Fodder Launch MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Tribal Sorcery — Goblin
Released	2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Lorwyn
Set code	LRW
Number	114
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nils Hamm

Key Takeaways

Fodder Launch turns expendable creatures into impactful direct damage, optimizing board pressure tactics.
Though restrictive in mana cost, it finds synergy in black-red decks, enriching sacrifice strategies.
Diverse from similar cards, it uniquely combines creature removal with life point attrition for its user.

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Fodder Launch, sacrifice a Goblin. Target creature gets -5/-5 until end of turn. Fodder Launch deals 5 damage to that creature's controller.

Leave it to a boggart to come up with a projectile as disgusting as it is deadly.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fodder Launch can effectively eliminate an opponent’s creature while potentially keeping pressure on the board. By sacrificing a creature, you’re turning excess or less valuable creatures into a potent direct damage source against both creatures and players.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration, Fodder Launch can be considered a form of indirect resource conversion. It transforms a low-value creature into significant damage, thereby accelerating your deadly impact on the game without needing extra mana investment at that moment.

Instant Speed: While Fodder Launch itself is sorcery-speed, its impact enables instant-speed benefits in subsequent turns. By removing key creatures on your turn, you can keep mana open for other responsive plays, thus maintaining the fluidity and unpredictability of your strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fodder Launch requires the sacrifice of a creature to activate its effect, which could deplete your board presence and be costly if you don’t have expendable creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a combination of black and red mana, potentially complicating its inclusion in multicolored decks that might not focus on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana might be steep considering alternative removal options in the format that are more mana efficient.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fodder Launch brings a unique blend to your arsenal, fitting snugly into black-centered or multi-color sacrifice decks. It can serve as a removal option while also supporting creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is a powerhouse in various combos, especially when paired with creatures that have death triggers or benefit from being sacrificed, thus maximizing value from a single play.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy formats often taking the spotlight, Fodder Launch can disrupt your opponent’s board state, making it a timely addition to combat popular meta-game decks.

How to beat

Fodder Launch is a unique spell in MTG that can be tricky to tackle due to its ability to turn a minor creature into a massive damage dealer against larger threats. Utilizing creatures as ammunition, it presents a challenge by potentially clearing out big threats on your board while dealing damage to you as well.

To effectively counteract Fodder Launch, the key is to limit the number of expendable creatures your opponent has at their disposal. Creature removal spells can greatly diminish the impact of Fodder Launch. Board control spells that don’t destroy but return creatures to the owner’s hand also hinder this strategy, as Fodder Launch requires a creature to be sacrificed for its effect.

Moreover, spells that give your creatures indestructible for a turn or the capacity to regenerate can help you survive the onslaught. Countering Fodder Launch directly with a counterspell is also a solid strategy if your deck allows for it. Ultimately, understanding and anticipating this card’s mechanics will significantly increase your chances of marginalizing its effectiveness in gameplay.

Cards like Fodder Launch

Fodder Launch is a unique action spell in Magic: The Gathering, inviting immediate comparisons to other creature sacrifice and damage-dealing cards. Like Fodder Launch, Bone Splinters allows for the sacrifice of a creature to destroy another creature, but without the additional life loss and specific Goblin synergy. Fodder Launch’s distinctive trait is the whopping 5 life loss to your opponent and the boost it grants a Goblin, adding strategic depth especially in Goblin-themed decks.

Moving across the spectrum, we encounter Goblin Grenade. This iconic spell is also exclusive to Goblin strategies and involves sacrificing a Goblin, but it deals an impressive 5 damage straight to a player or planeswalker. What sets Fodder Launch apart is its ability to target creatures as well, providing flexibility in controlling the battlefield. Lastly, there’s Skirk Prospector, while not a direct damage dealer, this creature echoes the sacrifice element by converting Goblins into valuable red mana, illustrating the versatility of Goblin-centric strategies.

When weighing the damage potential and synergy with Goblin tribal themes, Fodder Launch presents itself as a powerful tool for players favoring aggressive strategies that take advantage of every Goblin at their disposal.

Cards similar to Fodder Launch by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fodder Launch MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Fodder Launch and other MTG cards: