Emerald Oryx MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Antelope
Abilities	Forestwalk
Released	2009-07-17
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2010
Set code	M10
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	179
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daren Bader

Key Takeaways

Advantages include card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant speed actions during gameplay.
Drawbacks are card discard, restrictive mana needs, and its higher mana cost comparably.
Elevates green decks with versatility, combo potential, and relevance in the current meta.

Text of card

Forestwalk (This creature is unblockable as long as defending player controls a Forest.)

After the oryx dies, its flesh returns to the earth, but its emerald bones remain as a tribute to the forest.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Emerald Oryx excels in providing a steady flow of card advantage over time. With its ability to sift through the deck, this card helps you find the necessary resources to maintain a strong presence on the battlefield, ensuring you never run out of steam during critical moments of the game.

Resource Acceleration: This versatile card’s second ability directly contributes to your resource acceleration, enabling quicker and more formidable plays. By facilitating access to additional mana, Emerald Oryx allows for a faster deployment of high-cost creatures and spells, propelling you ahead of your opponent in the race for board dominance.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, Emerald Oryx vastly improves your reactive capabilities during gameplay. Its deft integration into any phase of the turn keeps opponents guessing, while providing the flexibility to adapt to swiftly changing board states. This tactical advantage ensures that you can respond adeptly to new threats, or simply optimize your strategy under the cloak of uncertainty.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Emerald Oryx often means you’ll have to part with another card from your hand. This can disrupt your game plan and be particularly detrimental when you’re already grappling with a depleted hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Given that Emerald Oryx requires green mana, it’s naturally constraining in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency. This can result in the card sitting idle in hand instead of impacting the board.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a significant amount of mana to cast, Emerald Oryx demands a lot from your mana pool. In the bracket of its mana cost, you might find other creatures or spells that provide a greater immediate impact or versatility in play.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Emerald Oryx offers flexibility to green decks, adept at bolstering your board presence while providing a steadfast blocker due to its solid stats.

Combo Potential: Utilize this card’s distinct abilities to synchronize with decks that profit from creature count, as it’s particularly conducive to strategies revolving around forestwalk or enhancing creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment dominated by green’s power, Emerald Oryx’s aptitude for slipping past defenses with forestwalk makes it a tactically sound choice against decks that heavily rely on forests.

How to beat

The Emerald Oryx card introduces a unique dynamic to any MTG game. With its blend of green mana’s inherent connection to nature and creatures, this card can be both an offensive and defensive asset on the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, players should consider strategies that neutralize the abilities or stats that make Emerald Oryx a challenge. If this creature boasts a formidable defense, players may want to employ removal spells or abilities that bypass defenses, such as flying or trample, where ground blockers become irrelevant.

Having a versatile removal suite in your deck is essential, as they allow you to adapt swiftly and address creatures like Emerald Oryx directly. Cards like Murderous Rider or Abrupt Decay provide efficient ways to handle tough creatures. You might also consider the use of bounce spells that return the Oryx to the opponent’s hand, delaying their game and giving you an advantage. Also, don’t forget the power of board-wiping spells like Wrath of God, which can clear the board of stubborn creatures and reset the playing field.

Remember, developing a diverse strategy within your deck to manage potential threats will give you the upper hand not just against Emerald Oryx, but across your matches. It’s the careful crafting of your deck and tactical in-game decisions that often lead to victory in MTG.

Cards like Emerald Oryx

The Emerald Oryx introduces a refreshing presence in MTG’s array of creatures. Comparable to other cards like Obstinate Baloth, it provides a robust body on the battlefield. Both creatures share the capacity to influence the course of the game upon entry with their formidable stats. The Emerald Oryx’s uniqueness stands in its gem-affinity ability, closely tied to the new gem mechanics introduced.

Additionally, Leatherback Baloth, is often identified for its noteworthy power and toughness given its cost. It, too, boasts impressive stats but lacks the gem-related synergies the Emerald Oryx has. Finding a creature with the right blend of abilities and cost is key and Emerald Oryx with its potential interactions in gem-centric decks may offer a distinct advantage in specific MTG strategies.

In the straightforward comparison of creatures that optimize the power-to-cost ratio, Emerald Oryx holds its ground. Its inclusion in decks that capitalize on the gem mechanics could indeed tip the scales in contrast to other similar creatures. As a result, players seeking to harness the full potential of gem interactions should consider the strategic value Emerald Oryx could add to their MTG gameplay.

Cards similar to Emerald Oryx by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Emerald Oryx MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010, 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 Emerald Oryx and other MTG cards: