Ogre Berserker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Ogre Berserker
Abilities	Haste
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	4
Toughness	2
Number	111
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David A. Cherry

Key Takeaways

Ogre Berserker provides card advantage and resource acceleration but requires careful hand management.
Its specific mana costs and higher casting price might limit its deck compatibility.
Versatile and potent in combat, Ogre Berserker fits well in aggressive red strategies.

Text of card

Ogre Berserker is unaffected by summoning sickness.

The machine does the growling, so the ogre's free to smile.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ogre Berserker card can enable a player to quickly overwhelm opponents by generating extra draws or compelling discard from the opponent, contributing to an overarching card advantage that can be pivotal in the progress of the game.

Resource Acceleration: This mighty creature often comes with abilities that disrupt the opponent’s rhythm while bolstering your own mana pool or providing alternative resources to deploy further threats onto the battlefield more swiftly than usual.

Instant Speed: Several versions of Ogre Berserker cards can act at instant speed, offering the strategic upper hand of unexpected play. This allows players to adapt to the dynamic battlefield, deploying threats or responding to an opponent’s actions in a timely fashion without having to wait for their own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Ogre Berserker is that activating its abilities typically involves a discard from your hand. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already depleted from earlier plays or if the match requires a strategic hand management.

Specific Mana Cost: Another limitation of the Ogre Berserker is its reliance on a specific mana combination to cast. This can make it challenging to include in decks that run more than one or two colors, potentially restricting its play to mono-red or red-focused decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, the Ogre Berserker carries a higher mana cost for its power and toughness. In comparison to other creatures in the same mana range, you might find that there are alternatives offering equal or greater impact on the battlefield without such stringent conditions, making the Ogre Berserker a less efficient choice in some situations.

Reasons to Include Ogre Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Berserker can be a solid addition to red-based decks that thrive on aggressive strategies. Its inherent power allows it to be a threat on its own while also fitting seamlessly into various deck archetypes that favor high-impact creatures.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Ogre Berserker’s abilities can synergize with cards that capitalize on damaging the opponent or creatures that grow stronger as you attack. This unlocks the door to numerous combo routes and could dramatically shift the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where combat-focused decks are prominent, Ogre Berserker stands out as a card that can effectively contest the board. Its relevance grows in a meta where turning the tides through creature combat is paramount, making it a worthy consideration for players looking to refine their strategy accordingly.

How to beat

Ogre Berserker presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, with its potential to deal significant damage to any player who dares to face it. Despite its strength, this formidable creature can be overcome with strategic play. Controlling it often involves utilizing removal spells efficiently—cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Berserker before it wreaks havoc. Additionally, countering it upon cast with spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak ensures it never hits the board.

Players can also opt for defensive measures, employing creatures with abilities like deathtouch or those high in toughness to discourage attacks or withstand the Berserker’s force. Frost Breath is another tool in a player’s arsenal, capable of neutralizing Ogre Berserker temporarily and providing crucial respite. Engaging with it in combat should be a calculated risk, as its abilities might empower it further. Instead, it can be wise to handle it obliquely, managing threats around it and choosing the right moment to strike or defend.

Ultimately, while Ogre Berserker can be a daunting opponent, its threat can be mitigated with foresight and by taking advantage of its weaknesses. Knowing when to remove, counter, or deflect its blows could be key to claiming victory on the plane where such creatures roam.

Cards like Ogre Berserker

Ogre Berserker is a unique creature card in the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels with cards like Raging Goblin which also emphasizes haste, allowing immediate impact on the game. Though the Raging Goblin has lower stats, it boasts a lower mana cost which can be crucial in the early stages of play. Ogre Berserker, despite its higher cost, compensates with a more formidable presence on the battlefield.

The likeness extends to Smelt-Ward Ignus where an increase in power and toughness for the mana value comes into play as a critical factor. While the Ignus offers a valuable direct damage ability to the mix, Ogre Berserker instead focuses on raw power, making it a hefty force when charging through opposing defenses.

When weighing the strategic benefits between Ogre Berserker and similar creatures, players may find the Berserker’s solid combat stats to be a decisive factor, especially in decks that capitalize on overwhelming the opponent with sheer force.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Ogre Berserker and other MTG cards: