Foratog MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Atog
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Foratog boosts decks, transforming lands into offensive power at instant speed, enhancing game strategy.
  2. Despite its power, Foratog’s need for land sacrifices can hinder mana accessibility and overall gameplay.
  3. Its role within specific land-based strategies and combos highlights Foratog as a valuable collection addition.

Text of card

o G, Sacrifice a forest: +2/+2 until end of turn

Five hundred years to grow—barely a minute to eat.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you deploy the Foratog, a strategic benefit lies in its power to enhance card efficiency in your deck. This creature can be optimized in combinations that allow you to transform excess land cards into a formidable offensive presence on the battlefield, effectively turning what might be a dead draw into a fueled asset for your game plan.

Resource Acceleration: In synergy-heavy decks, Foratog can act as a catalyst for resource acceleration. By sacrificing lands, you not only boost its power, but also enable interactions with land recursion strategies or Graveyard play. This generates a formidable advantage by reusing resources that would otherwise remain untapped, positioning you favorably as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Foratog itself is not an instant, its ability can be used at instant speed. This characteristic allows you to surprise opponents by increasing its power during the combat phase or in response to an action, making it versatile and unpredictable. Additionally, this can be a defensive maneuver, deterring attacks by holding the threat of an unexpected power boost, which can be a game-changer when facing down enemy creatures.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Foratog requires you to sacrifice a Forest card as part of the cost for its ability. This could deplete your mana sources and impact your ability to play other cards later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Foratog’s activation cost demands one green mana which means you’ll need to have a green-based deck or at least include mana-fixing cards to guarantee you can use its ability when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that is focused on a specific action, the Foratog’s overall mana cost may be considered on the higher side when compared to other creatures which may offer better board presence or versatility for the same or less investment.


Reasons to Include Foratog in Your Collection

Versatility: Foratog is a classic card that can slip into various deck types. It’s particularly handy in strategies that capitalize on sacrificing permanents for beneficial effects. Its ability to consume forests means it pairs well with land recycling tactics or with decks that benefit from lands hitting the graveyard.

Combo Potential: This creature shines when paired with cards that bring lands back from the graveyard to the battlefield or to your hand. This synergy not only fuels Foratog’s power but also enables repeatable combos that can be devastating in the right setup, turning land plays into potent offensive moves.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where the graveyard is a resource and land destruction or sacrifice is prevalent, Foratog gains natural relevance. It becomes a flexible asset, adapting to various situations whether by growing in power to overpower opponents or by integrating into complex land-based combo engines.


How to beat

Foratog, a creature card from Magic the Gathering, presents players with both a challenge and an opportunity. This amphibious creature card thrives on the sacrifice of lands, getting stronger with each one sent to the graveyard. To effectively counter Foratog, strategic management of your removal resources is key. Timing your spells can make all the difference. Cards that restrict a player’s ability to sacrifice other permanents, like Ashiok, Dream Render, can swiftly neutralize Foratog’s growing power. Moreover, employing land destruction strategies of your own can disrupt the synergy that Foratog relies on, cutting off its power supply before it becomes a significant threat.

Bouncing Foratog back to its owner’s hand with spells like Unsummon provides a temporary but immediate solution. On a more permanent note, exile mechanics bypass the graveyard entirely, leaving no room for Foratog to claw its way back into the game. Consider cards like Path to Exile that offer a clean and efficient way to handle such threats. Be aware of your opponent’s strategy, and if Foratog is central to their gameplay, direct your focus on maintaining control over the battlefield. Keep your answers ready, and the troublesome Foratog can be handled with precision and foresight.


Cards like Foratog

Foratog stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering with its unique ability to feed on forests for a temporary power boost. In the vast ecosystem of MTG, compare Foratog to Obsianus Golem, which is solid on its own but lacks the dynamic power flux. Both cards require a hefty five mana investment, yet Foratog’s potential for growth can prove pivotal in the heat of battle.

Another similar creature to consider is Thicket Elemental. While both cards interact with forests, Thicket Elemental with its kicker ability, brings more creatures into play rather than empowering itself. This presents a strategic divergence based on whether you seek an immediate board presence or the potential for a single massive attacker.

Exploring further, we find Uktabi Orangutan, which shares Foratog’s green color and has an affinity for the wild. Uktabi Orangutan offers a one-off artifact removal upon entry rather than Foratog’s repeatable boost. Depending on the matchup, this could be a more optimal disruption against artifact-heavy opponents.

In ultimate analysis, Foratog may not be the king of the MTG jungle, but within its niche of forest synergies, it can certainly become a formidable force if played to its strengths.

Obsianus Golem - MTG Card versions
Thicket Elemental - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Orangutan - MTG Card versions
Obsianus Golem - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Thicket Elemental - Invasion (INV)
Uktabi Orangutan - Visions (VIS)

Cards similar to Foratog by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Brindle Boar - MTG Card versions
Wood Elves - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wood Elves - New Capenna Commander (NCC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Foratog MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Eighth Edition, 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 Foratog and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Foratog Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by Mark Poole.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 2171997normalblackMark Poole
22003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2492003normalwhiteMark Poole
32003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 249★2003normalblackMark Poole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Foratog has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks