Ogre Recluse MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 113 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jim Murray |
Text of card
Whenever a player plays a spell, tap Ogre Recluse.
"Those ogres who did not embrace oni worship were cast out, cursed, and forced into hermitage, waiting for the day the oni would come for them." —*The History of Kamigawa*
Cards like Ogre Recluse
Ogre Recluse presents an interesting dynamic on the battlefield that players who enjoy controlling the flow of the game can appreciate. It shares some common ground with creatures like Anger, which grants all your creatures haste as long as it’s in the graveyard and you control a Mountain. However, Ogre Recluse’s ability is more prohibitive, forcibly casting spells only during the controller’s turn. This can be a double-edged sword, limiting instant spells’ potential while providing a stout 4/4 body for only four mana.
Considering other creatures of similar cost and impact, we look at cards like Torbran, Thane of Red Fell. Torbran doesn’t restrict spell casting but instead amplifies red damage output, potentially offering a different strategy for winning. Then there’s Avalanche Riders, which, for the same mana cost as Ogre Recluse, offers land destruction and haste but with a lower power and toughness, providing a useful but more situational utility.
Through analyzing these comparisons, Ogre Recluse stands out due to its impact on gameplay style, challenging players to adapt to its limitations while leveraging its sizable presence for a relatively low mana cost – shaping it as a viable option in decks designed to work within its unique constraints.
Cards similar to Ogre Recluse by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ogre Recluse offers a distinct edge by allowing you to potentially remove an opponent’s creature, turning a single card play into a two-for-one scenario. Such exchanges ensure you’re ahead in the game and can maintain a stronger board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While the Ogre Recluse itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its relatively low casting cost for its power level means you can deploy a significant threat early in the game, pressure your opponent, and keep your mana open for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: The power of Ogre Recluse isn’t linked to instant speed directly; however, its low casting cost allows for a more flexible mana base, thus enabling you to respond with other instant speed spells in your arsenal more readily, keeping your opponent guessing and unable to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ogre Recluse requires a discard from your hand whenever it is cast, which can deplete your resources, making it less ideal in a tight match where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature comes with a color-specific mana cost that demands heavy red commitment, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-red decks or those with a substantial red component and mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its higher mana cost for its vanilla stats, Ogre Recluse competes with other creatures and spells in its mana range that may offer additional abilities or effects, thus potentially making it a less efficient choice for your deck’s curve.
Reasons to Include Ogre Recluse in Your Collection
Versatility: Ogre Recluse fits well in decks that are designed to manipulate the combat phase, as its mechanic of forcing creatures to attack each turn can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while providing you with a sizable creature.
Combo Potential: This card works effectively in tandem with strategies that benefit from guaranteed combat, such as triggering “Raid” or “Battalion” abilities, or leveraging cards that punish tapped creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-focused tactics, Ogre Recluse serves as a reliable force that can consistently challenge board states and compel opponents into unfavorable attacks or blocks.
How to beat
Ogre Recluse presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its power to forcibly keep other creatures from attacking, it forces players to strategize very differently. To effectively navigate against an Ogre Recluse, players should consider using removal spells that can bypass its straightforward but potent effect. Spells like Path to Exile or Murder are particularly efficient since they don’t rely on the combat phase to eliminate a threat.
Focusing on non-creature strategies could also provide an advantage. Enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers operate on a different axis from Ogre Recluse’s restrictive ability. Leveraging these types of cards could circumvent the need to attack and block with creatures altogether, reducing the Recluse’s impact. Cards such as Oblivion Ring also offer a neat solution, removing it from play without the need for combat.
In summation, although Ogre Recluse can disrupt traditional creature-based strategies, its power is not absolute. A well-designed deck with a mix of instant-speed removal and non-creature threats can handle the Recluse efficiently, keeping the path clear for victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ogre Recluse MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Recluse and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ogre Recluse has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |