Orcish Conscripts MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 206
1997-03-24 - Number 255
2008-09-22 - Number 140
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Orc |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Cannot be declared as attacking unless at least two other creatures are also declared as attacking. Cannot be assigned to block unless at least two other creatures are also assigned to block.
Cards like Orcish Conscripts
Orcish Conscripts holds a unique place in the vast assortment of creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other cards like Raging Goblin in terms of a low mana cost meant to deploy creatures quickly. However, Orcish Conscripts takes an interesting deviation with their rule that they can’t attack unless at least two other creatures attack — a stipulation you won’t find with the straight-shooting Raging Goblin.
Spotlighting another card, the Brassclaw Orcs, we find a parallel with the caveat of requiring company to attack just like the Orcish Conscripts. However, Brassclaw Orcs are not quite as restrictive, allowing attack as long as you control another orc. Delving deeper into the red creature pool, we see that Goblin War Drums offers a similar effect by giving all your creatures menace, indirectly encouraging a group attack tactic, leveraging the swarm strategy common with reds.
While each card has its role, Orcish Conscripts showcases a distinct blend of cost efficiency and conditional aggression. This positions it interestingly among red creature cards for players looking to capitalize on the concept of strength in numbers.
Cards similar to Orcish Conscripts by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Orcish Conscripts does not directly allow you to draw cards, its low cost and potential for reuse in certain deck builds can indirectly lead to card advantage. By efficiently managing your swarm of conscripts, you maintain pressure without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Orcish Conscripts’ cheap mana cost facilitates a swifter deployment of threats, acting as a resource acceleration by allowing you to allocate mana towards other spells sooner. In decks designed to capitalize on numerous cheap creatures, this can translate into a powerful tempo play.
Instant Speed: While Orcish Conscripts is not an instant itself, it pairs well with instant speed spells. It fits within strategies that leave mana open to react during an opponent’s turn, as you can commit a minimal amount of mana to the board, and follow up with instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Orcish Conscripts necessitates discarding another Orc card as a condition for unleashing its potential. This stipulation can be burdensome when your hand is already sparse, placing you at a strategic disadvantage by forcing you to deplete valuable resources that might otherwise be crucial in later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a rigid mana cost, Orcish Conscripts demands both red and colorless mana, which may not always gel well in decks that splash multiple colors or those that heavily rely on flexibility. Decks with a wider color palette might find it challenging to consistently meet the mana prerequisites to play the card.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential for immediate impact on the battlefield, the card comes with a comparatively high mana cost for a creature of its caliber. In the fast-paced environment of competitive MTG, players might opt for creatures with lower casting costs or those with abilities that offer a more significant advantage for the investment.
Reasons to Include Orcish Conscripts in Your Collection
Versatility: Orcish Conscripts doesn’t require a specific deck theme but adds value to decks that capitalize on aggressive strategies. Its ability to attack as long as it’s not alone makes it a fitting addition for decks focusing on swarm tactics or red-based aggression.
Combo Potential: The card holds potential for combos particularly in decks that can consistently control the number of creatures attacking or manipulate attack phases. Its design allows creative synergy with cards that enable multiple attack steps or grant additional combat benefits.
Meta-Relevance: For metagames that are saturated with heavy control or late-game win conditions, bringing Orcish Conscripts to the fray opens opportunities for early game pressure and fast-paced wins, especially when the battlefield is kept populated with allies to negate its condition.
How to Beat Orcish Conscripts
The Orcish Conscripts card can be a sizeable obstacle on the battlefield if left unchecked. Notably, these creatures require two others to announce an attack, creating a very specific condition for them to become combat-effective. This limitation naturally points to the use of removal spells, a staple strategy for handling such cards. Direct damage spells like Shock, or targeted removal spells like Murder, can efficiently deal with the Orcish Conscripts before they form a threatening offensive.
Control strategies shine against the Orcish Conscripts as well. By limiting the number of creatures your opponent controls, you reduce the chances of the Orcish Conscripts turning aggressive. Sweeper spells like Wrath of God or Damnation will clear the board, leaving the Conscripts with no allies to aid in their attack. Plus, enchantments that pacify or continuously tap creatures can prevent the Conscripts from ever becoming attackers, nullifying the threat they pose.
Overall, recognizing the situational power of the Orcish Conscripts is key. They can command the board if the conditions are met, yet with the right tactics and timely interventions, you can keep them in check and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orcish Conscripts MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Conscripts 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
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Printings
The Orcish Conscripts Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Douglas Shuler.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 206 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 255 | 1997 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 140 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orcish Conscripts has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |