Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress MTG Card
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Snake Shaman |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 233 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Flip |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Scott |
Text of card
, Sacrifice a creature: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.
Cards like Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress
Orochi Eggwatcher, which flips into Shidako, Broodmistress, is an intriguing card in the realm of creature generation within MTG. It shares a kinship with Tendershoot Dryad, as both cards basically focus on putting numerous creature tokens onto the battlefield. However, Orochi Eggwatcher requires an active contribution of mana to create tokens, whereas Tendershoot Dryad steadily amasses an army just by maintaining the city’s blessing.
Dragon Broodmother is another similar card that deals in token generation. The Broodmother, however, does so at the beginning of each upkeep, giving players tokens without needing to tap or spend any resources, albeit at a higher initial casting cost. In contrast, activating Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako’s ability is mana-intensive but allows more control over when and how many tokens you create.
In essence, while each of these creature-generating cards can flourish in the appropriate deck, Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress presents strategists with a more hands-on role in the creation process, requiring ongoing investment for sustained benefits in the game.
Cards similar to Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress showcases its prowess by offering consistent card advantage. By efficiently creating tokens, the card can help you populate the board with fodder for various synergies or to ramp up into more potent threats. This effectively increases the number of cards you control on the battlefield without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Shidako, Broodmistress, the transformed side of the card, is particularly adept at resource acceleration. Its ability to generate a multitude of tokens can feed into sac outlets or mana abilities, elevating your resource generation and allowing you to deploy bigger threats sooner than usual, thus providing a significant tempo boost.
Instant Speed: While Orochi Eggwatcher itself doesn’t function at instant speed, it creates a board presence that can be leveraged on the fly. The snakes and dragons it creates can serve as a surprising line of defense or a means to launch an offensive at opportune moments, giving you the flexibility needed to adapt to the unfolding game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside for players using Orochi Eggwatcher is the need to discard a card, particularly when transforming it into Shidako, Broodmistress. This can prove to be a significant setback, especially in game stages where hand size is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Orochi Eggwatcher requires a commitment to green mana, which could be a hurdle in multicolored decks that are tight on color-fixing. Ensuring the right mana combination may pose a challenge to players during crucial turns.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a conversion requirement from Eggwatcher to Broodmistress that includes the additional cost of three mana, some players may find this mana investment steep. Especially considering alternative creatures or spells in the same cost range that could provide immediate board impact without additional conditions to meet.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress offers diverse usability within a variety of deck types. As an early drop in token-based strategies, it sets the stage for creature-heavy tactics, while its transformed side can act as a formidable threat that scales with your creature count. Both sides of the card can seamlessly integrate into decks with a focus on creature synergies.
Combo Potential: This card possesses intriguing combo possibilities, especially within decks that exploit the creation and sacrifice of creatures. On its front, the Eggwatcher can churn out tokens, which pave the way for various sacrifice-related combos. Turned into Shidako, it becomes a powerhouse that makes your army of creatures increasingly threatening, creating opportunities for explosive turns.
Meta-Relevance: In the ever-shifting landscape of the game where creature-based strategies frequently take center stage, Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress retains its relevance. It’s at home in metagames that reward creature presence on the battlefield, and its ability to switch modes in response to the current board state allows for strategic flexibility against an array of opposing decks.
How to beat
Orochi Eggwatcher, which transforms into Shidako, Broodmistress, is a versatile card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. With its ability to create creature tokens, it becomes critical to manage and limit this token generation. Efficient removal spells are key in handling the Eggwatcher before it flips into the Broodmistress. You’ll want to employ instant-speed interactions such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt to take out the Eggwatcher in its early stages when the mana cost is low.
Once it becomes Shidako, Broodmistress, the threat level increases as it can boost other creatures. Here, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field. Additionally, continuous creature control through cards like Culling Sun can prevent the buildup of tokens and larger threats aided by Shidako’s abilities. Strategic planning and timely reactions are crucial in making sure that the Eggwatcher and its transformed version don’t overrun you.
It’s also advisable to pressure your opponent’s life total early on and disrupt their mana base if possible, limiting their ability to get the most out of Orochi Eggwatcher and its transformation. Always consider that an unchecked Eggwatcher can quickly escalate the game in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress MTG card by a specific set like Champions 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 Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orochi Eggwatcher // Shidako, Broodmistress has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |