Butcher Orgg MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Orgg
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	6
Toughness	6
Number	192
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

It can eliminate several blockers, altering combat dynamics significantly.
Strategically splitting damage leads to instant-like combat surprises.
However, its seven mana cost may limit its game impact timing.

Text of card

You may divide Butcher Orgg's combat damage as you choose among defending player and/or any number of creatures he or she controls.

It can kill you with three arms tied behind its back.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Butcher Orgg provides a unique advantage as it can potentially eliminate several blockers in a single combat phase, clearing the way for your other creatures and reducing the need for multiple cards to deal with individual threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana base, the sheer power of Butcher Orgg can function as a deterrent, making opponents hesitant to commit resources to the board and indirectly giving you the upper hand in resource allocation.

Instant Speed: Although Butcher Orgg itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to assign its combat damage as you choose can lead to powerful instant-speed-like interactions during the combat phase, allowing for strategic surprises and on-the-fly tactics that can catch an opponent off guard.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Butcher Orgg necessitates a significant board presence to fully utilize its ability to divide damage, potentially forcing players to over-commit to the board and become vulnerable to mass removal effects.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires three red mana, Butcher Orgg can be challenging to play on curve outside of mono-red or heavily red-based decks, reducing its flexibility in multi-color deck constructions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of seven mana to deploy from your hand to the battlefield, Butcher Orgg’s commanding presence can often come too late in the game when faster win conditions might already be in effect or easier-to-access removals could neutralize it before it impacts the game.

Reasons to Include Butcher Orgg in Your Collection

Versatility: Butcher Orgg offers a unique ability to divide its combat damage among multiple creatures and players. This splits its considerable power among targets, enabling strategic removal of blockers or finishing off vulnerable opponents.

Combo Potential: Butcher Orgg’s damage splitting pairs well with cards that trigger on creature death or combat damage, creating opportunities for synergistic interactions and complex play lines within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: As the game landscape evolves, Butcher Orgg can become a key sideboard option against decks that flood the board with creatures, allowing you to maintain board control and pressure in creature-heavy metas.

How to Beat Butcher Orgg

The Butcher Orgg is a formidable force on the battlefield, known for its massive strength and the ability to divide its combat damage as you choose among defending player and/or any number of creatures they control. Standing tall with a power of 6, this creature can be a daunting presence for any MTG player facing it.

To overcome this juggernaut, one needs to strategize effectively. Control decks with ample removal spells provide a solid defense against Butcher Orgg. Cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can eliminate the threat swiftly and without the need for multi-card combinations. For those preferring counter strategies, ensuring that Butcher Orgg never hits the field with a well-timed Counterspell is crucial. Moreover, pacifism effects like those from Pacifism or the contemporary Banishing Light can neutralize it without having to permanently deal with the creature.

In essence, dealing with Butcher Orgg is about preparation and timing. Your deck should include removals or control elements to manage such threats. Whether you’re preventing its arrival or addressing it once on the field, maintaining control over the game is key, enabling you to master the match even in the presence of such a powerful adversary.

Cards like Butcher Orgg

The Butcher Orgg is an intriguing creature card within Magic: The Gathering that offers a unique combat dynamic to the red color pie. Its function resembles that of other big red creatures like Inferno Titan, in that it towers over most challengers with its formidable power. However, Butcher Orgg brings an unusual ability to the table, allowing you to divide its combat damage among multiple defenders. This splitting damage factor sets it apart from the direct and singular large damage output creatures often found in red decks, such as the aforementioned Inferno Titan or the comparable Fire Elemental.

Another familiar face in this niche is Thorn Elemental. It also boasts a high power level that makes it a threat in the combat phase. Nevertheless, Thorn Elemental differs in an essential aspect; it allows its controller to have it deal damage to the player directly, bypassing potential defending creatures. This veers away from Butcher Orgg’s multiple target approach and leans more towards a strategy that forces opponents into unfavorable blocking positions or direct life loss.

Each of these cards serves a different strategic purpose in gameplay, but Butcher Orgg’s flexibility in dealing with several creatures at once certainly provides interesting tactical possibilities, making it a valuable piece in various MTG deck builds looking to harness the power of red’s direct damage.

Cards similar to Butcher Orgg by color, type and mana cost

Yidaro, Wandering Monster - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Butcher Orgg MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Butcher Orgg and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Butcher Orgg has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Butcher Orgg card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If it is blocked but then all of its blockers are removed before combat damage is assigned, then it won't be able to deal combat damage and you won't be able to use its ability.
2004-10-04	If you choose to use the ability to divide up the damage (and there is at least one point of damage to be assigned), you must choose at least one creature or the defending player, and can't choose more total creatures and players than the amount of damage being assigned (minimum 1 point per player or creature).
2004-10-04	You can use the ability to divide damage even if it is not blocked.