Orazca Frillback MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 140
2020-07-17 - Number 416
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Orazca Frillback can offer card advantage and board control, even indirectly influencing opponent’s decisions.
- Fits well in dinosaur tribal decks, boosting synergy and enhancing creature-based strategies.
- Due to its specific mana requirement and power level, consider deck compatibility and meta position.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Orazca Frillback itself does not provide direct card draw, its presence can influence opponents to dedicate resources to dealing with it, potentially leading to advantageous trades and improved board state for the player.
Resource Acceleration: One of the unsung benefits of a card like Orazca Frillback comes from its tribal synergies, particularly in decks that leverage the power of Dinosaurs. Its modest mana cost can help quickly populate the board and accelerate the deployment of larger, more impactful creatures.
Instant Speed: Though Orazca Frillback operates at sorcery speed, it complements decks that run a suite of instant speed interactions by providing a reliable and cost-efficient creature to play during one’s own turn, saving instant-speed spells for reactionary plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Orazca Frillback doesn’t require an actual discard, but rather it lacks any card synergy that rewards you for discarding, which means it may not complement strategies that revolve around discard mechanisms.
Specific Mana Cost: This dinosaur’s casting cost includes green mana, which can restrict its playability to decks that are able to produce that color. If your deck doesn’t support green mana or is already strained on color requirements, fitting Orazca Frillback into your game plan could be difficult.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including one green, you might find the investment a bit steep for a creature with just 4 power and 2 toughness. In the evolving meta, there are creatures at a similar mana cost that brings additional effects or greater stats to the battlefield, potentially making Orazca Frillback a less competitive choice.
Reasons to Include Orazca Frillback in Your Collection
Versatility: The Orazca Frillback is a solid inclusion for players who appreciate flexibility in their creature lineup. With decent toughness, it can serve as a reliable blocker in the early game while also being an aggressive enough creature to put pressure on the opponent.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its creature type, Orazca Frillback fits perfectly in dinosaur-centric decks and can be a piece of various combos, especially when synergized with cards benefitting from a high creature count or specific tribal boosts.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal decks are flourishing, Orazca Frillback finds its place among other dinosaur cards. It’s also a good contender against decks that rely on small creatures, as it can often outsize them without a substantial mana investment.
How to beat
Orazca Frillback may not be the most formidable creature within the diverse world of MTG, yet it has its niche on the battlefield. This dinosaur presents a solid body for its mana cost, making it a reasonable option for early game board presence. So, how do you efficiently deal with this spiky adversary before it can make an impact?
To tackle Orazca Frillback, the key lies in removal spells that can handle creatures at a low cost. Look into spells like Fatal Push or Shock, which can neutralize this threat without major resource investment. Enchantment-based removals such as Pacifism or Baffling End also provide answers, disabling it without triggering potential death-related abilities. For those in control decks, counterspells preempt the creature from ever hitting the board.
Board wipes remain reliable fallbacks for virtually any creature, and Orazca Frillback is no exception. A timely Sweltering Suns or Doomskar can reset the playing field. Lastly, remember the importance of managing your life total. It is sometimes strategically viable to take hits from the Frillback while developing your board and waiting for the right moment to strike back or remove it as part of a larger, more efficient play.
Cards like Orazca Frillback
Orazca Frillback presents an interesting option for players looking to include a robust creature in their MTG deck. Its parallels can be drawn with quite a few other creatures, notably the Raging Swordtooth. Both dinosaurs hail from the Ixalan block and share a common characteristic in their high power relative to their mana cost. Orazza Frillback stands out with its enrage ability which, when triggered, allows it to deal one damage to each opponent – providing potential for strategic plays during combat phases.
Another noteworthy comparison could be made to the Frilled Sandwalla. Though not a dinosaur, this lizard costs one less mana and can pump its own power. However, it lacks the damage-dealing ability that Orazca Frillback can bring to the table. Similarly, the Alpine Watchdog offers another parallel. As a dog creature type, it has vigilance but does not carry the potential for automatic damage that the Frillback possesses, emphasizing different tactical advantages depending on your deck’s strategy.
To summarize, while there are various creatures within MTG that could compete for a slot in your deck, Orazca Frillback is a card that can stand out due to its intrinsic damage ability, which should be considered when building around creature-based strategies and looking for a solid performer in the 3-mana slot.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orazca Frillback MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Jumpstart, 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 Orazca Frillback and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Orazca Frillback Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 416 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orazca Frillback has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
