Ovika, Enigma Goliath MTG Card


Ovika’s ability to amass cards can significantly bolster player options and hand size. Acts as a resource accelerator on the battlefield, ramping up creature plays. Imposing presence of Ovika forces opponents to act at instant speed.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Phyrexian Nightmare
Abilities Flying,Ward
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Flying Ward—, Pay 3 life. Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, create X 1/1 red Phyrexian Goblin creature tokens, where X is the mana value of that spell. They gain haste until end of turn.


Cards like Ovika, Enigma Goliath

Ovika Enigma Goliath steps onto the battlefield as a formidable force in MTG, reminiscent of other heavy-hitters in the game. This creature card bears a resemblance to the likes of Ghalta, Primal Hunger, both boasting impressive power and toughness that can dominate the game. However, Ovika Enigma Goliath enhances the player’s arsenal with its adaptability, able to adjust its strength based on the number of creatures controlling a certain type. Unlike Ghalta, which reduces its casting cost in context to the power of the creatures you control, Ovika requires a diverse ecosystem on your side of the battlefield to unleash its full potential.

A closer examination introduces us to Verdant Sun’s Avatar — another creature that impacts the game’s state significantly. While Verdant Sun’s Avatar provides life gain according to its power, Ovika’s dynamic tuning allows for a more versatile application in game strategies. Ovika may not offer direct life gain, yet the flexibility offered in terms of battlefield presence may outweigh the apparent benefits of the Avatar’s abilities in certain deck builds.

Ovika Enigma Goliath carves a unique niche among MTG’s giant creatures, providing an ever-evolving threat that commands respect on the board. It may share features with giants of MTG’s past, but its unique trait of enhancement through diversity sets it apart, establishing it as a distinct and formidable option in Magic: The Gathering.

Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Verdant Sun's Avatar - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Verdant Sun's Avatar - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Ovika, Enigma Goliath. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis ReanimatorGrixis Reanimator GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ovika Enigma Goliath allows for the potential to draw multiple cards. Specifically, its ability to reveal the top cards of your library and put any number of creature cards with different names into your hand can drastically increase your options and hand size.

Resource Acceleration: As a behemoth on the battlefield, Ovika Enigma Goliath provides a form of resource acceleration with its inherent power and toughness. With every attack, it grants an opportunity to play additional creatures without paying their mana costs, effectively ramping your board presence and allowing you to utilize your mana elsewhere.

Instant Speed: The capabilities of Ovika are utilized at sorcery speed, yet its existence on the board compels instant-speed responses from opponents. While it doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, the sheer threat it imposes can put opponents in a position where they must act quickly, altering the pace of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Ovika Enigma Goliath demands a card discard to unleash its full potential. This cost of entry can be steep, especially when your hand is already dwindling. For players relying on a substantial hand size for strategic maneuvers, this prerequisite may disrupt their gameplay rhythm and force tough decisions on which cards to forfeit.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck diversity is an asset in MTG, yet Ovika Enigma Goliath’s specific mana colors can curtail this versatility. Requiring a particular blend of mana means that integrating it into multi-color decks demands careful mana base considerations to avoid being stranded with an unplayable card at critical moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for summoning Ovika Enigma Goliath is on the higher end. While the creature it brings to the fray is formidable, savvy players may weigh its cost against other giants in the game, questioning whether the resources could be more efficiently allocated to creatures or spells that provide swifter board impact or broader utility.


Reasons to Include Ovika Enigma Goliath in Your Collection

Versatility: Ovika Enigma Goliath offers great flexibility for deck builders due to its inherent adaptability across various strategies within the game. Its massive stature and presence in the game can turn the tide in your favor regardless of the opponent’s deck type.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with multiple game mechanics that capitalize on high power creatures. It can be the cornerstone of combos that rely on creature size or enable various power-based triggers to gain an overwhelming advantage on the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing dynamics of the MTG competitive landscape, Ovika Enigma Goliath is poised to make a substantial impact. Its relevance in the current meta cannot be overstated as it can match up well against prevalent deck archetypes and provide a decisive edge in combat scenarios.


How to Beat Ovika Enigma Goliath

Ovika Enigma Goliath enters the Magic: The Gathering scene as a commander’s dream, boasting formidable power that can dictate the tempo of the game. Its stat line is intimidating, and it grants you card advantage by allowing you to play with the top card of your library revealed, and you may cast the top card of your library if it’s a creature card of the chosen type.

To outmaneuver this behemoth, focus on consistent removal strategies. Utilize cards that can bypass its bulk, such as exile effects or those that don’t target, such as board wipes. Magic’s repository has answers like Path to Exile or Wrath of God, which can effectively handle Ovika’s might. Keeping Ovika off the board limits your opponent’s access to their library’s top creatures, thus stalling their game plan. Be mindful of the timing; disrupting your opponent’s resources before Ovika can make an impact on the battlefield is crucial. A well-timed counterspell when they attempt to cast Ovika can also turn the tides.

Deck construction with sideboard cards equipped to deal with large creatures can make a significant difference. Thus, being prepared for the Ovika Enigma Goliath can keep it from overwhelming you and help maintain control of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The synergy and presence Ovika Enigma Goliath brings to the table has been dissected – its pros like card advantage, resource acceleration, and its undeniable gravity that demands instant-speed answers all stand out. On the flip side, the cons are evident too – a taxing discard requirement, specific mana colors, and the significant mana cost could hamper some strategies. However, its versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance are powerful reasons to slot this Goliath into your collection. When preparing to face it, arm your deck with effective removals and counters. We invite you to delve deeper into developing strategies around Ovika Enigma Goliath or defending against it. Discover more tips and tricks to optimize your gameplay with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ovika, Enigma Goliath MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One Promos and Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Ovika, Enigma Goliath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ovika, Enigma Goliath Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 213p2015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 2132015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo
32023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 3222015NormalBorderlessDominik Mayer
42023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 213s2015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 4742015NormalBorderlessDominik Mayer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ovika, Enigma Goliath has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ovika, Enigma Goliath card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-02-04 While on the stack, the value of X chosen for a spell with an in its mana cost is included when determining the mana value of that spell.