Wardscale Crocodile MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Crocodile |
| Abilities | Hexproof |
| Released | 2019-05-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | War of the Spark |
| Set code | WAR |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 183 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zezhou Chen |
Text of card
Hexproof (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
"The Eternals had to endure Amonkhet's five trials. Let's see if they can pass the Trial of Ravnica." —Jace Beleren
Cards like Wardscale Crocodile
Wardscale Crocodile is a unique creature within Magic: The Gathering that offers players a solid defensive option. It shares similarities with other hexproof creatures such as Scaled Behemoth. Both creatures carry hexproof, making them immune to target spells and abilities of opponents, which is highly valuable in a match. However, Wardscale Crocodile stands out due to its lower casting cost, making it a more accessible option during the earlier stages of the game.
Comparing it to Benthic Behemoth, another creature in the realm of MTG with a similar focus on survivability, the two differ in size and abilities. Wardscale Crocodile does not boast the same immense power and toughness but compensates with an easier-to-meet mana requirement. This trade-off is crucial when planning a strategy that requires a steadfast defensive creature on the battlefield promptly.
In the context of gameplay and value, Wardscale Crocodile is a noteworthy inclusion for decks that aim to establish a protective stance early on. Its blend of affordability and protective abilities allow players to set up their defenses effectively while keeping their options open for future turns.
Cards similar to Wardscale Crocodile by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Wardscale Crocodile itself doesn’t provide a direct card draw, its presence on the battlefield as a sturdy creature can force your opponent to expend multiple resources to deal with it. This can inadvertently lead to you gaining a card advantage as your opponent may need to use more than one spell or blocker to remove the Crocodile from the field.
Resource Acceleration: Wardscale Crocodile does not inherently provide mana or resource acceleration. However, its reliable stats for its mana cost can help solidify your board presence without having to invest further resources into smaller, less impactful creatures.
Instant Speed: Although Wardscale Crocodile is a creature card without flash, meaning it can’t be played at instant speed, its resilience in the form of hexproof on your turn can encourage a playstyle where you keep mana open for other instant-speed interactions during your opponent’s turn. This strategic element gives you the flexibility to respond to threats immediately and maximizes the efficiency of your mana usage throughout the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Wardscale Crocodile does not have a direct discard requirement, its place in your deck could indirectly cause you to discard other cards to accommodate its specific mana needs, potentially disrupting your hand and strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing three generic and two green mana, this creature’s casting requirement can be quite restrictive. It’s less flexible than those with a more balanced mana cost, which can potentially limit its integration into multi-colored decks without sufficient mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its five mana cost, the Wardscale Crocodile comes out as a simple 5/3 creature with hexproof. There are creatures with either lower mana costs or creatures that provide additional abilities or value at a similar cost, making it a less competitive choice in decks focused on efficiency and optimal resource allocation.
Reasons to Include Wardscale Crocodile in Your Collection
Versatility: Wardscale Crocodile finds its place in green-centric decks that appreciate solid creatures with inherent defenses. Its hexproof ability shields it from targeted removal, making it a reliable presence on the battlefield against a variety of threats.
Combo Potential: Teaming up Wardscale Crocodile with equipment or auras that boost its stats or grant additional abilities can create a formidable threat. Its inherent protection ensures your investments remain safe from single-target spells or abilities, enhancing its synergy potential.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where control decks wield a myriad of targeted removal spells, Wardscale Crocodile maintains relevance by being resistant to such pinpoint disruption. This resilience can give you an edge in matchups where maintaining a board presence is crucial to victory.
How to Beat Wardscale Crocodile
The Wardscale Crocodile boasts a sturdy presence on the battlefield with its hexproof ability, shielding it from targeted spells or abilities your opponents control. Nevertheless, overcoming this scaly obstacle is not insurmountable. One effective strategy is deploying cards that affect all creatures, such as board wipes or global debuffs, which circumvent the hexproof protection by not targeting the crocodile specifically.
Cards that change the rules of combat can also serve as a countermeasure. Spells that compel creatures to block or prevent them from blocking can alter the course of battle, effectively mitigating the impact of the Wardscale Crocodile. Alternatively, employing creatures with reach or flying allows you to block the Crocodile if it attacks or simply outpace it on the aerial front.
In essence, while the Wardscale Crocodile can be a formidable force, understanding its weaknesses and leveraging the numerous non-targeting removal methods or combat trickery available within Magic: The Gathering can ensure your triumph over this reptilian adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wardscale Crocodile MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Wardscale Crocodile 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 Wardscale Crocodile has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |