Woolly Razorback MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Boar Beast |
| Released | 2006-07-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Coldsnap |
| Set code | CSP |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 25 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Richard Sardinha |
Text of card
Woolly Razorback comes into play with three ice counters on it. As long as Woolly Razorback has an ice counter on it, it has defender and any combat damage it would deal is prevented. Whenever Woolly Razorback blocks, remove an ice counter from it.
Cards like Woolly Razorback
Woolly Razorback occupies a unique position in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that presents a solid defensive front with its initial 7 toughness. This makes it somewhat akin to the likes of Wall of Frost, a defender with a substantial 7 toughness as well. However, Woolly Razorback offers a transformative offensive capability with its cumulative upkeep effect, allowing it to morph into a formidable attacker once three or more ice counters accumulate.
Contrarily, Colossal Dreadmaw embodies the simple straightforwardness of green creatures, boasting a 6/6 stature with trample, yet missing the nuanced conditional evolution of Woolly Razorback. Lumbering Falls is another interesting comparative piece, being a land that turns into a creature. While it offers a 3/3 body with hexproof, it doesn’t quite match the defensive nor the potential offensive impact that Woolly Razorback can exert once it sheds its defensive cocoon.
All things considered, Woolly Razorback competes well among creatures with the potential for both defensive and offensive utility. The transition from an impassable blocker to a relentless attacker makes it a versatile card that can adapt to the developing board state, giving it a distinctive edge within Magic: The Gathering’s creature roster.
Cards similar to Woolly Razorback by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Woolly Razorback comes with a pivotal ability to become almost unstoppable once it has enough counters. Every hit can be a step towards dominance on the board, giving you an unrivaled presence that can shift the tide of the game to your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Woolly Razorback itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, surviving with it on the field can lead to a more controlled and paced game. Consolidating resources while it defends ensures you’re set up for bigger plays ahead.
Instant Speed: While Woolly Razorback doesn’t operate at instant speed, its icy form offers a different kind of tactical advantage by encouraging opponents to think twice before attacking. Mastery of timing your plays around this creature can create opportunities for instant-speed spells during the late game, once it becomes an unstoppable force.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Woolly Razorback doesn’t demand a discard, but it requires a built-up board presence which could be compromised while trying to activate its cumulative upkeep.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding primarily snow mana, Woolly Razorback may not easily fit into decks not dedicated to a snow strategy, limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana to cast, Woolly Razorback competes with other formidable creatures and potentially more impactful cards at the same mana point, potentially diminishing its effectiveness in a deck.
Reasons to Include Woolly Razorback in Your Collection
Versatility: Woolly Razorback can seamlessly adapt to various defensive strategies, fitting perfectly in decks that need a strong blocker early on. With the ability to become a potent attacker once it has enough ice counters, the card’s flexibility is a standout trait.
Combo Potential: As a creature that accumulates ice counters, Woolly Razorback works well with cards that manipulate counters, unlocking combo opportunities in counter-centric decks. This creates possibilities for synergy with proliferate mechanics or other counter doubling effects.
Meta-Relevance: If creature-heavy decks are prevalent in the current meta, Woolly Razorback proves its worth as a formidable deterrent. Its transition from a blocker to an aggressive creature with trample ensures that it remains relevant at various stages of the game, aligning its capabilities with the dynamic flow of matches.
How to beat
Woolly Razorback may seem like a daunting opponent with its potential to become monstrous on the battlefield of MTG. When initially played, Woolly Razorback doesn’t intimidate much, but with the right strategy, it quickly transforms into a massive creature with trample thanks to its cumulative upkeep mechanic. Navigating around this ability is key. The strategy is to either prevent it from gathering enough counters to become a threat or deal with it directly before it slips past your defenses.
Removal spells are your best friend against this icy juggernaut. Instant-speed removal allows you to react before the Razorback becomes too big. Board wipes are another effective tactic, as they can clear the Razorback and other threats simultaneously. If your deck has efficient exile spells, they can bypass the Ice counter mechanic, removing the creature from the game entirely and preventing further complications.
Playing against Woolly Razorback requires patience and timing. Monitor its growth and choose the optimal moment to strike. With a well-timed removal or a preemptive board control, you can keep the Woolly Razorback from roaring to life and maintain dominance over the game flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Woolly Razorback MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Woolly Razorback 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Woolly Razorback has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Woolly Razorback card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-07-15 | Having an ice counter on Woolly Razorback doesn’t prevent combat damage that would be dealt to it. |
| 2006-07-15 | The third time Woolly Razorback blocks, its last ice counter will be removed, meaning the combat damage it deals that combat won’t be prevented. |