Pugnacious Pugilist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Abilities | Blitz |
| Released | 2022-04-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
| Set code | SNC |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 117 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Justine Cruz |
Text of card
Whenever Pugnacious Pugilist attacks, create a tapped and attacking 1/1 red Devil creature token with "When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to any target." Blitz (If you cast this spell for its blitz cost, it gains haste and "When this creature dies, draw a card." Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.)
Cards like Pugnacious Pugilist
Exploring the robust world of creature cards in Magic the Gathering often leads to comparisons based on combat abilities and cost efficiency. Pugnacious Pugilist slots into decks favoring aggressive strategies similar to how other creatures like Goblin Rabblemaster and Legion Warboss operate. All three thrive in a battlefield-rich environment where the number of creatures matters.
While Pugnacious Pugilist might not create tokens like the aforementioned goblins, its potential for brute force is significant, rewarding players for having a creature-heavy board. It stacks up interestingly against Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, which instead of directly attacking, enhances the damage output of other red sources. This highlights the Pugilist’s role as a standalone threat that becomes more formidable with a solid board presence, compared to Torbran’s facilitative damage amplification.
In evaluating combat-centric cards, it’s clear that Pugnacious Pugilist offers a unique angle. It doesn’t provide the recursive token generation other cards are known for but compensates with its ability to be a powerhouse in creature-focused builds, holding its own against other aggressive MTG staples.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Pugnacious Pugilist offers unique card advantage by enabling players to potentially exile cards from their opponents’ hands, thereby disrupting their strategies and gleaning vital information about their resources.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, Pugnacious Pugilist can put pressure on opponents and force them to act, potentially leading to a resource advantage for the savvy player who can manage the battlefield effectively.
Instant Speed: This card doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, but it can encourage favorable plays at instant speed by diverting your opponent’s attention or resources, thus creating opportunities for you to resolve high-impact instants while they’re off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Pugnacious Pugilist card requires the player to discard another card. This condition may be seen as a drawback, especially in game scenarios where maintaining a full grip of cards is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: It necessitates a mix of red and other mana, which could be tough for decks not heavily focused on red. This color commitment may restrict its inclusion to more color-specified decks, thus not fitting seamlessly into every type of build.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that isn’t negligible, it’s worth considering the opportunity cost associated with casting it. In decks aimed at rapid deployment and turnover, this creature might sit too long in hand, awaiting its moment, while lower-cost creatures could be contributing to the game plan.
Reasons to Include Pugnacious Pugilist in Your Collection
Versatility: Pugnacious Pugilist offers dynamic game play, seamlessly integrating into aggressive beatdown decks as well as more controlling builds seeking a robust threat.
Combo Potential: This card can become a linchpin in combos that feed off of its creature type or abilities, opening up possibilities for synergy with other cards.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are a cornerstone of many competitive formats, including a sturdy contender like Pugnacious Pugilist could prove to be a strategic boon in a combat-centric meta.
How to beat
The battle against Pugnacious Pugilist in your Magic: The Gathering matches can be as tricky as its name suggests. This robust fighter can be a real challenge on the board with its ability to bring a hard-hitting presence. To take down this pugilist efficiently requires strategic planning and the right countermeasures.
Removal spells are your first line of defense against a creature like Pugnacious Pugilist. Instant-speed removal can catch your opponent off-guard, disrupting their battle plans. Board wipes also prove effective, clearing the way regardless of the Pugilist’s size. Additionally, utilizing bounce spells to return it to your opponent’s hand can provide a temporary respite and delay their assault.
For those who prefer a more subtle approach, enchantments or artifacts that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can neutralize the Pugilist without having to remove it from the board. No matter your strategy, overcoming a creature with the resilience and power of the Pugnacious Pugilist will always demand a blend of timing, power, and a touch of cunning.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pugnacious Pugilist MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Pugnacious Pugilist and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Pugnacious Pugilist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pugnacious Pugilist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | If a creature enters the battlefield as a copy of or becomes a copy of a creature whose blitz cost was paid, the copy won't have haste, won't be sacrificed, and its controller won't draw a card when it dies. |
| 2022-04-29 | If you choose to pay the blitz cost rather than the mana cost, you're still casting the spell. It goes on the stack and can be responded to and countered. You can cast a creature spell for its blitz cost only if you could cast that creature spell. Most of the time, this means during your main phase when the stack is empty. |
| 2022-04-29 | If you pay the blitz cost to cast a creature spell, that permanent will be sacrificed only if it's still on the battlefield when that triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is. |
| 2022-04-29 | The triggered ability that lets its controller draw a card triggers when it dies for any reason, not just when you sacrifice it during the end step. |
| 2022-04-29 | You don't have to attack with the creature with blitz unless another ability says you do. |