Oreskos Swiftclaw MTG Card
2014-05-02 - Number 20
2014-07-18 - Number 22
2018-07-13 - Number 31
2019-11-07 - Number 189
2020-09-26 - Number M15-22
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Warrior |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Oreskos Swiftclaw
Oreskos Swiftclaw is an intriguing creature card renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness in Magic: The Gathering. It sits alongside other two-mana creatures such as Savannah Lions, which has always been a benchmark for aggressive one-drop creatures. Oreskos Swiftclaw, however, offers an additional point of power for just one more mana, making it a formidable early combat presence.
Comparable in impact, Elite Vanguard shares the same cost and power but swaps one toughness for the human soldier tag, opening up tribal synergies. While not a direct functional reprint, Oreskos Swiftclaw provides similar advantages, offering an aggressive start for white decks looking to rush down opponents. Another card worth mentioning is Fencing Ace, which although it sports lower starting power, has double strike, potentially dealing more damage over time especially when combined with buffs or equipment.
Assessing these options, we can see that Oreskos Swiftclaw provides a solid combination of power and speed for its cost, holding its own within the collection of two-drop creatures in Magic: The Gathering without any conditional requirements, making it a reliable choice for players building a white-based aggressive deck.
Cards similar to Oreskos Swiftclaw by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Even though Oreskos Swiftclaw itself does not directly provide card advantage, its efficiency can pressure opponents into unfavorable trades or use of removal spells, indirectly tipping the card advantage scale in your favor by dealing with more costly cards.
Resource Acceleration: Oreskos Swiftclaw’s low cost allows for a rapid deployment on the battlefield. This early presence can accelerate your board state, granting you the resources in the form of an offensive threat while conserving mana for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: While Oreskos Swiftclaw isn’t played at instant speed, its presence influences how you can hold mana up for other instant-speed interactions. Knowing you have a solid threat on board, you may strategically pass turns with mana untapped, poised to react instantaneously to your opponent’s moves.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Oreskos Swiftclaw requires an exact mana combination to cast, which could restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that might not always have the white mana readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the fast-paced environment of the game, the mana ratio to power and toughness might not be as efficient. There are creatures available that offer better stats or additional abilities at a similar mana cost, making it less appealing for streamlined deck strategies.
Discard Requirement: Although Oreskos Swiftclaw itself does not have a discard requirement, its vanilla nature—lacking any form of card advantage or utility—can indirectly lead players to discard it in favor of more impactful cards when optimizing hand resources during gameplay.
Reasons to Include Oreskos Swiftclaw in Your Collection
Versatility: Oreskos Swiftclaw is a lean, well-costed creature that slots easily into a variety of White-based aggressive strategies. Its 3/1 stats for two mana make it a solid option for exerting early game pressure, easily fitting into decks that aim for a quick and focused start.
Combo Potential: With its Cat subtype, Oreskos Swiftclaw works well within tribal synergies, particularly pairing with cards designed to bolster felines or creatures. It’s a natural inclusion in decks looking to capitalize on those tribal interactions, from pumping effects to deck-wide enhancements.
Meta-Relevance: In certain metagames where the pace is swift and early board presence is key, having an efficient two-drop like Oreskos Swiftclaw can be integral to staying ahead. While the card may not lead the pack in all environments, it holds its own when combat-centric games dominate play.
How to beat
Oreskos Swiftclaw is a common creature card that has earned its place in a variety of MTG decks, particularly those aiming for a fast, aggressive approach. Aside from being a 3/1 for two mana, which is a good value in terms of power to cost ratio, it carries no inherent protections or abilities that make it difficult to remove. It can quickly become a threat if not addressed early on, especially if enhanced with auras or equipment.
To effectively counter Oreskos Swiftclaw, one strategy would be to utilize cheap removal spells, such as Shock or Fatal Push, to eliminate it before it can deal significant damage. Another approach would be through the use of blockers with higher toughness; since Swiftclaw only has one toughness, even the slightest blocker can take it down. Slowing down the game also works to your advantage, as Oreskos Swiftclaw is most threatening in the early stages of the game. Therefore, establishing control and transitioning into the mid to late game will naturally diminish its impact.
Understanding the tempo and interactions is key. Oreskos Swiftclaw can be a formidable early adversary, but once you clear these initial hurdles, its effectiveness wanes, allowing you to take control and pull ahead in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Oreskos Swiftclaw MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Magic 2015, 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 Oreskos Swiftclaw 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 Oreskos Swiftclaw Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by James Ryman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-05-02 | Journey into Nyx | JOU | 20 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 3 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 31 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | M15-22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Oreskos Swiftclaw has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |