Ovinomancer MTG Card


Gains card advantage by turning opponent creatures into sheep, aiding in long-term game control. Instant speed ability disrupts opponents, offering strategic flexibility during crucial moments. Highly specific mana requirements may limit its inclusion across various deck types.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 0
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Ovinomancer enters the battlefield, sacrifice it unless you return three basic lands you control to their owner's hand. , Return Ovinomancer to its owner's hand: Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. That creature's controller creates a 0/1 green Sheep creature token.


Cards like Ovinomancer

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Ovinomancer offers a unique twist on creature control. Its closest counterparts are cards like Turn to Frog and Pongify, which also focus on neutering opponent threats. Turn to Frog has an edge with its lower mana cost and instant speed, transforming a creature into a harmless 1/1 frog until end of turn. Pongify, although requiring a single blue mana, permanently converts the creature into a 3/3 Ape, which can be a double-edged sword.

Comparatively, Ovinomancer requires a more strategic setup with its return-to-hand ability and the summoning of a 0/1 Sheep token as a replacement for the creature. This involves some setup but can lead to repeatable creature control, albeit at a slower pace. Capsize, another similar card, while not transforming creatures, offers a recurring bounce effect but lacks the permanent creature downgrade supplied by Ovinomancer.

When considering utility and versatility in Magic: The Gathering, Ovinomancer stands out for its quirky and repeatable creature control ability. However, it requires a careful deck-building strategy to outshine its instantaneous or less restrictive counterparts.

Turn to Frog - MTG Card versions
Pongify - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Turn to Frog - MTG Card versions
Pongify - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions

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Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sneak SurvivalSneak Survival PremodernMisty Premodern Winter Finals

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ovinomancer provides value each time it’s activated by effectively converting a creature into an asset for future plays, aiding in sustaining momentum over the course of the game.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not providing direct mana acceleration, the sheep tokens created can alter battlefield dynamics, paving the way for mana investment in more substantial spells and abilities.

Instant Speed: Ovinomancer’s ability to switch opponents’ key creatures into insignificant 0/1 creatures at instant speed equips players with strategic flexibility to disrupt opposing strategies during critical phases of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Ovinomancer is its necessity for the controller to discard a card to activate its effect. This can be particularly taxing when the player’s hand is nearly empty, forcing difficult decisions about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Ovinomancer’s ability requires three blue mana, which may be restrictive. This specific demand on mana can make it challenging to incorporate into multicolored decks that rely on a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a need for three mana just to hit the battlefield and additional mana for its ability, Ovinomancer may seem costly. When comparing to other creatures or spells within the same mana range, players might find more versatile or impactful options available to them, rendering Ovinomancer less appealing in competitive play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ovinomancer offers unique utility in deck builds that prize control and transformation effects. Its ability to convert creatures into harmless 0/1 Sheep tokens can be a game-changer against decks that rely on powerful creature strategies.

Combo Potential: This card integrates well with sacrifice outlets or bounce effects, allowing you to repeatedly use its ability. This grants a consistent means to control the board and can be combined with other cards to craft a formidable control combo.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game where creature-based decks are prevalent, Ovinomancer’s creature conversion ability becomes a valuable asset. Its power to transform opposing threats diminishes an opponent’s offensive capabilities, potentially giving you the upper hand.


How to beat

Ovinomancer is a unique creature card within the landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Its primary ability is transforming target creatures into harmless 0/1 Sheep tokens, a powerful control effect to neutralize threats. To successfully combat Ovinomancer, it’s imperative to avoid having creatures on the battlefield that are susceptible to its transformation ability or to deploy hexproof or shroud abilities to protect your key units. Creatures with hexproof or shroud are impervious to being targeted by Ovinomancer’s ability, rendering the creature’s power ineffective against them.

Another strategy is to use instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can eliminate Ovinomancer before its controller gets the chance to activate its ability. Considering Ovinomancer’s requirement to return to its owner’s hand to reuse its effect, thereby leaving the battlefield open, smart timing can easily disrupt this process. Additionally, spell counters can negate the Ovinomancer’s spell-based abilities, ensuring that its transformative capacity never comes into play. With these techniques, you can preserve your board state and maintain the upper hand against an opponent utilizing an Ovinomancer in their MTG deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ovinomancer MTG card by a specific set like Multiverse Gift Box and Visions, 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 Ovinomancer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ovinomancer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1996-11-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-11-01Multiverse Gift BoxMGB 21997NormalBlackKev Walker
21997-02-03VisionsVIS 391997NormalBlackKev Walker
32006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 271997NormalBlackKev Walker
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 642015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ovinomancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-12-08 Ovinomancer is a legal target for its own ability. Activating that ability will cause Ovinomancer to return to its owner’s hand, so the ability will have an illegal target. It won’t resolve, and no one will create a Sheep token.