Thorned Moloch MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 108
2020-08-13 - Number 177
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Lizard |
| Abilities | Prowess |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Cards similar to Thorned Moloch by color, type and mana cost
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:
- 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 Thorned Moloch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by James Paick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 177 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thorned Moloch 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 |
