Moriok Scavenger MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Rogue
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	68
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Puddnhead

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by retrieving artifacts, enhancing hand options and board presence.
Demands discard and has a restrictive mana cost, potentially limiting its versatility.
High combo potential and meta relevance make it a strategic pick in artifact-heavy decks.

Text of card

When Moriok Scavenger comes into play, you may return target artifact creature card from your graveyard to your hand.

Many go to Mephidross in search of lost riches. Most end up as part of the cache.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Moriok Scavenger’s ability to return an artifact from your graveyard to your hand can serve as a form of card advantage. Getting back key pieces keeps your hand full and your options open.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that synergize with artifacts, the Scavenger can be part of a combo chain that accelerates your board presence. Bringing back artefacts that generate mana or have cost-reducing effects can lead to a significant ramp in resources.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Moriok Scavenger can benefit from artifacts and spells that operate at instant speed. This interaction allows you to make the most out of surprise elements and quick responses during the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Moriok Scavenger demands that you part with another card from your hand, which can be particularly taxing during the late game when hand size is often already diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Scavenger leans heavily into black mana, which might restrict its inclusion to mono-black or similar builds, limiting your deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of 4 mana, the return on investment for Moriok Scavenger can be questioned when stacked against other options that retrieve cards from your graveyard for less mana or with added benefits.

Reasons to Include Moriok Scavenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Moriok Scavenger offers flexibility in deckbuilding as it aligns with artifact and graveyard-based strategies. Its ability to potentially return an artifact from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield makes it a useful card in various situations.

Combo Potential: With the Moriok Scavenger’s enter-the-battlefield effect, players can craft combinations that recycle key artifacts, enabling them to be reused for powerful effects or simply to derive incremental value over the course of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In match-ups where attrition is common, the recycling capability of Moriok Scavenger can be crucial. It becomes particularly effective if the current meta-game favors decks that utilize artifacts or if it’s common for players to target and destroy these key pieces.

How to beat

The Moriok Scavenger card presents itself as a strategic component for artifact-centric decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to return an artifact card from your graveyard to your hand offers a reusable advantage, especially in formats where artifacts play a pivotal role. It operates as a regaining mechanism, allowing players to recycle powerful artifact pieces that may have been lost in earlier turns.

Defeating an opponent wielding Moriok Scavenger demands a tactful approach. Consider employing graveyard disruption tools that can either exile or manipulate the opponent’s graveyard to minimize the advantages gained from the Scavenger’s ability. Strategic use of instant-speed removal can also disrupt the timing of the Scavenger’s artifact return, potentially nullifying the intended recursion. Moreover, efficient creature control is advisable to suppress Moriok Scavenger before it can effectively reuse artifacts, inhibiting the card’s contribution to your opponent’s longer-term strategies.

By understanding the mechanisms through which Moriok Scavenger operates and preparing your deck with appropriate countermeasures, you stand a solid chance of tempering its impact on the game, ensuring that your strategy remains one step ahead.

Cards like Moriok Scavenger

Moriok Scavenger is an intriguing creature card in the vast array of options available to MTG players. It bears a resemblance to cards like Gravedigger, which also allows you to return a creature from your graveyard to your hand upon entering the battlefield. The Moriok Scavenger stands out due to its artifact-centric revival, specifically targeting artifact creatures, which can be especially beneficial in artifact-heavy decks.

Another comparable card is Myr Retriever, which returns an artifact card from your graveyard to your hand when it dies. While the retriever doesn’t select creatures specifically, it provides flexibility in recapturing any valuable artifact. The Scavenger offers an immediate impact as it retrieves artifact creatures right when it enters the battlefield, which could potentially allow for quicker plays.

When analyzing these cards alongside Moriok Scavenger, the latter might shine in an environment where artifact creatures are key components of your strategy. Its ability to mesh artifact synergy with creature recovery lays a foundation for powerful combinations and recursion strategies within MTG.

Cards similar to Moriok Scavenger by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Moriok Scavenger MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Moriok Scavenger and other MTG cards: