Orcish Artillery MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 165
1993-10-04 - Number 166
1993-12-01 - Number 166
1993-12-10 - Number 166
1993-12-10 - Number 166
1994-04-01 - Number 168
1994-04-01 - Number 168
1994-06-21 - Number 168
1995-04-01 - Number 214
1995-04-01 - Number 214
1996-07-01 - Number 35
1996-12-31 - Number 36
1997-03-24 - Number 253
1999-04-21 - Number 196
2001-04-11 - Number 205★
2001-04-11 - Number 205
2003-07-28 - Number 207
2003-07-28 - Number 207★
2005-07-29 - Number 206
2005-07-29 - Number 206★
2007-07-13 - Number 220
2022-11-28 - Number 458
2022-11-28 - Number 161
2020-09-26 - Number 10E-220
| Card sets | Released in 24 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Orc Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Tap to do 2 damage to any target, but you suffer 3 damage as well.
In a rare display of ingenuity, the Orcs invented an incredibly destructive weapon. Most Orcish artillerists are those who dared criticize its effectiveness.
Cards like Orcish Artillery
In the varied landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Orcish Artillery stands out as a unique creature card. This red creature shares thematic and functional similarities with cards like Prodigal Pyromancer and Cunning Sparkmage. Each of these creatures has the ability to deal direct damage to any target—a versatile tool in many game scenarios.
Unlike Prodigal Pyromancer, Orcish Artillery packs a more powerful punch, capable of dealing 2 damage to any target. However, this comes at a price, as it also deals 3 damage to you, the player. The Sparkmage, with a lower damage output, does not have the same drawback, offering a safer but less potent option for pinging opponents or their creatures.
Critical to the strategic use of these cards is the balance between damage output and life conservation. Orcish Artillery has potential for high damage, which can be expertly leveraged in the right deck. Players must weigh these options when choosing the perfect arsenal for their red-based MTG decks.
Cards similar to Orcish Artillery by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Orcish Artillery offers a repeatable source of damage to creatures or players. This efficient utility can contribute to maintaining board control by eliminating key threats turn after turn, essentially trading one card for multiple resources of an opponent over time.
Resource Acceleration: Although Orcish Artillery doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost means it hits the battlefield early. This early presence can dictate the pace of the game, forcing opponents to alter their strategies or use removal spells prematurely, thus indirectly influencing the resource tempo in your favor.
Instant Speed: While the card itself is not an instant, its ability can be activated at instant speed. This gives you significant flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, making it a tactical tool for controlling the state of the game without sacrificing the development of your own strategy.
Card Cons
Self-inflicted Damage: Orcish Artillery can be a double-edged sword as it deals damage not only to your opponent’s creatures or player but also to you. This drawback requires careful consideration when deploying it on the battlefield, especially in situations where your life total is precariously low.
Specific Mana Cost: Orcish Artillery has a mana cost that includes two red and one other, which may not always be readily available in multicolored decks. This restricted mana cost can sometimes delay the casting of the card or necessitate specific lands or mana-fixing spells, limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 1/3 creature, Orcish Artillery’s ability might seem priced appropriately at first glance. However, when you consider the additional cost of self-inflicted damage each time you use its ability, there are more mana-efficient ways to deal damage in red-centric decks that come without the downside of hurting yourself.
Reasons to Include Orcish Artillery in Your Collection
Versatility: Orcish Artillery can be a strategic addition to decks that focus on damage-based control. Its ability to deal damage to both creatures and players adds a layer of tactical flexibility, allowing players to remove threats or directly target opponents.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that amplify damage or benefit from dealing non-combat damage. Its potential to be combined with effects that double damage or protect it from being destroyed makes it a component in niche but powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where smaller creatures are prevalent, Orcish Artillery serves as a formidable obstacle. Its presence on the board can influence opponent’s decisions and possibly deter them from playing lower toughness creatures, giving it relevance in certain metagames.
How to beat
Orcish Artillery introduces a tactical element to the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering with its ability to deal damage to both creatures and players. Its strength lies in the precision it offers, especially in the early to mid-game phases. However, to counter this offensive unit, players need to focus on its downsides. The cost of its ability is not only mana but also a significant amount of life points from the controller. This drawback can be exploited by adopting an aggressive stratagem to pressure the opposing life total.
A strategy that includes swift and evasive creatures can prove effective. They are typically harder for Orcish Artillery to target due to its mana-reliant ability, and they push the opposing player into a position where using the card’s ability could backfire. Moreover, enchantments or effects that reduce or prevent the damage Orcish Artillery can deal could further neutralize its threat. Timing is critical when facing this card; applying continuous pressure can limit an adversary’s options and potentially turn their asset into a liability.
Ultimately, while Orcish Artillery has the potential to control the board, its double-edged nature is a weakness that can be turned against the player if tackled with a tactical offensive and timely disruption.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orcish Artillery MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Orcish Artillery 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
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Printings
The Orcish Artillery Magic the Gathering card was released in 20 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 165 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 166 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 166 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 166 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 166 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 168 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 168 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 168 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 214 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 214 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 11 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 35 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 12 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 36 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 13 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 253 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 14 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 196 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 15 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 205★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 16 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 205 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 17 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 207 | 2003 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 18 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 207★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 19 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 206 | 2003 | Normal | White | Jeff Miracola | |
| 20 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 206★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Miracola | |
| 21 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 220 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Miracola | |
| 22 | The List | PLST | 10E-220 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Miracola | ||
| 23 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 458 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 24 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 161 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orcish Artillery has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Orcish Artillery card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You do not take the 3 points of damage if the ability doesn’t resolve because the target is illegal. |