Rustmouth Ogre MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Ogre
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Power	5
Toughness	4
Number	103
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brian Snõddy

Key Takeaways

Rustmouth Ogre provides consistent artifact removal, disrupting opponent strategies each combat round.
Restrictive activation cost and high mana value might limit deck compatibility and turn efficiency.
Offers strategic depth to red or artifact-centric decks, adapting well to meta shifts favoring artifacts.

Text of card

Whenever Rustmouth Ogre deals combat damage to a player, you may destroy target artifact that player controls.

It has an iron stomach. Literally.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Rustmouth Ogre grants valuable board presence by acting as a recurring source of artifact removal. Each time it deals damage to an opponent, it enables you to destroy an artifact they control, potentially stripping away their tools and disrupting their strategies turn after turn.

Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t directly produce mana or treasures, Rustmouth Ogre’s ability to repeatedly dismantle artifact-based ramp utilized by opponents can significantly slow them down, hindering their resource acceleration while you continue to develop your board unaffected.

Instant Speed: While Rustmouth Ogre itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to affect board state immediately upon dealing damage allows it to interact with and respond to the artifacts your opponent controls in a way that can impact their decisions at critical moments, akin to instant-speed disruption.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rustmouth Ogre asks you to sacrifice an artifact to activate its ability. This might be taxing in an artifact-light deck, restricting card synergy and value.

Specific Mana Cost: With a demanding mana requirement that includes both red and colorless, Rustmouth Ogre may complicate matters for multicolor decks craving a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Spending six mana could be quite a commitment, especially when evaluating potential threats or answers available on the same expense tier in the current playing environment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rustmouth Ogre offers a unique niche in Artifact-centric or red-based aggro decks. Its ability to destroy artifacts after inflicting combat damage allows for strategic plays, making it adaptable to varied game situations.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of destructive combos, especially in decks that can manipulate combat damage triggers or reuse artifact destruction. It synergizes well with strategies focusing on recurring creatures or artifacts from the graveyard, adding layers to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting meta that occasionally favors artifact-heavy decks, Rustmouth Ogre can serve as a valuable asset. Its presence in your collection means you are prepared to dismantle opponents’ strategies that rely heavily on artifacts, keeping you one step ahead in the game.

How to beat

Rustmouth Ogre is a unique creature that presents a distinct challenge on the battlefield. With its ability to deal damage to artifact creatures simply by virtue of its attack, it can disrupt strategies reliant on such permanents. To counteract the Rustmouth Ogre’s effect, one could employ removal spells that specifically target creatures before they can become a threat, such as Doom Blade or Murder. These ensure that the Rustmouth Ogre is dealt with immediately and efficiently, circumventing its potential for damage.

Another effective strategy is to limit the artifacts on your side of the field, especially those that are creature-based, to reduce the efficacy of the Ogre’s destructive capability. Including versatile artifacts that can sacrifice themselves for value or ones that are not fundamentally creatures can mitigate the risk. Additionally, placing creatures with higher toughness onto the battlefield ensures that even if the Ogre engages in combat, its ability alone won’t be enough to eliminate them, thus preserving your board presence and momentum in the game.

Adapting your approach and staying one step ahead will go a long way against a Rustmouth Ogre. By carefully considering your plays and maintaining control over the board state, you can effectively dampen the Ogre’s impact and secure your path to victory.

Cards like Rustmouth Ogre

Rustmouth Ogre stands out in the MTG universe as a unique creature card, reminiscent of other artifact devouring creatures. Much like Hearth Kami and Oxidda Scrapmelter, Rustmouth Ogre shares the ability to destroy artifacts which can turn the tide in artifact-heavy matches. However, the Ogre takes a distinctive spot due to its larger body, enabling it to act as both a viable threat and a solution to problematic artifacts.

Comparatively, Ingot Chewer presents a similar utility with its Evoke cost, offering an immediate artifact destruction at a lower mana value. This can be advantageous in earlier gameplay stages or when maintaining mana efficiency is crucial. While Ferrovore doesn’t provide the immediate artifact removal, it offers a repeatable source of advantage by sacrificing artifacts to boost its own power.

All in all, Rustmouth Ogre offers an intriguing blend of offensive presence and artifact removal that can be a game-changer, especially in formats where artifacts are prevalent. Its comparative advantage lies in its dual role as an artifact destroyer and a significant attacking force, making it a multipurpose asset in any deck that matches its red ethos.

Cards similar to Rustmouth Ogre by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rustmouth Ogre 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 Rustmouth Ogre and other MTG cards: