Ordruun Veteran MTG Card


Ordruun Veteran - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Minotaur Soldier
Abilities Battalion
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Power 3
Toughness 1
Number184
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Staples

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates tokens with lifelink, strengthening board position without depleting your hand.
  2. Its precise mana cost can limit deck-building flexibility and tempo.
  3. Fits well in decks with battalion synergies, boosting its competitive viability.

Text of card

Battalion — Whenever Ordruun Veteran and at least two other creatures attack, Ordruun Veteran gains double strike until end of turn. (It deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

"My father was Gruul, but I chose the precision of the legion over the fury of the pack."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ordruun Veteran has the battalion ability which, when triggered, creates two 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens with lifelink. This provides a player with increased board presence without losing cards from hand, effectively maintaining or building card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Ordruun Veteran itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, the generated tokens can be pivotal as chump blockers or sacrifice fodder, preserving life and more valuable creatures—essentially, a resource not quantified by mana but critical in many gameplay situations.

Instant Speed: Although Ordruun Veteran operates at sorcery speed as a creature, the lifelink tokens generated by its battalion ability come into play attacking, potentially at instant speed between the declaration of attackers and damage steps. This ability can surprise unprepared opponents, leading to advantageous combat scenarios.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ordruun Veteran’s battalion ability can push players to deplete their hand faster to maintain the necessary card to trigger its ability. This can leave players vulnerable if they’re unable to sustain a sufficient card count.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Ordruun Veteran requires a precise combination of mana colors which can challenge deck flexibility. Decks without a strong mana base or those that do not run both red and white may not reap the full benefits of this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other creatures and spells in the game that can be cast for less and offer similar or greater impact, Ordruun Veteran’s four mana cost can make it a less appealing choice in a deck that needs to maintain tempo against opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ordruun Veteran is a flexible card that slots comfortably into various deck types, especially those looking to capitalize on Battalion and aggressive synergies.

Combo Potential: This card can create powerful interactions in decks that focus on tapping and untapping creatures, potentially leading to multiple combat phases or other advantageous scenarios.

Meta-Relevance: As the environment shifts toward creature-centric decks, Ordruun Veteran’s ability to withstand and excel in combat phases makes it a pertinent choice for maintaining competitive edge.


How to beat

Ordruun Veteran presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in the game of Magic: The Gathering. This card functions as a stalwart ally, featuring battalion, which can be a real hurdle if you’re facing one across the table. The key to surpassing an Ordruun Veteran lies in preventing the activation of its battalion ability. This means hindering it from attacking with two other creatures and therefore blocking it from getting double strike until end of turn.

A sound strategy involves controlling the board by removing potential attackers before they swarm. Utilizing removal spells adeptly will keep the battlefield clear and the battalion dormant. Cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can also be highly effective, as they bypass the need to target individual threats and can undermine the synergistic nature of your opponent’s strategy. Another angle is to employ counterspells or other disruption to prevent your opponent from establishing a substantial presence. In the end, mastering how to disrupt your opponent’s formation will be the best way to ensure victory against cards like Ordruun Veteran and safeguard your path to triumph in the game.


Cards like Ordruun Veteran

Ordruun Veteran occupies a unique place in the roster of creatures with battalion abilities. This card holds similarities with other creatures like Frontline Medic, which also harnesses the battalion mechanic. When Ordruun Veteran attacks with at least two other creatures, it gains the advantage of double strike until end of turn, rewarding players for fielding a wide board. Frontline Medic offers a battalion bonus too, granting indestructible to your attacking creatures, a boon for maintaining board presence.

Comparing it with Wojek Halberdiers, another creature with battalion, Ordruun Veteran stands out with its higher toughness, allowing it to survive tougher combats. Wojek Halberdiers earns first strike when its battalion ability activates, yet lacks the double-hitting power that comes with Ordruun Veteran’s double strike. Daring Skyjek is yet another battalion card, but it attains flying rather than an offensive boost, illustrating the diversity in battalion abilities and the strategic decisions they entail for building attacking synergies.

Ultimately, Ordruun Veteran serves as a formidable option for players keen on aggressive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It appeals to those aiming to maximize combat damage and looking for durable creatures that benefit from attacking in numbers.

Frontline Medic - MTG Card versions
Wojek Halberdiers - MTG Card versions
Daring Skyjek - MTG Card versions
Frontline Medic - MTG Card versions
Wojek Halberdiers - MTG Card versions
Daring Skyjek - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ordruun Veteran MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Ordruun Veteran and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ordruun Veteran has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ordruun Veteran card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn’t matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves.
2013-04-15 The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully.
2013-04-15 The three attacking creatures don’t have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker.

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