Atog MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Atog
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Atog’s power grows by sacrificing artifacts, turning spent resources into formidable offense in late game.
  2. Instant speed artifact sacrifice with Atog can catch opponents off-guard and shift combat dynamics.
  3. The Atog’s mana specificity and need to sacrifice artifacts could be disadvantageous in certain decks.

Text of card

: +2/+2 until end of turn. Each time you use this ability, you must choose one of your artifacts in play and place it in the graveyard. This artifact cannot be one that is already on its way to the graveyard, and artifact creatures killed this way may not be regenerated.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Featuring the distinguished Atog creature, this card is a potent addition to any deck emphasizing on graveyard recursion. By voraciously consuming artifacts in play, Atog grows in power, effectively transforming previously used resources into direct offensive potential. This exchange mechanism can prove decisive, especially in the later stages of the game where card economy dominates.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a tool for ramping up mana like other resource acceleration methods, Atog enables a strategic advantage through its artifact consumption ability. Clever manipulation of artifacts not only fuels Atog’s strength but also synergizes with decks that benefit from artifact manipulation, subtly pacing the game to your tempo.

Instant Speed: Atog’s ability to sacrifice an artifact at instant speed lends itself to surprising shifts during combat phases. By holding back artifacts and making strategic sacrifices at critical moments, you can turn the tide of battle unexpectedly, catching opponents off guard and reshaping the board state to your favor, making Atog a fearsome card to reckon with.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of playing the Atog card is the need to sacrifice artifacts to boost its stats. Not only does this diminish your board presence, but it can also backfire if you’re forced to consume essential pieces of your artifact strategy, making it a risky play in tight situations.

Specific Mana Cost: Atog’s casting cost requires both red and generic mana, which means it’s inherently less flexible than mono-colored or colorless options. For players running multicolor decks, this can occasionally pose a challenge in ensuring the right mana combination is available at the time of casting.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you compare Atog to other two-cost creatures in MTG, the base power and toughness don’t quite measure up without investing additional resources. The inherent need to fuel its ability by sacrificing other cards can make it a cost-inefficient choice, especially in fast-paced matches where keeping a solid board presence with minimal economic sacrifices is essential.


Reasons to Include Atog in Your Collection

Versatility: Atog offers great flexibility due to its ability to fit into a wide array of decks. With its unique ability to sacrifice artifacts for power, Atog can thrive in environments rich in artifact mechanics.

Combo Potential: This card is notorious for its synergy with numerous combos, especially in decks designed around artifact recursion or sacrifice-for-gain strategies, leading to sudden and overwhelming victories.

Meta-Relevance: Atog remains relevant in formats where artifact-based decks continue to see play. Its capacity to quickly evolve into a significant threat makes it a card worth considering for competitive play.


How to beat

Atog is an iconic creature in the world of MTG, known for its classic ability to sacrifice artifacts to gain temporary strength. To effectively counteract the Atog card, players should look at minimizing the number of artifacts present on the battlefield. This tactic diminishes the Atog’s ability to power up and reduces its threat significantly. Focusing on removal spells that can unnaturally target and destroy the Atog before it becomes a significant problem is also wise. Direct damage spells, board wipes, and spot removal can effectively deal with this creature before an Atog-engaged player can amass enough resources to sacrifice.

Additionally, players should consider altering their deck’s strategy by employing graveyard hate cards which hinder the Atog player’s ability to recycle their artifacts from the graveyard, cutting off a potential resource line. Understanding that timing is crucial, one must know when to hold back removal to wait for the Atog to commit to an attack, which is when it’s most vulnerable. Restricting the number of artifacts you play, if possible, can further decrease the Atog’s feeding ground. By controlling these aspects of the game, one can keep Atog’s daunting capability in check, providing a path to victory against this seemingly voracious adversary.


Cards like Atog

Atog, a classic creature from Magic: The Gathering, has carved a niche for itself with its unique ability to sacrifice artifacts for a power boost. This trait resonates with other MTG cards that thrive on sacrificial mechanics, such as Arcbound Ravager, which also allows players to sacrifice artifacts to increase its power and takes advantage of the modular ability. While Atog is a pioneer, Ravager provides a more robust interaction with artifact-themed decks.

Another comparable card is Krark-Clan Ironworks, renowned not for power boosting but for its ability to convert artifacts into mana, enabling explosive combo plays. Though not a creature, Ironworks echoes Atog’s artifact synergies by providing a resource advantage instead. Lastly, the inclusion of Megatog elaborates on the basic Atog’s foundation with the additional benefit of trample, offering the opportunity for direct damage to opponents.

Essentially, Atog stands as an influential figure in the realm of artifact-centric creatures. While it may not possess the complexity of newer cards, its fundamental design continues to inspire a dynamic range of artifact-interaction cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Megatog - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - Darksteel (DST)
Krark-Clan Ironworks - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Megatog - Mirrodin (MRD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Atog MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Antiquities, 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 Atog and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Atog Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 231993normalblackJesper Myrfors
21994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 23†1993normalblackJesper Myrfors
31994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1391993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
41994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1391993normalblackJesper Myrfors
51994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1391993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
61997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2091997normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
72003-10-02MirrodinMRD 862003normalblackPuddnhead
82011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1091997normalblackJesper Myrfors

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Atog has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperBanned
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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