Territorial Roc MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 43 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | YW Tang |
Text of card
Flying
"Such lesser creatures must be purged from the sky. What use do they have but to help channel the lightning of our mighty dragonlord?" —Gvar Barzeel, Kolaghan warrior
Cards like Territorial Roc
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Territorial Roc makes for an interesting comparison with other two-mana creatures offering players flying utility. For instance, Healer’s Hawk is another card that not only flies but also brings lifelink to the game, providing an added advantage despite its lower power. Up against Territorial Roc’s straightforward approach to flying, Healer’s Hawk offers a way to gain life while chipping away at the opponent’s health.
Stormfront Pegasus is another similar card, sharing the same mana cost and also boasting flying. However, it edges out with an extra point of power, which might seem a small difference but can be significant in the early phases of aggressive strategies. On the other hand, Territorial Roc holds its ground with a point of toughness, offering slightly more resilience.
Such comparisons are essential for deck builders looking to optimize their builds. Every minor advantage must be considered when evaluating cards like Territorial Roc alongside other potential candidates. While it may not have extra abilities like some of its counterparts, it remains a viable option for establishing early aerial control.
Cards similar to Territorial Roc by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Territorial Roc may not directly allow you to draw cards, this flying creature can help indirectly maintain card advantage through its vigilant presence in the sky, often keeping your opponent’s creatures at bay and preserving your own card resources on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Territorial Roc itself may not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing mana or land, but its low casting cost makes it a quick play, enabling you to establish your board presence while still holding mana for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although Territorial Roc is cast at sorcery speed, it seamlessly fits into decks that favor instant speed interactions. By establishing a defensive airborne blocker early on, you can more safely keep mana open to respond to your opponent’s moves with instant-speed spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Territorial Roc comes with an ability that may be conditional or require additional actions that could prove disadvantageous during gameplay. Ensuring your hand can support such requirements is critical when including this card in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Territorial Roc to the battlefield requires a precise mana combination. Should your deck’s mana base not be properly tuned to accommodate this, you might find Territorial Roc sitting in your hand longer than desired.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the mana cost against its potential impact on the game is essential. There may be alternatives that provide a greater return on investment, making Territorial Roc’s mana cost less appealing in a competitive setting.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Territorial Roc is a reliable two-drop creature ideal for decks that prioritize early board presence. Its flying ability allows it to glide over ground-based defenses, providing a constant threat to your opponent’s life total.
Combo Potential: With its evasion skill, Territorial Roc serves as an excellent enabler for cards that capitalize on dealing combat damage or when you’re aiming to maximize evasive strategies. It pairs well with cards that buff flying creatures or those that trigger upon combat damage to a player.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where aggressive decks are prevalent, this card can be a significant asset. It’s a cost-effective flyer that can easily fit into decks designed to outpace slower, control-heavy strategies. Moreover, in an environment where flying creatures are key, Territorial Roc’s presence can often dictate early game dynamics.
How to beat
The Territorial Roc is a flying creature card that players often slot into their MTG decks for an aerial advantage. This card’s strength lies in its ability to evade many ground-based blockers, providing a consistent means of chipping away at an opponent’s life total. To effectively counter this avian threat, understanding the mechanics of flying is key.
One effective approach is deploying creatures with Reach or other Flyers to block and potentially remove the Territorial Roc from the battlefield. Another strategy includes using instant-speed removal spells that can target and destroy the Roc, thereby removing the threat at a crucial moment during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, maintaining tempo.
Additionally, there are enchantments and artifacts that can ground flying creatures or render them harmless without needing to engage in combat. Cards that can mass-remove or decrease the power and toughness of your opponent’s creatures can also neutralize the Roc along with other threats on the board. By incorporating these tactics, you can mitigate the impact of the Territorial Roc and maintain control of the skies in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Territorial Roc MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Territorial Roc 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Territorial Roc has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |