Possessed Barbarian MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Barbarian Horror
Abilities	First strike,Threshold
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	111
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Forces opponents to discard, trimming their resources while you benefit from discarded card mechanics.
Instant speed activation adds flexibility and surprise, disrupting opponent strategies at critical moments.
Specific mana requirements limit deck versatility but encourage focused Rakdos strategies.

Text of card

First strike Threshold Possessed Barbarian gets +1/+1, is black, and has "o B, oc T: Destroy target red creature." (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Possessed Barbarian offers the strategic edge of forcing your opponent to discard a card, effectively trimming down their resources while you potentially benefit from what was discarded.

Resource Acceleration: When the Possessed Barbarian’s ability triggers, it presents an opportunity to reap the benefits of resource acceleration. You could exploit the discarded cards, especially if they are those with flashback or similar mechanics, accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Possessed Barbarian’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or at a moment that’s most inconvenient for them, thus holding the element of surprise in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Possessed Barbarian necessitates discarding a card to activate certain abilities. In situations where players have scarce resources in hand, this cost can be detrimental, reducing the player’s flexibility and options on future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s casting cost requires both red and black mana, making it a less versatile option for decks that are not tailored to a Rakdos (black and red) mana base. Decks without an optimized mana setup may struggle to cast Possessed Barbarian on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is higher than some other cards at the same converted mana cost bracket, Possessed Barbarian may underperform when compared to other options. Players often look for maximum impact and efficiency from their four-mana plays, and in a competitive environment, the card might not measure up to its alternatives.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Possessed Barbarian can serve multiple roles within your deck. Not only does it function as a solid creature on your frontline, but its transform ability allows it to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, becoming a formidable threat that can disrupt your opponent’s game plan.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that manipulate or take advantage of flipping cards, as well as those that leverage players’ graveyard strategies. Its ability to transform provides synergy with cards that interact with transformed or flip cards, opening up a suite of strategic plays and interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard-based tactics or control decks are prevalent, Possessed Barbarian’s ability to offer aggressive strategies while simultaneously acting as graveyard disruption makes it a relevant and tactical addition to your deck, capable of countering popular strategies and maintaining its utility across various matchups.

How to beat

Possessed Barbarian offers a unique twist within the MTG card pool, where it not only acts as a creature but also as a potential game-changer with its activated abilities. Pitting your strategy against this card involves a two-fold approach: managing the creature itself and countering the impact of its abilities. The first step is simple creature removal – spells that can target and eliminate the Possessed Barbarian before its controller can reap the benefits of its transformative powers.

Apart from direct elimination, countering the triggered abilities can drastically reduce the Possessed Barbarian’s effectiveness. This is where cards that neutralize abilities or silence opponents during their turn become crucial in your arsenal. Furthermore, including creatures with higher defense statistics in your deck can deter attacks, essentially neutralizing the offensive advantage Possessed Barbarian seeks to offer. In essence, your success against it relies on preemptive control and strategic containment, turning what could be a significant threat into a manageable aspect of the game.

Ultimately, while Possessed Barbarian comes with the potential to wreak havoc on the battlefield, a thoughtfully constructed deck and careful play can neutralize its power, ensuring your strategy remains unhampered. It’s about anticipation and reaction, knowing when to strike and when to hold back, mastering the rhythm of the game against this formidable card.

Cards like Possessed Barbarian

Possessed Barbarian offers a unique twist to the creature cards in the annals of MTG. It bears likeness to cards like Reckless Wurm, a creature that also revels in transforming under specific conditions. Possessed Barbarian, however, comes with the added benefit of being able to directly damage a creature, giving it a slight edge in board control compared to the Wurm’s straightforward stats boost.

Likewise, Mad Prophet is another card that runs on the theme of controlled chaos often associated with barbarians. While Mad Prophet allows for card cycling with haste, Possessed Barbarian’s ability to trample provides a more offensive strategy. Additionally, if one compares it to Smoldering Werewolf, we see a shift in tactics. Smoldering Werewolf’s entry effect deals damage across the board, whereas the Barbarian’s focus is single-target, offering precision removal.

All in all, Possessed Barbarian stands out among transforming creatures for its ability to impact the board with its trample and targeted removal abilities. This role versatility ensures that it holds a firm place amidst similar MTG cards while offering strategic depth to gameplay.

Cards similar to Possessed Barbarian by color, type and mana cost

Orcus, Prince of Undeath - MTG Card versions

Blim, Comedic Genius - MTG Card versions

Rakdos, Lord of Riots - MTG Card versions

Wort, Boggart Auntie - MTG Card versions

Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Possessed Barbarian MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Possessed Barbarian and other MTG cards: