Saprazzan Outrigger MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 101 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Doug Chaffee |
Text of card
When Saprazzan Outrigger attacks or blocks, put it on top of its owner's library at end of combat.
The Saprazzans excel at both tactics: hit *and* run.
Cards like Saprazzan Outrigger
Saprazzan Outrigger is an intriguing creature card that becomes an asset for players who favor a swift aquatic strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other creatures like Silvergill Adept, which also entails a merfolk synergy. What sets Saprazzan Outrigger apart is its unique ability that allows it to become a formidable 3/3 creature until end of turn when you control an island, potentially catching opponents off guard.
Examining Frost Walker, we find a creature that similarly boasts a strong presence for a low mana cost, but rather than a temporary boost, it sacrifices durability for consistent power. On the other hand, creatures like Phantom Warrior offer permanent invisibility, making them unblockable, albeit at a higher casting cost compared to Saprazzan Outrigger. This makes Saprazzan Outrigger a balanced option for those seeking to optimize their mana curve while maintaining a tactical advantage.
When considering the versatility and surprise factor Saprazzan Outrigger brings to the table, it forms a compelling choice for players crafting decks that benefit from high power creatures at a low-cost investment, balancing the tightrope walk between power surges and strategic depth in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Saprazzan Outrigger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Saprazzan Outrigger provides a distinct benefit by potentially digging deeper into your deck. When the card leaves play, you get to reveal the top four cards of your deck, ensuring that you have a better chance of finding the cards you need, when you need them, thereby improving your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The ability to play Saprazzan Outrigger at a reduced cost under certain conditions can significantly boost your resource acceleration. By using fewer resources to deploy this card, you effectively save mana for other strategic plays or for advancing your board state more rapidly than your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Saprazzan Outrigger in itself isn’t an instant, its mechanics synergize well with instant-speed spells. It lets you keep mana available for responses and interactions during your opponents’ turns, then deploy Saprazzan Outrigger later if the mana was not otherwise utilized, maintaining flexibility in your gameplay strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When you play Saprazzan Outrigger, there may be times when the requirement to discard a card could lead to a depleted hand. This can particularly become a setback when you’re planning to maintain a strong board presence, countering your opponent’s moves, or you simply have a hand full of valuable cards you cannot afford to discard.
Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a demand for specific mana color combinations, which might not be readily available in all types of decks. Unless you’re running a deck that can reliably produce the necessary mana, integrating Saprazzan Outrigger might pose challenges and limit deck-building options and flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, Saprazzan Outrigger competes with other cards in the same cost bracket that might offer greater impact or versatility. Players might find themselves weighing its potential against other options that could synergize better with their deck’s strategy without the added burden of a discard.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Saprazzan Outrigger proves to be a flexible choice for various deck types, fitting seamlessly into strategies that prioritize speed and efficiency in creature deployment.
Combo Potential: With this card’s ability to quickly hit the battlefield, it can become an integral part of synergistic plays or serve as a surprise blocker, making it a great combo piece in reactive gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to accelerate board presence, Saprazzan Outrigger remains relevant in metas that favor tempo or protect critical turns in a match, making it a wise pick for competitive play.
How to beat
The Saprazzan Outrigger is known for its ability to gain speed in the play. It temporarily amps up its power to a mighty five during the turn it is summoned. This surge in strength can catch many opponents off guard, rapidly shifting the dynamics of the game. However, despite its initial burst of power, the Saprazzan Outrigger becomes vulnerable after its significant strength boost subsides.
To effectively counteract this card, it’s crucial to be strategic with your removal spells. You can opt to hold back your removal until after the Outrigger’s power has increased. At that point, utilizing an instant-speed removal can effectively neutralize the threat without having to deal with the initial power spike. Moreover, understanding when to deploy blockers can prove pivotal. Waiting to block until the turn after the Outrigger shrinks back down can be a game-saving decision, especially if those blockers have enough toughness to survive the interaction and retaliate.
Considering these strategies, the key to overpowering the Saprazzan Outrigger lies in timing and precision. By being patient and thoughtful with your resources, you can turn the tide of the game in your favor, rendering this temporary titan just a minor stumbling block in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saprazzan Outrigger MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Saprazzan Outrigger 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saprazzan Outrigger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |