Provoke the Trolls MTG Card


Provoke the Trolls offers instant damage and can unexpectedly swing the game in your favor. The card’s requirement for red mana may limit its use in non-red focused decks. Its capability to fit into current meta decks makes Provoke the Trolls a valuable card.
Provoke the Trolls - Kaldheim
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set nameKaldheim
Set codeKHM
Number144
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDeruchenko Alexander

Text of card

Provoke the Trolls deals 3 damage to any target. If a creature is dealt damage this way, it gets +5/+0 until end of turn.

"I like burning and pillaging as much as anyone, but sometimes it's just easier to throw a rock and let the trolls do the work." —Urik, Tuskeri raid leader


Cards like Provoke the Trolls

Provoke the Trolls is a spell that causes significant damage in Magic: The Gathering. It can be compared to other damage spells like Lightning Strike, a rapidly acting spell causing three points of harm. But Provoke the Trolls is unique as it offers the flexibility to target any player or creature, allowing for strategic utility.

Another interesting comparison is Fiery Finish. This card can generate a massive six damage, although at a higher casting cost. Like Provoke the Trolls, it can target creatures, but not players, thereby reducing its flexibility. However, its ability to wipe out heavy-weight creatures cannot be overlooked.

Consider also Carnival, a valuable but lesser-known relation, which presents a choice between causing one damage to a creature and making its controller lose life, or causing three damage to a player directly. While it’s less powerful, Carnival often gives a useful tactical surprise, similar to Provoke the Trolls.

In comparison, Provoke the Trolls provides powerful damage versatility and its unique ability to create tactical advantage in Magic: The Gathering games, positioning it as a viable choice amid damage spells.

Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Fiery Finish - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Fiery Finish - MTG Card versions

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Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Fated Conflagration - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Stone - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Provoke the Trolls is a great Mtg card for generating card advantage. This single spell grants the ability to deal damage, thus potentially eliminating the opponent’s creatures and gaining you the advantage in card numbers. It’s essentially shifting the balance of the game into your favor.

Resource Acceleration: As an efficient damage-causing spell, Provoke the Trolls can be used for resource acceleration. Destroying your opponent’s creatures could potentially free up resources or disrupt your opponent’s game plan, providing a faster path to victory. Plus, its relatively low casting cost means you can still play other cards in the same turn.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Provoke the Trolls is also a key strength, since it can be played at instant speed. This lets you keep your mana open until you are sure you want to use it, providing the element of surprise. Its instant speed also allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at crucial moments, making it an unpredictable and valuable card to have.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Provoke the Trolls card doesn’t come with a discard requirement. Though this ensures your hand stays intact, in decks where discard mechanics aid in triggering certain effects, this might be viewed as a drawback.

Specific Mana Cost: With its specific need for red mana, the card’s use can be somewhat restrictive. Your deck has to support the inclusion of red mana in order to maximize its potential. If you’re playing a multi-color deck with minimal red mana sources, or a deck with a different primary color, its utility becomes questionable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Provoke the Trolls has a comparatively high mana cost. You have to pay 3 mana, one of them red, which can be taxing on your resources, especially in the early game. While its damage dealing capability is noteworthy, there might be other more cost-efficient cards that can deal damage or provide other advantages to your gameplay, requiring less of a mana investment.


Reasons to Include Provoke the Trolls in Your Collection

Versatility: Provoke the Trolls can adapt to a plethora of decks, particularly those that profit from direct damage or an enhancement in power. This card can serve multiple functions and its flexibility makes it a valuable asset in any collection.

Combo Potential: The wide-ranging effects of this card enable it to set off a series of actions that are favorable to your gameplay. It provides a means to augment strategies that exploit power increases or deal direct damage, enhancing various game-plans.

Meta-Relevance: Provoke the Trolls fits well into the current MTG meta. Given the prevalence of large creature or control decks, the ability to utilize direct damage or boost your creature’s power can prove substantial in your strategy.


How to beat

Provoke the Trolls is a provocative red instant card in Magic: The Gathering. Similar to direct damage spells like Shock or Lightning Strike, it deals three damage to any target but, unlike these spells, it has an additional effect when targeting a creature. Provoke the Trolls can augment the creature’s power by two until end of turn.

Carefully managing your life total or keeping appropriate counterspells at the ready can negate the impact of Provoke The Trolls. Counterspells such as Negate or Dispel can prevent Provoke the Trolls from dealing its damage. On the other hand, cards that give life such as Revitalize or Moment of Triumph can cushion the blow from its direct damage spells.

If the opponent uses the power boost effect on their creature, using removal spells such as Doom Blade, Terminate, or even a simple Unsummon can neutralize this power increase.

In conclusion, understanding the mechanics behind Provoke the Trolls, and having the right counters in your deck are key to overcoming this card in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depth of MTG’s strategic play can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Understanding the intricate abilities of cards like Provoke the Trolls can give you a significant edge in gameplay. With its instant speed and flexibility, this red instant enhances both your offensive and defensive tactics, proving to be a valuable addition to your arsenal. Are you keen to harness its potential and construct a deck that embodies both power and precision? Dive deeper into our vast pool of knowledge and strategies to transform your MTG gameplay and outsmart your foes on the battlefield. Sharpen your skills with us and embrace the full might of your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Provoke the Trolls MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Provoke the Trolls and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Provoke the Trolls has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal