Cho-Arrim Bruiser MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Rebel |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 9 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Paolo Parente |
Key Takeaways
- Cho-Arrim Bruiser can tilt card advantage in your favor by discarding opponent’s valuable cards on damage.
- Executing strategic land taps and untaps, it enhances resource acceleration within synergistic deck frameworks.
- The card’s instant speed Mercenary interactions allow for surprise plays, amplifying its battlefield influence.
Text of card
Whenever Cho-Arrim Bruiser attacks, you may tap up to two target creatures.
He doesn't know why the Cho-Arrim fight the Mercadians, but he's happy to bash heads for them anyway.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cho-Arrim Bruiser offers the utility of potentially discarding an opponent’s card when it successfully deals damage to them. This disrupts their game plan and can lead to a card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The creature’s ability to tap and untap lands with a successful hit can be a substantial form of resource acceleration, particularly in synergistic decks that aim to make the most of every mana.
Instant Speed: Though Cho-Arrim Bruiser itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its Mercenary tag means it could be fetched onto the battlefield at the end of an opponent’s turn using other instant speed Mercenary abilities, representing a strategic advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cho-Arrim Bruiser may call for some sacrifices in your hand as you’ll need to potentially discard other valuable cards to meet specific battlefield conditions or effects, dwindling your hand size and affecting your long-term strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast Cho-Arrim Bruiser includes both general and white mana, making it less flexible for multi-color deck optimization and potentially a clunky draw if your mana base isn’t properly tuned.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be deemed steep for its stats and abilities, Cho-Arrim Bruiser faces competition from other creatures that could be more cost-effective, providing you with greater utility or impact right away.
Reasons to Include Cho-Arrim Bruiser in Your Collection
Versatility: The Cho-Arrim Bruiser offers flexibility in deck-building. It’s a creature that can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset, adapting to various board states and enhancing strategies centered around tapping and untapping creatures.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with cards that capitalize on the untap mechanic. Its ability to potentially untap after combat opens up interesting combo opportunities within decks focused on using and reusing creature abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures frequently go head-to-head, Cho-Arrim Bruiser’s ability to become untapped can be a significant advantage. It remains relevant, especially in environments where combat tricks and creature-based strategies prevail.
How to beat Cho-Arrim Bruiser
Cho-Arrim Bruiser is one of those cards in Magic: The Gathering that can quickly become a nuisance if not addressed early in the game. This powerful card is known for its ability to lock down creatures and become unblockable, presenting a challenge for players on the opposing side of the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, a strategy needs to be in place that mitigates its strengths and exploits its vulnerabilities.
One effective approach is through the use of removal spells to directly eliminate Cho-Arrim Bruiser from the battlefield before it can assert dominance. Spells like Murder or Doom Blade are excellent tools for handling this threat, as they can swiftly remove the Bruiser regardless of its protective mechanics. Creature-based strategies can also be effective, especially those that employ flying or reach abilities, which Cho-Arrim Bruiser cannot easily block. Additionally, utilizing enchantment removal such as Disenchant or Naturalize to target auras potentially enhancing the Bruiser also helps in limiting its board impact.
Key is to anticipate its arrival and prepare your battlefield accordingly, ensuring that you have the necessary resources to respond to it without delay. With careful play and the right set of answers, maintaining control and ultimately defeating Cho-Arrim Bruiser becomes a manageable task, solidifying your position in the game.
Cards like Cho-Arrim Bruiser
Exploring the dynamics of Magic: The Gathering’s creature cards, Cho-Arrim Bruiser stands out with its distinctive abilities. Drawing parallels to other creature cards in MTG, Cho-Arrim Bruiser can be likened to cards like Ardent Soldier, as both cards have the capacity to grow stronger through various game mechanics. Ardent Soldier offers a similar defensive edge with its kicker ability that boosts its defensive capabilities when additional mana is spent during casting. However, it does not carry the potential to stymie an opponent’s defensive artifacts in the same manner Cho-Arrim Bruiser does.
Analogous to the Bruiser, cards such as the Loxodon Partisan also bring power to the battlefield, but the Bruiser advantages from being able to potentially neutralize equipment that opponents might utilize for defense or offense. This makes it not just a strong attacker but also a strategic play against decks that rely heavily on artifacts. Still, while Loxodon Partisan bolsters an army by supporting other creatures with its battle cry ability, Cho-Arrim Bruiser focuses on individual prowess and control, presenting a unique approach to gameplay.
Comparatively, the uniqueness of Cho-Arrim Bruiser lies in its versatility and the potential to change the course of the game by directly affecting the equipment strategies prevalent within MTG’s extensive card pool.
Cards similar to Cho-Arrim Bruiser by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cho-Arrim Bruiser MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Cho-Arrim Bruiser 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cho-Arrim Bruiser has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
