Charging Tuskodon MTG Card


Charging Tuskodon - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Trample
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number97
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byIzzy

Key Takeaways

  1. Trample ability converts excess damage into an indirect form of card advantage against opponents.
  2. Demands strategic deck setup with red mana sources; five mana cost can be restrictive.
  3. Combines well with attack triggers and damage amplifiers, valuable in aggressive strategies.

Text of card

Trample If Charging Tuskodon would deal combat damage to a player, it deals double that damage to that player instead.

It doesn't hold grudges. It runs them down and impales them.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Charging Tuskodon itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to deal excess damage in the form of trample can quickly whittle down an opponent’s card resources by forcing them to block with multiple creatures or lose life. Effectively, this can translate to a form of indirect card advantage as you pressure your opponent’s defenses.

Resource Acceleration: Charging Tuskodon doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration such as adding mana or treasure tokens. However, its substantial damage output can quickly accelerate the game to your favor, essentially shortening the time your opponent has to stabilize their resources and mount an effective defense.

Instant Speed: This characteristic isn’t applicable to Charging Tuskodon as it’s a creature card with no flash. It operates at sorcery speed, which means planning your attacks becomes a key strategic element when incorporating this powerful dinosaur into your deck strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Charging Tuskodon does not impose a discard requirement itself, its presence in a deck often necessitates a strategic setup favoring aggressive play, which might inadvertently lead to a lower hand size, affecting your ability to respond to an opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Charging Tuskodon demands a specific mana combination of red and generic mana, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks or those with a heavy reliance on non-red sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana, which includes three red, Charging Tuskodon could be considered a significant expenditure. In a setting where speed is essential, its cost might overshadow its potential damage output, as other lower-cost creatures may provide a faster impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Charging Tuskodon is a powerful addition to any red deck, fitting seamlessly into aggressive strategies. Due to its trample ability, it ensures that excess damage is not wasted, making it a solid play against a variety of defensive setups.

Combo Potential: This formidable dinosaur excels in decks that maximize attack triggers or double damage effects, which can turn it into a devastating force. Pairing it with cards that increase its power can lead to quick and overwhelming victories.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors robust creature plays or in metas where players might undervalue the importance of preventing trample damage, Charging Tuskodon can be the surprise that puts you ahead. Its ability to push through defenses makes it relevant in a multitude of competitive scenarios.


How to beat Charging Tuskodon

The Charging Tuskodon presents a unique challenge to players with its ability to potentially double the damage it deals to an opponent. This makes it a significant threat that requires a strategic approach to manage. To neutralize this powerhouse, consider employing removal spells. Opt for cost-effective and immediate solutions like Cast Down or Murder, which can dispatch the Tuskodon before it has a chance to attack and trigger its daunting effect. Alternatively, avoid direct confrontation by using enchantments such as Pacifism to render it unable to attack, effectively turning it into a non-issue for the remainder of the game.

In addition to targeted removals, board control spells like Wrath of God offer a clean slate by removing Charging Tuskodon alongside other creatures, which can be a particularly useful reset when facing a board that’s grown out of control. Moreover, chump blocking with smaller creatures can buy crucial time, and using cards with reach or flying can handle the Tuskodon without taking damage, skirting around its double damage ability. Keep in mind that preparation and knowing when to address this creature are key—making sure it doesn’t get an opportunity to apply its pressure on the battlefield is your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the MTG arena with Charging Tuskodon—a card that brings brute force and strategic advantage to red decks. If you’re captivated by the prospect of decimating your opponent’s life total with trample and double damage, this dinosaur is a must-have. Redefine your aggressive strategies and outpace defenses with each calculated attack. Wondering how it stacks up against other powerhouses or seeking the best synergies and counterplays? Let us guide you through utilizing Charging Tuskodon to its full potential, ensuring your MTG sessions are not only about engaging duels but about claiming memorable victories.


Cards like Charging Tuskodon

Charging Tuskodon is a red creature that makes a formidable impact in Magic: The Gathering. It shares traits with other aggressive creatures like Ripjaw Raptor, which also holds a formidable presence on the battlefield. Both have the potential to swing games with their damage outputs, though Ripjaw Raptor offers card draw on being dealt damage, which Charging Tuskodon does not. However, what makes the Tuskodon unique is its ability to deal double damage to players, pressing opponents into a defensive stance.

Looking at other comparable creatures, we see Embermaw Hellion with its power to amplify red damage sources, potentially escalating the threat level of your board. Charging Tuskodon doesn’t offer a global effect but can often be a more direct route to finishing a game. In terms of mana value, Volcanic Dragon is another creature that shares a similar cost but trades the double damage effect for flying, granting it evasion over the immediate power impact of the Tuskodon.

Through the lens of high-impact creatures, Charging Tuskodon can be an explosive addition to decks focused on dealing quick and punishing damage, standing tall among its counterparts in its ability to threaten an opponent’s life total heavily.

Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Embermaw Hellion - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - Ixalan (XLN)
Embermaw Hellion - Magic Origins (ORI)
Volcanic Dragon - Mirage (MIR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Charging Tuskodon MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Charging Tuskodon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Charging Tuskodon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-01-19 If Charging Tuskodon has trample damage to assign to a player, that damage is assigned based on its actual power and is doubled only as it’s dealt. For example, if Charging Tuskodon is blocked by a 3/3 creature, the attacking player can assign 1 damage to the defending player and then Charging Tuskodon deals 2 damage to that player.
2018-01-19 The doubled damage Charging Tuskodon deals is still combat damage.

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