Spellgorger Barbarian MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Nightmare Barbarian |
| Released | 2002-05-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Judgment |
| Set code | JUD |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 100 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Romanoski |
Text of card
When Spellgorger Barbarian comes into play, discard a card at random from your hand. When Spellgorger Barbarian leaves play, draw a card.
The epidemic insanity had a lasting effect on certain barbarians—but no one noticed.
Cards like Spellgorger Barbarian
In the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Spellgorger Barbarian finds its niche among those that thrive on instants and sorceries in the graveyard. It shares a common ground with Crackling Drake which also powers up for each instant and sorcery in the graveyard, but Crackling Drake’s ability to draw a card upon entering the battlefield gives it additional utility. Spellgorger Barbarian, however, boasts a more aggressive mana cost, allowing for a quicker battlefield presence.
Another comparable card is Enigma Drake, similar in its dependence on spells in the graveyard to beef up its power. While Enigma Drake has the added benefit of flying, making it a better blocker and harder for opponents to deal with, Spellgorger Barbarian’s advantage lies in its mono-red identity. This allows for better mana consistency in single-colored decks. We also have Bedlam Reveler which not only gets cheaper with more instants and sorceries in one’s graveyard but also refuels the hand by drawing three cards when played.
Each card has its unique advantages within MTG’s vast library, but for avid red deck builders, Spellgorger Barbarian’s straightforward mana cost and potential power increase make it a solid choice for those looking to cast a fearsome creature early in the game.
Cards similar to Spellgorger Barbarian by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spellgorger Barbarian shines in providing indirect card advantage by posing as a recurring threat. Each time it deals damage to a player, it offers the benefit of exiling the top card of your library, giving you access to additional resources over time.
Resource Acceleration: By enabling the exile of the top card of your library, it accelerates your resource availability, especially when you’re able to play those exiled cards. This creates an opportunity to utilize more of your deck’s potential and maintain a steady flow of threats against your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Spellgorger Barbarian itself is not an instant, it can benefit from instant-speed spells in your deck. By giving you access to more cards, it increases the likelihood of having an instant to respond with during your opponent’s turn, thus enhancing your overall strategic options and keeping opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spellgorger Barbarian necessitates the discard of a card in order to leverage its full potential. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially when their hand size is already diminished, and losing additional cards could hinder their strategic options and overall game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a red mana as part of its casting cost. This specificity narrows its utility to decks that can produce red mana, therefore limiting its versatility across the wide spectrum of MTG decks. Players running multi-colored or off-theme strategies may find this casting requirement too restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being somewhat on the higher side for its effects, there are alternative cards available that could offer similar benefits at a lower cost. In a game where efficiency can determine victory, the cost-to-benefit ratio of Spellgorger Barbarian may not align with optimized deck builds that require more economical play options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spellgorger Barbarian brings flexibility to your deck with its capability to both be a formidable creature and a spell boosting asset. Its prowess in growing stronger with each noncreature spell makes it a solid option for spell-heavy builds.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be a powerhouse. Imagine coupling Spellgorger Barbarian with cheap cantrips or multiple spells in a turn, turning it into a colossal threat that can overwhelm your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape continually evolves, cards like Spellgorger Barbarian that synergize with a wide array of spells remain pertinent. Its capacity to scale and adapt to various gameplay styles ensures it maintains its value amid shifting metas.
How To Beat Spellgorger Barbarian
Spellgorger Barbarian can be a challenging contender in MTG duels, but there are strategies to mitigate its impact. This creature thrives on noncreature spells, growing in power with each cast. To curb its strength, focus on creature-heavy decks, minimizing the noncreature spells which could escalate the Barbarian’s threat level. Prioritize creature removal spells, such as Murder or Doom Blade, which can dispatch the Barbarian regardless of its size, circumventing its potential growth.
Another effective strategy entails using control elements that prevent the Barbarian from attacking or blocking, like Pacifism or Frost Breath. This keeps it from contributing to your opponent’s offense or defense. Additionally, cards that force your opponent to sacrifice a creature, for instance, Diabolic Edict, can be particularly useful since they bypass the Barbarian’s power accumulation.
Overall, when confronting Spellgorger Barbarian in gameplay, the key is to minimize its growth possibilities, efficiently manage creature removal, and utilize control tactics to neutralize this potentially formidable adversary on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spellgorger Barbarian MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Spellgorger Barbarian 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 Spellgorger Barbarian has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |