Torpid Moloch MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Lizard
Abilities	Defender
Released	2005-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica: City of Guilds
Set code	RAV
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	147
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Paolo Parente

Key Takeaways

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Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Sacrifice three lands: Torpid Moloch loses defender until end of turn.

Market hucksters sell molochs for use as watchdogs. Of course, that's all molochs do. Sit around . . . and watch.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Torpid Moloch doesn’t directly offer card draw, its low casting cost allows for early board presence, keeping your hand free to play other strategic cards as the game develops.

Resource Acceleration: Torpid Moloch, with its sacrifice ability, may seem a drawback at first. However, it can be a discreet benefit in decks that exploit graveyard synergies, effectively serving as a catalyst for more potent plays.

Instant Speed: The Moloch’s activated ability which can be activated at instant speed, offers flexibility, allowing players to wait for the optimum moment for its sacrifice, potentially disrupting opponents’ strategies or saving it from exile effects.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When considering the Torpid Moloch card for your MTG deck, be aware that triggering its defensive capabilities necessitates a card discard. This can be a hindering factor, especially during tight matches when maintaining a healthy hand is crucial. Releasing the Moloch from its defender status might cost you valuable card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the challenges in integrating Torpid Moloch into a deck is the specific mana requirement. Its casting cost involves red mana, which might not align well with multi-color deck strategies or those focusing on other mana types, potentially impacting deck flexibility and mana curve optimization.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it’s a creature card designed for early battlefield presence, its mana cost might not always justify the investment compared to other creatures in its mana range. Given that Torpid Moloch comes with a drawback in its need to discard, its overall cost-effectiveness in a swiftly evolving game environment could deter some players from including it in their deck lineup.

Reasons to Include Torpid Moloch in Your Collection

Versatility: Despite its initial downside of not being able to block, Torpid Moloch shines in its flexibility. Once unleashed, this card provides a substantial one-mana attacker that fits seamlessly into aggressive red deck strategies.

Combo Potential: In a deck that leverages sacrifice mechanics, Torpid Moloch can be a key player. It’s a cost-effective creature to use with cards that require sacrificing a creature for a greater benefit, fitting perfectly into combos that capitalize on such interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG is currently seeing aggressive red decks in vogue, Torpid Moloch can be an unexpected addition to catch opponents off-guard. Its ability to start swinging early in the game could very well tip the scales in matches that are all about setting a rapid pace.

How to beat Torpid Moloch

Torpid Moloch presents a unique tactical challenge in the game of Magic: The Gathering. With its surprisingly low casting cost for a creature with substantial defense points, Torpid Moloch could at first appear as a tough barrier to overcome. However, the downside this card possesses is the inability to block unless it’s been activated by sacrificing a land, which presents a strategic vulnerability to exploit.

To effectively counteract Torpid Moloch, it’s advantageous to implement a strategy that pressures your opponent into making hard choices. You can encourage them to use the Moloch’s activation and deplete their lands, subsequently affecting their mana resources for the rest of the game. Employing direct removal spells that can bypass its defense is also an effective measure. Since Torpid Moloch requires an activation cost, time-sensitive spells or abilities that force the opponent to act or cause the Moloch to be tapped, leaving the opponent unable to block, are especially potent strategies.

In essence, defeating Torpid Moloch requires a blend of patience and strategic timing. By forcing the opponent’s hand and making it costly for them to utilize the Moloch’s full potential, one can navigate around this seemingly impenetrable wall and pave the way to victory.

Cards like Torpid Moloch

When delving into the abilities and strategic benefits of Torpid Moloch, we find it has its unique place in the landscape of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Torpid Moloch’s capacity to sacrifice itself to deal damage is reminiscent of cards like Mogg Fanatic. Like Torpid Moloch, Mogg Fanatic offers the player control over timing, providing an option for damage output or board control at a moment’s notice. The difference lies in Mogg Fanatic’s immediate impact without needing to wait for summoning sickness to dissipate.

Another card to consider is Keldon Marauders, which presents a guaranteed damage output over a defined timeframe due to its vanishing mechanic. While Torpid Moloch requires specific conditions to unleash its damage potential, Keldon Marauders ensures a minimum level of impact irrespective of board presence. This could be advantageous in a deck that aims for consistent, predictable damage.

Assessing Torpid Moloch in relation to its contemporaries, it’s a card that offers strategic flexibility for those who can maneuver its activated ability wisely. With careful play, it can become an unexpected source of damage, underlining its mettle within its category.

Cards similar to Torpid Moloch by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Torpid Moloch MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Torpid Moloch and other MTG cards: