importance of adaptability and foresight in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Crashing Centaur

Crashing Centaur is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers both offensive and defensive utility. It shares traits with fellow creature cards such as Blastoderm, known for its fading mechanic which limits its time on the battlefield. Where Crashing Centaur sets itself apart is its threshold ability, turning it into an imposing threat once the graveyard is stocked with the requisite number of cards.

In comparison, Basking Rootwalla also carries a costing advantage and comes at a lower initial mana value. Although it lacks the same staying power, the Rootwalla can pump its value in a pinch. Then, there’s Wild Mongrel, an adaptable beast that doesn’t boast the same overall power but can be instrumental in enabling the threshold ability of Crashing Centaur.

Ultimately, when comparing these cards, Crashing Centaur holds its own due to its potential for becoming an unstoppable force in the late game. Not only is it a creature that can become a substantial attacker, but its self-protection mechanism makes it a resilient component in any MTG player’s deck that leverages graveyard strategies.

Cards similar to Crashing Centaur by color, type and mana cost

Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions

Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions

Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crashing Centaur MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Crashing Centaur and other MTG cards: