Ghazbán Ogress MTG Card


Ghazbán Ogress - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Ogre
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number60
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Bordersilver
Illustred byMike Raabe
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage by entering the battlefield potentially for free under certain conditions.
  2. Can accelerate your strategies by saving mana for other plays when summoned.
  3. Its instant-like entry effect can disrupt opponents unexpectedly during a game.

Text of card

When Ghazbán Ogress comes into play, the player who has won the most Magic games that day gains control of it. If more than one player has won the same number of games, you retain control of Ghazbán Ogress.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ghazbán Ogress provides an immediate presence on the battlefield when your life total is less than or equal to an opponent’s, boosting your array of threats without spending resources that turn.

Resource Acceleration: Deploying this creature can be a pivotal step in surging ahead, especially when you’re able to cast it at no mana cost, effectively accelerating your game plan and allowing allocation of resources to other tactics or board development.

Instant Speed: While the Ghazbán Ogress itself is not an instant, its ability to enter the battlefield as soon as the conditions are met makes it a card to watch out for at any moment. This can catch an opponent off-guard, much like the strategic play of an instant speed spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Owning Ghazbán Ogress in your deck means you need to be prepared for its discard condition, which could be a setback, especially when your hand is already running low on cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghazbán Ogress comes with a unique mana cost commitment. It’s necessary to have access to green mana to play this card, making it less flexible in decks that run multiple colors or lack a strong green mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the effectiveness of creatures in your deck, Ghazbán Ogress might come across as a hefty investment for what it brings to the battlefield. There are alternative creatures available that may provide more value or lower costs for the same or better effects.


Reasons to Include Ghazbán Ogress in Your Collection

Versatility: The Ghazbán Ogress offers flexibility in deck building, finding her place in swiftly paced aggressive decks. She is cost-efficient and can easily be slipped into decks that aim to flood the board early and pressure opponents.

Combo Potential: The Ogress, with her unique abilities, pairs neatly with cards that manipulate life totals. She can serve as an interesting piece in combos that aim to exploit the changing of control for unexpected tactical advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that emphasizes life total swings or revolves around creature-heavy strategies, Ghazbán Ogress can serve as a critical early-game play. This swift creature can surprise opponents and shift the dynamics of power on the battlefield effectively.


How to beat

Ghazbán Ogress is a distinctive card within the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its peculiar life-total based ability. Engaging this creature effectively demands a strategic approach. The Ogress can prove advantageous in decks tailored around life manipulation, but this same trait can be used against it. One effective tactic is to tip the life scales in your favor, enticing the Ogress to switch sides.

Utilizing cards that modify life totals swiftly, such as instant-speed life gain or loss spells, can catch an unsuspecting opponent off guard. The key is to trigger the Ogress’s ability at an opportune moment—usually right after your opponent’s upkeep, obligating them to relinquish control of the Ogress just before they can capitalize on their attack phase. Moreover, defensive spells that can thwart or redirect damage away from you will ensure your life total remains higher, sustaining the pressure and forcing an opposing Ghazbán Ogress to defect to your side of the battlefield.

In essence, with the right combination of instant-speed interactions and life total management, one can convert Ghazbán Ogress’s unique strength into a liability for the opponent, securing its allegiance when it matters most in the duel.


Cards like Ghazbán Ogress

Ghazbán Ogress shines in the realm of aggressive creature cards, often compared to other one-mana creatures like Savannah Lions. The Ogress, with a fair stat line for its cost, packs a punch for early game pressure. Savannah Lions, a classic creature, offers a reliable presence with no drawback — a simple swap for those seeking straightforward aggression.

Exploring this further, Jackal Pup enters the fray as another one-drop, sharing the Ogress’s aggressive traits, yet it retaliates with damage to its controller upon being dealt damage, a risky trade for its power. Another peer in this conversation is Isamaru, Hound of Konda, offering a solid 2/2 for one mana without any downside, presenting a formidable option for deck builders valuing consistency over conditional requirements.

To sum up, Ghazbán Ogress provides potent early game pressure for players willing to balance its drawback. While not devoid of risks, it offers a strategic choice for players adept at leveraging early advantages in the game of Magic: The Gathering.

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Isamaru, Hound of Konda - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Jackal Pup - Tempest (TMP)
Isamaru, Hound of Konda - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Cards similar to Ghazbán Ogress by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions
Elvish Pioneer - MTG Card versions
Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - Dominaria (DOM)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nimble Mongoose - The List (PLST)
Elvish Lyrist - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Elvish Pioneer - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hana Kami - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Norwood Ranger - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghazbán Ogress MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Ghazbán Ogress and other MTG cards:

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