Crocodile of the Crossing MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 162
2020-08-13 - Number 187
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Crocodile |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- The card ensures board presence and can tip the scales by pressuring opponents early on in the game.
- While potent, the requirement to discard may call for careful resource management within gameplay.
- Its diverse utility makes Crocodile of the Crossing an asset in aggressive and counter-focused strategies.
Text of card
Haste When Crocodile of the Crossing enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you control.
"Everything in the trial has teeth. You will overcome them, or you will feed them." —Rhonas, god of strength
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Crocodile of the Crossing doesn’t provide direct card draw, it excels in board presence, often necessitating a response from your opponent and potentially providing you with a card advantage through its sheer power.
Resource Acceleration: Crocodile of the Crossing’s efficient mana cost coupled with its included mechanic, Haste, allows you to get ahead on the board swiftly. A quick offense can be considered a form of resource acceleration as it pressures your opponent before they have the chance to fully utilize their resources.
Instant Speed: Although Crocodile of the Crossing is not an instant, the Haste ability essentially gives your creature the immediacy often associated with instant speed spells. This means immediate impact upon hitting the battlefield, translating into faster and potentially decisive pressure on your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One major drawback of Crocodile of the Crossing is its hurdle of having to discard a card to unleash its full potential. This downside requires strategic consideration, as it demands an immediate sacrifice of resources that could be pivotal if your hand is already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck building around Crocodile of the Crossing requires a commitment to green mana. The prescriptive nature of its casting cost means it’s not as flexible for multicolor decks that might struggle with the necessary green mana consistency compared to mono-green builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a quick glance, the four mana cost for a 5/4 creature with haste might seem reasonable. However, in a metagame where tempo and efficiency are king, the Crocodile demands a hefty investment. There are creatures at similar or lower mana costs with comparable or better effects, potentially relegating our Crocodile to less competitive environments.
Reasons to Include Crocodile of the Crossing in Your Collection
Versatility: Crocodile of the Crossing is adaptable for a range of strategies that prioritize speed and power. Its hefty stats and haste make it a swift threat on the board, suitable for aggressive decks looking to apply early pressure.
Combo Potential: Utilizing its -1/-1 counter placement, this crocodile can serve as a key piece in decks that exploit such counters for benefit, whether it’s enabling additional card draws, proliferating for wider impact, or engaging with other synergistic mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment with an emphasis on tempo plays, Crocodile of the Crossing shines by offering immediate board presence. As a 4/4 hasty creature for four mana, it matches well against popular mid-range creatures and can swing the game state upon arrival.
How to beat
Crocodile of the Crossing is a potent aggressor in MTG, known for its significant power and haste attribute that can strike swiftly. But to overcome this menacing creature, understanding its hindrance is crucial. Upon entering the battlefield, it requires you to put a -1/-1 counter on another creature you control. This is where tactical creature play and timing become invaluable.
Removal spells are your ally against this reptile; instant-speed options allow you to respond before it can deal damage. Also, controlling when to play your creatures can minimize the impact of the -1/-1 counter, keeping essential creatures out of the crossfire. Strong defensive creatures are another avenue—those with enough toughness to survive an attack and block the Crocodile effectively.
Don’t overlook the power of bounce spells and effects that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature. These strategies can neutralize the threat without triggering its potential attack, turning the crocodile’s speed against itself. Bearing these tactics in mind, facing Crocodile of the Crossing becomes a less daunting task, providing paths to claim victory against this swift attacker.
Cards like Crocodile of the Crossing
Crocodile of the Crossing is an intriguing creature card that finds its peers within Magic: The Gathering’s green creatures designed to apply early game pressure. It bears comparison to Leatherback Baloth, a beast with substantial power and toughness for its mana cost, but without Crocodile of the Crossing’s haste, which can catch opponents off-guard. Another analogue is Strangleroot Geist, an aggressive creature that also possesses haste and undying, allowing it to be a persistent threat on the board, albeit with lesser initial impact.
When considering sheer power, Ripjaw Raptor presents itself as a formidable force, sharing the same converted mana cost as Crocodile of the Crossing. Though it lacks haste, it compensates with the ability to draw a card whenever it is dealt damage, creating potential for card advantage. Additionally, Vine Mare offers hexproof and can’t be blocked by black creatures, though it misses out on the haste that enables Crocodile’s turn-four impact.
In the context of green’s aggressive strategies, Crocodile of the Crossing holds a distinct place. With its combination of size, speed, and the challenge presented by its enter-the-battlefield effect, Crocodile of the Crossing is a competitive choice for decks looking to dominate the early to mid-game stages.
Cards similar to Crocodile of the Crossing by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crocodile of the Crossing MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet 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 Crocodile of the Crossing and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Crocodile of the Crossing Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 162 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 187 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crocodile of the Crossing has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
