Atogatog MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Atog |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 286 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spears |
Key Takeaways
- Commanding Atogatog can convert a wide creature base into overwhelming power, creating an advantage on the field.
- Atogatog’s instant speed ability adds flexibility, allowing surprise plays and responses to opponents’ moves.
- Despite its high cost and specific mana needs, Atogatog’s tribal synergy and combo potential can be game-changing.
Text of card
Sacrifice an Atog: Atogatog gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the sacrificed Atog's power.
It relishes old-fashioned family meals.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Atogatog can be a key card in decks that focus on card synergy, allowing for the sacrifice of other “Atog” creatures to buff its power and toughness. This enables a player to turn a wide board presence into a significant threat, potentially gaining an edge over opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While Atogatog itself doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, it does play into strategies that capitalize on the numerous Atog family members. These creatures often have abilities that interact with resources, and in utilizing them alongside Atogatog, you can effectively accelerate your game plan.
Instant Speed: Atogatog’s ability to consume other Atogs isn’t limited by speed, meaning you can activate its ability at instant speed. This offers the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn, surprise them with sudden power increase during combat, or even react to removal spells by making Atogatog stronger and more threatening in an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Atogatog can be a challenging move if it means you must bid farewell to valuable cards in hand. This can be especially difficult when your hand size is dwindling, and every card is a precious resource.
Specific Mana Cost: Atogatog’s hunger for a varied mana diet can be hard to satisfy as it requires a specific combination of all five MTG color symbols. This can turn deck construction into a fine art, only suitable for the most color-flexible of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the heavier side, Atogatog may arrive late to the party. Weighing the mana invested against the impact on the battlefield, there are other creatures that might swing the game in your favor without the hefty price tag.
Reasons to Include Atogatog in Your Collection
Versatility: Atogatog slips into various deck brews with ease, proving especially valuable in tribal builds or those that exploit the ‘sacrifice creature’ mechanic for strategic advantage.
Combo Potential: Bursting with synergies, Atogatog can be the linchpin in intricate combos by devouring fellow Atogs to accumulate a game-ending attack, delivering a uniquely satisfying win condition.
Meta-Relevance: While not at the forefront of every competitive scene, a well-timed Atogatog play can disrupt common meta strategies, especially in casual or commander circles where surprise factor and unconventional tactics reign supreme.
How to beat
Atogatog, as a commander in Magic the Gathering, presents a unique challenge with its ability to consume other Atogs and grow in power. To counter this, focus on controlling the board and removing Atogs before they can feed Atogatog. Removal spells that can target multiple creatures or exile effects will be your best friends here, as they prevent the Atogs from returning to the battlefield or being used as fuel.
Another effective strategy is limiting your opponent’s resources. Since Atogatog needs a substantial board presence of its brethren to become a threat, land destruction or denying mana can cripple the deck’s ability to play out its game plan. Hand disruption can also be key, stripping away key Atogs and other pivotal cards before they can be cast.
Ultimately, remember that Atogatog relies on synergy between creatures. Keep your opponent’s board clear, manage their resources, and deny them the opportunity to amass their Atog army. With these strategies, Atogatog’s potential threat can be mitigated, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in duel.
Cards like Atogatog
Atogatog sits in a unique niche within Magic: The Gathering as a multicolored lord for a classic tribe, the Atogs. This card finds its closest relatives in other tribal leaders such as Sliver Overlord or The Ur-Dragon, which also offer buffs and abilities for their respect tribes. However, Atogatog is distinct because instead of broad tribal support, it specifically enhances the Atog strategy of consumption and sacrifice for power.
Another creature to consider in comparison is Scion of the Ur-Dragon, which allows for dragon tribal flexibility by fetching any dragon card from your deck. While Scion shapes your board with varied dragon abilities, Atogatog demands a concentrated strategy around Atogs, rewarding players with exponential power growth for each sacrifice made. One could also draw parallels to Reaper King, a scarecrow tribal leader that provides a removal ability when another scarecrow enters the battlefield. Yet, unlike Atogatog, Reaper King has a more control-oriented playstyle which contrasts the aggressive, combo-centric nature of Atogatog.
In the realm of specialized tribal commanders, Atogatog stands out for its unique demand for a very focused type of play. While not as broadly adaptable as Sliver Overlord or as controlling as Reaper King, Atogatog provides a fun and quirky challenge for players who appreciate the singular appeal of Atog tribal synergy.
Cards similar to Atogatog by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Atogatog MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Atogatog 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 Atogatog has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
