Crested Craghorn MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goat Beast
Abilities	Haste,Provoke
Released	2003-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Legions
Set code	LGN
Power	4
Toughness	1
Number	91
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Matt Cavotta

Key Takeaways

Provoke allows Craghorn to influence combat, offering strategic control over the battlefield.
Discarding for Haste can be costly, weighing down its potential in tight games.
Versatility makes Crested Craghorn a potent addition to aggressive red decks in MTG.

Text of card

Haste Provoke (When this attacks, you may have target creature defending player controls untap and block it if able.)

"Craghorns experience a wide range of emotions: rage, fury, anger . . ." —Foothill guide

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crested Craghorn has an ability called provoke that lets you untap a target creature an opponent controls and force it to block if able. This creates a strategic advantage by allowing you to dictate combat outcomes, potentially clearing the way for your other creatures or removing a key creature from your opponent’s board.

Resource Acceleration: While Crested Craghorn doesn’t directly provide mana or treasure tokens, its red color identity aligns well with cards that enable resource acceleration. Red is known for rituals and other temporary boosts in mana, allowing for swift and impactful plays that can include Crested Craghorn ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: Crested Craghorn isn’t an instant itself, but its provoke ability can be used in conjunction with instant speed removal spells. You can bait an opponent’s creature into blocking the Craghorn, then use an instant to remove the creature before the damage step, preventing the Craghorn from taking damage. This tactical play can create surprise swings in board state in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crested Craghorn requires a player to discard a card to utilize its Haste ability. This can be problematic in game situations where maintaining hand advantage is crucial. Discarding cards can deplete valuable resources and potentially limit your strategic options later in the match.

Specific Mana Cost: Crested Craghorn comes with a specific mana cost that includes one red mana. This cost restricts its playability to decks that run red mana or have a mana base capable of generating multiple colors, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in multicolor decks that don’t focus on red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of 3R (three generic mana and one red mana), Crested Craghorn may be considered costly for its 3/1 stats and Haste enabler requiring a card discard. In the current meta, where efficiency is key, there may be alternatives that provide similar or better effects without the additional cost of card disadvantage.

Reasons to Include Crested Craghorn in Your Collection

Versatility: As a creature that can potentially have haste, Crested Craghorn offers flexibility in your gameplay. It can immediately impact the board and exert pressure on your opponent, which is valuable in a variety of red-based decks seeking to quickly reduce an opponent’s life total.

Combo Potential: Crested Craghorn has a unique synergy with cards that manipulate combat, such as giving it first strike to ensure you control the outcome of battles. When combined with effects that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player, its ability to enter the fray swiftly can be a game-changer.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having a flexible creature like Crested Craghorn can tip the scales in your favor. It’s particularly adept at bypassing blockers or finishing games when the opponent is on a low life total.

How to beat

The Crested Craghorn might seem daunting with its haste and first strike capabilities, leaving opponents with little time to react. To counteract this powerful MTG card, the best strategy focuses on control and removal. Play cards that can put a stop to creatures before they have a chance to attack. Direct removal spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can efficiently handle the Craghorn. Also, consider using counter spells to prevent the card from ever hitting the battlefield in the first place.

If you’re facing a deck that frequently plays the Crested Craghorn, preparing your sideboard with suitable answers like Sunlance for additional removal, or Flashfreeze to counter red creature spells, can tilt the odds in your favor. Prevent the Craghorn from gaining value through its haste by playing creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures, hence nullifying the first strike advantage. Lastly, keep track of the board state and maintain your life total, so the sudden appearance of a Craghorn doesn’t place you in a precarious situation during your MTG gameplay.

Understanding your opponent’s strategies and adapting by including versatile answers in your deck will ensure that you stay one step ahead, turning the presence of the Crested Craghorn from a threat into a minor hindrance in your path to victory.

Cards like Crested Craghorn

Crested Craghorn is a distinct creature card in MTG, which offers players a unique ability that can turn the tide of a battle. When examining cards akin to Crested Craghorn, we might look at Ember Beast. Both require another creature to attack, which can be a strategic drawback or an opportunity for synergetic play. Crested Craghorn, with its Haste ability, can attack sooner, giving it an edge in pressing the opponent quickly.

Comparatively, Frenzied Raptor from the Ixalan set shares the same power as Crested Craghorn, but it lacks the Haste, making it slightly less aggressive out of the gate. Another comparable card is Goblin Heelcutter, which, while it also features the Haste ability, provides an additional disruptive benefit by preventing an opponent’s creature from blocking for a turn. This can lead to more immediate and potentially game-ending advantages when timed correctly.

Evaluating these creatures, Crested Craghorn positions itself as a formidable choice for players looking to make an immediate impact with their creatures while maintaining pressure on the opponent. Its combination of power, speed, and the need for tactical attack planning make it a noteworthy option among red creature cards in the game.

Cards similar to Crested Craghorn by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Ravaging Horde - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)

Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crested Craghorn MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Crested Craghorn and other MTG cards: