Patron of the Orochi MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Offering |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 138 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Christopher Moeller |
Text of card
Snake offering (You may play this card any time you could play an instant by sacrificing a Snake and paying the difference in mana costs between this and the sacrificed Snake. Mana cost includes color.) : Untap all Forests and all green creatures. Play this ability only once each turn.
Cards like Patron of the Orochi
Patron of the Orochi taps into the rich vein of green mana acceleration and untapping in Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to Seedborn Muse, a creature that untaps all your permanents during each other player’s untap step. Patron of the Orochi has a more specific focus, targeting only green creatures and forests, but it compensates with its potent ability to convert into a large mana pump with its tap ability.
Quest for Renewal stands out as another kin in the realm of untapping, working through quest counters yet providing a similar end result of untapping creatures during each opponent’s untap step when fully energized. Both cards excel in multiplayer formats, where they generate cumulative advantages. Yet, unlike Quest for Renewal, Patron of the Orochi doubles as a formidable creature.
Yeva, Nature’s Herald also bears resemblance due to her flash ability allowing you to cast green creatures as though they had flash, maximizing the potential of the untapping offered by Patron of the Orochi. Between these options, the Patron remains unique with its blend of offensive capability and support for a strategy teeming with green creatures and lands.
Cards similar to Patron of the Orochi by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Patron of the Orochi provides consistent card advantage by untapping all green creatures and all Forests. This can lead to drawing multiple cards per turn if those creatures have tap abilities that include drawing cards or can be coupled with effects that allow you to draw when creatures are untapped.
Resource Acceleration: This card is a powerhouse when it comes to generating a surplus of mana, especially in decks focused on green creatures and lands. By untapping all Forests, it dramatically increases the mana available to you each turn, which can be crucial for casting high-cost spells or activating demanding abilities.
Instant Speed: The ability to untap all green creatures and all Forests at instant speed is incredibly flexible. This allows the player to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to utilize the effect, keeping options open during the opponent’s turn. Moreover, it can be used defensively to untap blockers or offensively to untap attackers and generate an unexpected onslaught.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other powerful creatures, Patron of the Orochi doesn’t come with a drawback such as card discard. This trait isn’t applicable to the evaluation of this card’s cons.
Specific Mana Cost: With a double commitment to green mana, Patron of the Orochi demands a heavy green presence in your deck. This may hinder its inclusion in multi-colored decks that can’t reliably provide the necessary green mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: It has a significant mana investment at eight total mana, including two green. In MTG’s fast-paced matches, the game can often be decided before having the chance to summon such a high-costing card, making it a less optimal choice in many strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Patron of the Orochi is a dynamic card that enhances green decks focused on mana acceleration and creature-based strategies. Its ability to untap all Forests and green creatures not only generates a rapid influx of mana but also allows for double usage of tap abilities—which can be pivotal during late-game turns.
Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo possibilities within green or multicolored decks. It can lead to infinite mana loops when paired with cards that can untap it or can be exploited for massive plays in a single turn, fueling high-cost spells or overwhelming creature summons.
Meta-Relevance: As decks become more sophisticated and the battlefield more crowded, having a card like Patron of the Orochi can tip the scales in your favor. It holds a place in the current meta by allowing for quicker deployment of threats and the ability to capitalize on vast mana resources, which could be a game-changer in matches where tempo is key.
How to beat
Confronting the Patron of the Orochi on the battlefield can truly test an MTG player’s mettle. This potent green creature card is not only formidable in its power and toughness but also in its ability to untap all Forests and green creatures during each player’s turn. To gain the upper hand against this card, consider implementing removal spells that bypass its regenerative capacity. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can exile or destroy without triggering regeneration, effectively dealing with the threat.
Cards with flying offer another tactical advantage, as the Patron lacks reach and is thus vulnerable to aerial attacks. Additionally, exploiting its tapped state post-activation with a timely Sleep or turn-ending spells can leave an opponent’s defenses down. Another strategy is playing cards that restrict the use of activated abilities, such as Pithing Needle, which can nullify the Patron’s untapping feature. Anticipating the Patron and preparing a sideboard with these answers can be the key to overcoming this powerful adversary in the game.
Overall, besting the Patron of the Orochi involves a blend of preemptive planning and responsive play, ensuring that you’re equipped with the right countermeasures to neutralize its strengths and turn the tide of the match in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Patron of the Orochi MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers 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 Patron of the Orochi and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Patron of the Orochi has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Patron of the Orochi card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-02-01 | Patron of the Orochi’s ability untaps nonbasic lands that are also Forests (such as some of the Revised dual lands) and multicolored creatures that are also green. |
| 2005-02-01 | The Patron’s ability can be activated only once per turn, even if control of Patron of the Orochi changes. |