Gore Swine MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Boar
Power 4
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Gore Swine thrives in aggressive decks looking to apply early pressure and dictate the game’s pace.
  2. Its specific red mana cost may restrict deck-building options, particularly in multicolor arrangements.
  3. Despite its fragility, Gore Swine demands an immediate answer, shaping the flow of the match.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Gore Swine itself doesn’t directly offer card draw, its aggressive nature can force opponents to expend multiple resources to deal with it. This can incidentally tip the scales in your favor when it comes to card economy in the match.

Resource Acceleration: Gore Swine’s efficiency stems from its cost-to-power ratio. A 4/1 creature for three mana can put a significant amount of pressure early in the game, potentially accelerating the rate at which you deplete your opponent’s life total.

Instant Speed: Although Gore Swine is a creature card that must be played at sorcery speed, its aggressive stats prompt swift responses from opponents. This may lead them to use their instant-speed removal prematurely, which allows you to navigate the later stages of the game with a clearer understanding of their potential reactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing with Gore Swine, players may feel constrained by not only having to manage their resources meticulously but also by not benefiting from any built-in mechanic that allows them to recover or utilize the discarded cards. Thus, this can lead to a potential loss in card advantage over the course of a game.

Specific Mana Cost: Gore Swine’s casting cost demands a specific arrangement of mana, which is exclusively red. This requirement can hamper deck flexibility and may not mesh well in a multi-colored deck where red mana is not consistently accessible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that aligns it among other three-mana creatures, Gore Swine’s absence of additional abilities might not justify its spot in a deck when there are numerous alternatives that can provide greater value, either through utility or versatility, for a similar investment of mana.


Reasons to Include Gore Swine in Your Collection

Versatility: Gore Swine is a robust creature card that can fit into various aggressive decks. Its decent power for its casting cost means it can be a genuine threat in the early game.

Combo Potential: Working best in decks that capitalize on high-power creatures, Gore Swine can synergize with effects that trigger upon dealing damage or when creatures with a certain power are present.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s hospitable to fast-paced, aggro strategies, Gore Swine serves as a solid inclusion. It can deliver considerable pressure on opponents, fitting nicely into decks that aim to close out games quickly.


How to beat

Overcoming a Gore Swine in Magic: The Gathering can often be a straightforward task given its minimal defensive capabilities. This formidable boar, boasting a strong offensive presence with its 4/1 stat line, poses a threat primarily due to its high power. However, its single point of toughness makes it vulnerable to an array of common removal spells. Cards like Shock or Dead Weight, both efficient in managing small threats, can easily dispatch a Gore Swine without significant resource expenditure.

Another effective strategy is to take advantage of blockers. With no built-in evasion like flying or trample, Gore Swine can be effectively chump-blocked with tokens or low-cost creatures. This can neutralize its aggressive advantage and maintain board stability. Additionally, due to its high power relative to its cost, the card can often be a liability to its controller under certain conditions; enchantments like Pacifism render it harmless, while cards that force it to block can effectively remove it from play due to its low toughness.

Recognizing the card’s strengths and weaknesses is vital for MTG players seeking to efficiently deal with threats like Gore Swine. In this case, players should prioritize cheap removal or strategic blocking to overcome a Gore Swine and maintain control of the game board.


Cards like Gore Swine

Gore Swine complements the brute force strategy in Magic: The Gathering with its high attack relative to its mana cost. In comparison to Gore Swine, Raging Goblin provides similar aggressive potential despite lower stats, due to its haste ability letting you attack right away. On the flip side, Gore Swine’s 4 power makes it a more substantial threat if it survives until the next turn.

Analogous to Gore Swine’s simple yet effective approach is Alpine Grizzly. The Grizzly costs one additional mana but offers one more power and toughness, rounding out as a sturdy option for players who prefer a little more resilience. The trade-off between the immediacy of impact versus potential staying power is a decisive factor when comparing these cards’ roles on the battlefield.

Overall, Gore Swine excels in a deck that values immediate heavy hitting. Its strength lies in its efficiency as a formidable force early in the game, posing a significant threat that opponents must rapidly address.

Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)
Alpine Grizzly - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)

Cards similar to Gore Swine by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gore Swine MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Mystery Booster, 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 Gore Swine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gore Swine Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jack Wang.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 1032015normalblackJack Wang
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9642015normalblackJack Wang
32020-09-26The ListPLST FRF-1032015normalblackJack Wang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gore Swine has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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