Maw of the Obzedat MTG Card


Maw of the Obzedat - Dragon's Maze
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Thrull
Released2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameDragon's Maze
Set codeDGM
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number83
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRandy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

  1. Its sacrifice mechanic grants card advantage and instant speed responses in creature-focused decks.
  2. Demands careful deck construction due to specific mana needs and potential board depletion.
  3. Excels in strategies that utilize creature sacrifice for power boosts and combo potential.

Text of card

Sacrifice a creature: Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.

The devout sacrifice themselves to it hoping for escape from their debts to the guild, but many end up owing in the afterlife.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Maw of the Obzedat’s sacrifice ability doesn’t just facilitate creature control but also synergizes with decks focused on death triggers, leading to potential card draw or other beneficial effects linked to your creatures dying.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, its sacrifice ability offers a different kind of resource acceleration, boosting the power of your creatures on the battlefield, which can help close out games more quickly without additional mana expenditure.

Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice a creature to Maw of the Obzedat can be used at instant speed, allowing for unexpected combat tricks or dodging targeted removal that your opponent might cast during their turn, potentially disrupting their strategy.


Card Cons

Sacrifice Mechanism: The key feature of Maw of the Obzedat requires you to sacrifice another creature, which could potentially deplete your board presence if not managed wisely.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands both white and black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t tailored to the Orzhov guild synergies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two that are color-specific, Maw of the Obzedat competes with other impactful five-drop options that might not necessitate additional resource investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Maw of the Obzedat offers an adaptive gameplay option that excels in decks built around sacrificing creatures. It can seamlessly integrate into various strategies, from token generation to control decks seeking additional win conditions.

Combo Potential: With its ability to sacrifice other creatures for a power boost, this card works well with effects that trigger upon creatures dying or being sacrificed, offering numerous combo avenues for deck builders.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames that reward life gain and board presence, Maw of the Obzedat can be a game-changer, providing both a deterrent to attackers and a way to finish games through increased creature strength.


How to beat

Maw of the Obzedat is a unique card in MTG, offering a way to capitalize on creature sacrifices. As a result, facing this card on the battlefield can be a daunting prospect. One effective strategy to overcome Maw of the Obzedat is by limiting the opponent’s creature base, thus restricting the potential for triggering its ability. Utilizing removal spells that can clear multiple creatures at once, such as board wipes, is especially powerful against a strategy centered around creature sacrifice.

Another approach is to employ exile effects, which prevent the opponent from reaping benefits from creatures leaving the battlefield. By doing so, you’re not just dealing with the creatures temporarily, but you’re removing their ability to interact with Maw of the Obzedat’s sacrifice ability altogether.

Lastly, countering key spells that fuel the opponent’s board presence can impede the buildup of sacrificial fodder for Maw of the Obzedat, thereby undercutting its effectiveness. When thoughtful disruption meets timely execution, even formidable cards like Maw of the Obzedat can be outmaneuvered, ensuring your dominance on the playing field.


Cards like Maw of the Obzedat

Maw of the Obzedat presents a unique slot in creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering. It stands as a parallel to cards such as Teysa, Orzhov Scion, which also manipulates creatures for an advantage. Unlike Teysa, Maw of the Obzedat directly facilitates creature sacrifice for an immediate power boost, foregoing Teysa’s ability to exile creatures. Additionally, Maw of the Obzedat’s self-preservation ability ensures it’s more than a mere sacrificial outlet in critical moments.

In the realm of sacrifice-matters creatures, Cartel Aristocrat is another comparison. Though less potent in terms of direct buffs, the Aristocrat provides protection by sacrificing another creature, which Maw of the Obzedat lacks. Therefore, Maw of the Obzedat excels in aggressive strategies, while Cartel Aristocrat lends itself to a defensive posture. Finally, Falkenrath Aristocrat is a notable contender with its hasty nature and resilience through sacrifice, offering an immediate impact that Maw of the Obzedat cannot replicate.

Choosing the right card hinges on one’s overarching strategy; Maw of the Obzedat holds its ground as a powerful card in creature-centric decks, serving as both an enabler and beneficiary of sacrifice. Its unique interaction with creatures redefines the board state and can lead to surge victories, distinguishing it well in its category.

Teysa, Orzhov Scion - MTG Card versions
Cartel Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
Teysa, Orzhov Scion - Guildpact (GPT)
Cartel Aristocrat - Gatecrash (GTC)
Falkenrath Aristocrat - Dark Ascension (DKA)

Cards similar to Maw of the Obzedat by color, type and mana cost

Selenia, Dark Angel - MTG Card versions
Desolation Angel - MTG Card versions
Thalisse, Reverent Medium - MTG Card versions
Shadrix Silverquill - MTG Card versions
Firja, Judge of Valor - MTG Card versions
Liesa, Shroud of Dusk - MTG Card versions
Ravos, Soultender - MTG Card versions
Agent of Masks - MTG Card versions
Revenant Patriarch - MTG Card versions
Deathbringer Liege - MTG Card versions
Evershrike - MTG Card versions
Divinity of Pride - MTG Card versions
Vizkopa Confessor - MTG Card versions
Obzedat, Ghost Council - MTG Card versions
Blood Baron of Vizkopa - MTG Card versions
Sentry of the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Knights of the Black Rose - MTG Card versions
Vona, Butcher of Magan - MTG Card versions
Arvad the Cursed - MTG Card versions
Regal Bloodlord - MTG Card versions
Selenia, Dark Angel - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Desolation Angel - The List (PLST)
Thalisse, Reverent Medium - Commander Legends (CMR)
Shadrix Silverquill - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Firja, Judge of Valor - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Liesa, Shroud of Dusk - Commander Legends (CMR)
Ravos, Soultender - Commander Legends (CMR)
Agent of Masks - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Revenant Patriarch - Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt (DDK)
Deathbringer Liege - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Evershrike - Eventide (EVE)
Divinity of Pride - Commander 2013 (C13)
Vizkopa Confessor - Gatecrash (GTC)
Obzedat, Ghost Council - Explorer Anthology 3 (EA3)
Blood Baron of Vizkopa - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Sentry of the Underworld - Theros (THS)
Knights of the Black Rose - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Vona, Butcher of Magan - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Arvad the Cursed - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Regal Bloodlord - Core Set 2019 (M19)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maw of the Obzedat MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Maw of the Obzedat and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maw of the Obzedat has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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