Thorned Moloch MTG Card


Thorned Moloch shines in spell-heavy red decks, rewarding strategic noncreature spell casts with power buffs. Limited by its specific red mana cost, the Moloch fits best within mono-red or red-inclusive strategies. Prowess makes it a formidable threat in aggressive decks; savvy play maximizes its combat potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Lizard
Abilities Prowess
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) Thorned Moloch has first strike as long as it's attacking.

Those who fled the destruction of the city stumbled into the territory of their prickly neighbors.


Cards like Thorned Moloch

The Thorned Moloch is a uniquely positioned creature in the vast array of MTG cards. Similar to its brethren – the Rummaging Goblin – it has its place in decks that favor aggressive strategies. The Goblin lets you discard to draw, providing a continuous albeit slow stream of cards, whereas the Moloch, without the draw, boasts prowess, potentially turning it into a potent attacker whenever you cast a noncreature spell.

Another companion in the creature arsenal is the Akroan Crusader, which shares the aggressive cost but triggers a different ability – creating a 1/1 soldier token with haste when you cast a spell that targets it, possibly flooding the board with tokens. While the Thorned Moloch doesn’t produce tokens, it compensates with a definite increase in power, making it more of a direct threat.

In essence, while the Thorned Moloch may not offer the utility of continuous card flow or token generation, it stands out with its prowess ability, potentially delivering substantial combat damage in the right deck with a savvy player at the helm. It finds its niche among those who enjoy striking fast and watching their opponents scramble under pressure.

Rummaging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akroan Crusader - MTG Card versions
Rummaging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akroan Crusader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thorned Moloch by color, type and mana cost

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Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Thorned Moloch doesn’t directly provide card advantage in the traditional sense, its prowess ability, which allows it to get +1/+0 until end of turn whenever you cast a noncreature spell, can lead to indirect card advantage by making your spells more impactful and helping to maintain a threatening board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t directly offered by Thorned Moloch. However, it benefits from any resource acceleration you have in play. For example, if you’re able to cast multiple spells in a turn, including noncreature spells, you can pump up Thorned Moloch multiple times, leveraging the reduced casting cost or additional mana from other cards to amplify Thorned Moloch’s prowess effect.

Instant Speed: While Thorned Moloch itself is a creature card and must be cast during your main phases, it harmonizes well with instant speed spells in your deck. Casting instants on your opponent’s turn not only disrupts their strategy but simultaneously buffs Thorned Moloch if it’s already on the battlefield, potentially turning it into an unexpected blocker or a more formidable attacker on your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thorned Moloch has no discard requirements, thus this point does not apply to it.

Specific Mana Cost: Thorned Moloch’s mana cost necessitates one red mana. This can be restrictive, especially in multicolored or non-red decks, limiting its utility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature card with its abilities, Thorned Moloch’s mana cost of three, including one specific red mana, could be considered high. There are creatures with similar or lower casting costs offering comparable or better abilities, affecting its competitiveness in deck construction.


Reasons to Include Thorned Moloch in Your Collection

Versatility: Thorned Moloch is a flexible creature card that can fit into various red deck strategies. Its prowess ability ensures it can become a significant threat with each noncreature spell you cast, making it a formidable inclusion in spell-heavy decks.

Combo Potential: With Thorned Moloch, players can craft creative combos using its prowess to increase its power. It pairs well with decks built around casting numerous spells in a single turn, potentially turning it into a game-finishing attacker, particularly if you can give it trample or additional combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive strategies, Thorned Moloch can be particularly relevant. As a card that benefits from spellslinging playstyles, it can quickly become a substantial threat for an opponent to deal with, especially in environments where blockers are less prevalent.


How to beat

Thorned Moloch is a creature that never fails to stand out on the battlefield. With its prowess ability, it has the potency to become a significant threat whenever you cast a noncreature spell. To keep this creature in check, prioritize removal spells that can take it out before it grows too powerful.

Strategies to overcome Thorned Moloch include early creature interaction or taking advantage of the fact that it can’t block unless you have one or more noncreature spells on the stack. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are effective for quick and efficient removal. Furthermore, employing creatures with deathtouch can deter attacks, allowing you to withstand an assault and retaliate on your terms.

One must adapt to the game’s rhythm and control the pace when facing Thorned Moloch. Ensure that you manage your spells and resources wisely, so it doesn’t outpace and overwhelm you. By understanding how Thorned Moloch functions and preparing your deck with appropriate counters, you’ll be able to mitigate its impact and maintain an advantage over this spiky adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thorned Moloch MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Thorned Moloch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thorned Moloch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by James Paick.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1082015NormalBlackJames Paick
22020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 1772015NormalBlackJames Paick

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thorned Moloch has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal