Grotag Siege-Runner MTG Card

Grotag Siege-Runner - Rise of the Eldrazi

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Rogue
Released	2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Rise of the Eldrazi
Set code	ROE
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	149
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Key Takeaways

Provides control over the board by removing blocking creatures, enhancing offensive strategies in red-focused decks.
Offers deck-building diversity with combo potential and tactical flexibility in a variety of matchups.
While situationally powerful, it’s less useful against decks without walls, highlighting its niche role.

Text of card

, Sacrifice Grotag Siege-Runner: Destroy target creature with defender. Grotag Siege-Runner deals 2 damage to that creature's controller.

"I don't think he's bringing in the mail . . . ." —Nundari, Sea Gate militia captain

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grotag Siege-Runner offers a unique twist on card advantage by allowing you to deal with opponent threats efficiently. It might not draw you cards directly, but by eliminating blockers or key creatures, it can swing the game in your favor and pave the way for your assaults.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct form of resource acceleration, Grotag Siege-Runner can be a cost-effective method to clear the way for more impactful creatures to hit the battlefield without being obstructed. This indirect acceleration can be crucial in maintaining tempo and overwhelming opponents before they stabilize.

Instant Speed: The ability of Grotag Siege-Runner to sacrifice itself and deal damage operates at instant speed, providing flexibility in your play. You can decide the most opportune moment during the gameplay to activate this ability, making it a versatile tool in your arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grotag Siege-Runner requires the player to sacrifice the creature itself to activate its ability. This might be disadvantageous in situations where you need to maintain a board presence or when facing removal-heavy opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires red mana, Grotag Siege-Runner finds its place primarily in red or multi-color decks. This can restrict deck-building options, particularly in formats with a diverse mana base or in mono-colored decks that don’t include red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At two mana for a creature that has to sacrifice itself to destroy target wall, it may be seen as costly especially since walls are not commonly played in competitive formats. In comparison, there might be other creatures or spells that offer more versatile removal options or broader utility at a similar or lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include Grotag Siege-Runner in Your Collection

Versatility: Grotag Siege-Runner offers flexibility in red deck builds, capable of targeting creatures with its ability, adding a twist of destruction that complements aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can interact with synergistic elements that capitalize on creature removal, enabling combos that can disrupt opponent defenses while progressing your own board state.

Meta-Relevance: Grotag Siege-Runner can serve as a tech choice in a meta dominated by creatures with toughness one. Its ability to bypass conventional defense can prove crucial in certain matchups, adding a layer of strategy to your gameplay.

How to beat

Grotag Siege-Runner is an intriguing creature card that can shift the dynamic on the battlefield significantly. Known for its ability to destroy a target wall in addition to offering a quick two damage points for a nominal fee, this card can be a thorn in a defensive player’s side. To circumvent the nuisance of Grotag Siege-Runner, players can implement several strategies. Utilizing instant removal spells prior to the activation of its ability ensures that the creature doesn’t get a chance to deal its damage or disrupt your defenses.

Moreover, since it requires a small mana investment to activate its ability, players should keep an eye on their opponent’s mana pool; identifying when they’re tapped out can provide a window to make strategic plays without the threat of having your walls dismantled. It’s often sensible to avoid over-reliance on wall creatures when up against a deck known to run Grotag Siege-Runner, as this would mitigate its potential impact. Lastly, always remember that creature capabilities such as hexproof or shroud can protect your important wall creatures from becoming targets in the first place.

In summary, dealing with the Grotag Siege-Runner can be straightforward with prepared removal, strategic playtime, and defensive diversification. Understanding these methods keeps this card from becoming a siege you can’t withstand.

Cards like Grotag Siege-Runner

Grotag Siege-Runner is an intriguing creature card that offers a unique destructive capability, reminiscent of Goblin Arsonist. Both cards enable you to inflict damage upon destruction, but Grotag Siege-Runner comes with the flexibility to target and destroy a wall, transforming it into a potential obstacle remover. While Goblin Arsonist allows for damage upon death without a mana cost, it lacks this direct control over board state.

Analogous to Grotag Siege-Runner in its utility to disturb the opponent’s structure is Magmatic Chasm. This spell, rather than targeting individual blockers like Grotag Siege-Runner, effectively removes all ground blockers for a turn, yet it doesn’t provide a body to apply pressure on the board. On the flip side, Seismic Strike deals damage to a creature based on the number of Mountains you control, directly removing a threat without the need to attack or block, a different strategic angle compared to our Grotag friend.

Considering these comparisons, Grotag Siege-Runner secures a niche spot in Magic: The Gathering as a low-cost creature with the inherent ability to dismantle specific defensive strategies, catering to players who enjoy tactical manipulation of the battlefield.

Goblin Arsonist - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Magmatic Chasm - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grotag Siege-Runner MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Grotag Siege-Runner and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grotag Siege-Runner has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-06-15	If the targeted creature is an illegal target by the time the ability resolves, the ability doesn’t resolve. Its controller won’t be dealt damage.