Roaring Primadox MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 188
2014-07-18 - Number 196
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Rewarding for decks that exploit enter-the-battlefield effects or need recurring creature abilities.
- Demands strategic deck construction to avoid drawbacks like undoing field progress.
- Specific green mana requirement may limit its utility in multi-colored decks.
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, return a creature you control to its owner's hand.
"They're easy enough to find. Question is, are you sure you want to find one?" —Juruk, Kalonian tracker
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Roaring Primadox has a unique ability that returns a creature you control to your hand at the beginning of your upkeep. This can be an advantage, as it allows you to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects of other creatures, effectively netting you more utility and value from a single card.
Resource Acceleration: Combining Roaring Primadox with creatures that generate mana or other resources when they enter the battlefield, can lead to a loop of resource acceleration. This repeated process can give you an edge in developing your board state and casting more spells each turn.
Instant Speed: While the Roaring Primadox itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with creatures that have flash, permitting you to create surprise interactions and maximize your turn efficiency. This interaction ensures that you’re always making the most of the creatures you’re returning to your hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Roaring Primadox doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it mandates the return of a creature to your hand during each upkeep. This effect can become a drawback, forcing you to possibly undo progress if you can’t utilize the returned creature again efficiently.
Specific Mana Cost: Roaring Primadox requires one green and three generic mana to cast. This specific setup can restrict the card’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce green mana, limiting its overall flexibility and immediate accessibility in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four total mana needed to bring Roaring Primadox to the battlefield is somewhat costly, considering it doesn’t directly enhance your board upon arrival. Other cards at similar mana costs can offer immediate impact or more powerful, lasting effects which might serve your strategy better.
Reasons to Include Roaring Primadox in Your Collection
Versatility: Roaring Primadox offers a unique flexibility in deck-building. Whether it’s leveraging its ability to return creatures to your hand in a control setup or using it in a more aggressive strategy to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects, Roaring Primadox finds its place in various archetypes.
Combo Potential: The consistent return of creatures to your hand each turn creates numerous combo opportunities, particularly with creatures that have powerful effects when they enter the battlefield or with cards that benefit from being cast multiple times.
Meta-Relevance: When the meta is saturated with decks that capitalize on recurring creature abilities or require flexible responses to an ever-changing board state, Roaring Primadox can become an invaluable addition, constantly providing utility and board presence.
How to Beat Roaring Primadox
Confronting Roaring Primadox in Magic: The Gathering can be a tricky affair, especially given its unique ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand at the beginning of each upkeep. This four-mana green creature can be both a boon and a bane, depending on which side of the battlefield you are on.
To effectively counter Roaring Primadox, consider utilizing removal spells that can bypass its recurring effect. Direct damage spells, like Lightning Bolt, or universal removals like Murder, can make quick work of the Primadox before its ability becomes a significant problem. Additionally, employing counterspells when Roaring Primadox is cast is a highly efficient method to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place.
Another strategy involves exploiting the compulsory bounce of Roaring Primadox by pressuring your opponent with aggressive creatures that can benefit from the lack of blockers. Engaging swiftly and applying continuous pressure can often lead to victory against decks that rely on Roaring Primadox’s looping mechanism. Remember, staying proactive and targeting with precision can sway the game in your favor against the might of the Roaring Primadox.
Cards like Roaring Primadox
Roaring Primadox stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature that can shape your gameplay. When compared with other cards that have similar abilities, Roaring Primadox offers a constant, yet compulsory, way to recycle creatures from the battlefield to your hand each turn. This mechanic is reminiscent of Stampeding Wildebeests and Stampeding Serow, both of which also require the bouncing back of a creature to your hand during your upkeep. However, Roaring Primadox is unique in its mono-green color identity, which can be seamlessly integrated into green-centric decks without the color commitments that multicolored options may require.
Another card worth mentioning in this context is Erratic Portal, an artifact that allows you control over the return of creatures to one’s hand, but this time, at the cost of mana for each activation. While this offers versatility and control, Roaring Primadox provides a consistent effect without the continuous mana investment. This can be an advantage for players looking to exploit enter the battlefield effects or evade removal spells repetitively.
Finally, considering the similarities and differences, Roaring Primadox can serve as a dynamic piece in decks tailored to leverage bouncing creatures, setting it distinctly within its niche among Magic: The Gathering cards.
Cards similar to Roaring Primadox by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Roaring Primadox MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Magic 2015, 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 Roaring Primadox and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Printings
The Roaring Primadox Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by James Ryman.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 188 | 2003 | normal | black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 196 | 2015 | normal | black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Roaring Primadox has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Roaring Primadox card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-01 | Roaring Primadox’s ability is mandatory. When it resolves, if Roaring Primadox is the only creature you control, you must return it to its owner’s hand. |
| 2014-07-18 | The ability doesn’t target any creature. You choose which one to return when the ability resolves. No player can respond to this choice once the ability starts resolving. |
