Mogg Raider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	191
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brian Snõddy

Key Takeaways

Enables advantageous board maneuvers through creature sacrifice, enhancing synergy-focused MTG deck performance.
One mana cost and instant speed activation allow for early plays and strategic responses in games.
Card’s potential may be limited by its specific mana requirement and the cost of sacrificing creatures.

Text of card

Sacrifice a Goblin: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

The evisceration of one mogg always cheers up the rest.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mogg Raider might not directly let you draw extra cards, but it allows for strategic sacrifices to harness various abilities or effects from other cards that can lead to gaining card advantage. This adaptability gives it a subtle edge in the synergy-focused decks.

Resource Acceleration: The Raider’s ability to sacrifice a Goblin isn’t just for pumping itself or fellow creatures, it can also synergize with effects that trigger upon a creature dying, potentially accelerating your resources through those interactions. Plus, at a mere one red mana to play, it easily fits into a curve and gets your game plan going early on.

Instant Speed: While Mogg Raider’s action doesn’t happen at instant speed, its ability can be used at any time, offering the flexibility to respond to your opponents’ moves or to maximize the timing of sacrificing creatures for the most strategic benefit. This can be critical when maneuvering through complex battlefield situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Mogg Raider provides a tactical advantage by allowing you to sacrifice another Goblin to pump its power, this effect comes at the cost of depleting your board presence, which can be a significant drawback when you are already behind or looking to establish board control.

Specific Mana Cost: Mogg Raider’s mana cost requires red mana, which means it can only be optimally utilized in red or multicolored decks. This limits the card’s flexibility and can be a constraint when designing decks that do not primarily focus on red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of playing Mogg Raider may not always align with the pace you want for your deck, particularly considering its single point of toughness. Other cards at lower mana values might offer more resilience or come with additional abilities, making them potentially better choices for an early game play or for maintaining momentum against removal-heavy decks.

Reasons to Include Mogg Raider in Your Collection

Versatility: Mogg Raider seamlessly integrates into a wide array of red-based aggressive decks. Its ability to sacrifice another creature to boost itself or another Goblin resonates particularly well in Goblin tribal decks that swarm the field with numerous creatures.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with other cards that capitalize on creature sacrifices or those that benefit from increased attack power. It can also serve as a key piece in unlocking explosive turns that can overwhelm opponents out of nowhere.

Meta-Relevance: As the gameplay ebbs and flows with different dominant decks, Mogg Raider holds its ground in metas where small, quick threats rule the battlefield. It carries potential advantage against decks that are unprepared to handle multiple threats simultaneously or that lack mass removal options.

How to beat

Mogg Raider, a classic from the Magic: The Gathering universe, offers red deck players swift and agile tactical advantages on the battlefield. This goblin creature enables its controller to easily sacrifice another creature to give it a quick power boost, thus facilitating unexpected combat wins or helping to squeeze through that last bit of needed damage.

Overcoming a Mogg Raider often involves targeting it before it can become a major threat. Spot removal spells like “Fatal Push” or “Path to Exile” can dispose of Mogg Raider efficiently and are highly recommended when facing a deck that capitalizes on its abilities. Board control strategies, such as using sweepers like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”, serve to preemptively address Mogg Raiders along with any other creatures on the opponent’s battlefield, negating the need to deal with individual threats.

Alternatively, utilizing instant-speed interactions can mitigate the impact of the Mogg Raider’s ability. For example, by responding to the activation of its sacrifice ability with a removal spell or instant, the player not only nullifies the intended power boost but also, effectively causes the opponent to lose two creatures. As a whole, dealing with Mogg Raider strategically necessitates prompt responses and wise resource management within Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards like Mogg Raider

Mogg Raider is a unique asset for strategies reliant on creature sacrifice and tribal synergies in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to cards like Goblin Sledder, which shares the same ability to sacrifice another creature to give a Goblin +1/+1 until end of turn. The Mogg Raider distinguishes itself with its ability to swing combat in your favor at crucial moments.

Then there’s Skirk Prospector, which provides direct mana acceleration by sacrificing a creature for red mana, rather than a temporary power boost. This can be especially valuable in decks that need to ramp up their mana quickly to cast high-cost spells. Mogg War Marshal is also a contender when it comes to synergy with Mogg Raider due to its ability to produce multiple creature tokens that can be sacrificed for a significant combat advantage.

Assessing the utility of these cards, Mogg Raider stands out for those who favor instant speed interactions and flexibility during combat, supporting aggressive tactics and sacrificing strategies that can turn the tides of a duel in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Mogg Raider by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mogg Raider MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Mogg Raider and other MTG cards: