Orcish Paratroopers MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Orc Paratrooper
Released	2004-11-19
Set symbol
Set name	Unhinged
Set code	UNH
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	83
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Matt Thompson
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Orcish Paratroopers provide unexpected plays, ideal for surprise blocking or creative strategies.
They allow resource conservation, adding creatures to the battlefield while keeping mana free.
Their instant-speed synergy helps set up strategic advantages during critical game moments.

Text of card

When Orcish Paratroopers comes into play, flip it from a height of at least one foot. Sacrifice Orcish Paratroopers unless it lands face up after turning over completely.

IOU one parashoot —Urk, mogg fanatic

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orcish Paratroopers provides an amusing and unexpected form of card advantage. While its unique flip ability may add a dose of randomness, it can potentially turn the tides by allowing for a creative play or unexpected blocker that an opponent may struggle to deal with efficiently.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially entering the battlefield without consuming a turn’s main phase action, this card can represent a sort of temporal resource acceleration. It folds an element of surprise into your strategy, allowing you to drop a threat into play and still have resources available for other maneuvers.

Instant Speed: One of the key advantages of Orcish Paratroopers is its interaction with instant-speed spells or effects that manipulate the top of the library. Being able to set up the top of your library and then deploy the Paratroopers unexpectedly in the middle of combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn can generate significant tactical advantages.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orcish Paratroopers demands players to throw away an asset, as you must discard a card to even put this card into play. This act of discarding can backfire, especially if you’re in a tight spot and need every card in your hand to outmaneuver your opponent. Such a requirement can compromise your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Orcish Paratroopers to the battlefield isn’t always smooth sailing. The card requires red mana in its casting cost, which means it fits specifically into red or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility. Players running decks without red mana will find it challenging to include this card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at three mana, including two red, Orcish Paratroopers’ casting cost can be hefty for the effect it brings to the game. When considering the card’s overall impact, there are alternative options that could potentially provide a stronger presence on the board or lead to more dynamic strategic plays for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Orcish Paratroopers in Your Collection

Versatility: Orcish Paratroopers stands out for its adaptability, bringing an unexpected twist to the battlefield. Ideal for decks that relish surprises and can capitalize on the randomness that this card introduces.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can synergize exceptionally well with top-deck manipulation or cards that benefit from creatures entering play at unconventional times.

Meta-Relevance: In a dynamic MTG environment often dominated by predictable strategies, Orcish Paratroopers can serve as a wild card, disrupting established patterns and providing an edge over unprepared opponents.

How to beat

Orcish Paratroopers is one whimsical card in Magic: The Gathering that can catch you off guard with its unique mechanic. When it enters the battlefield, it challenges players with an odd dexterity component — you must toss it onto the table from at least a foot above! Failure to land the card face up results in the paratroopers taking damage. While this adds a fun, unpredictable aspect to gameplay, overcoming this airborne oddity is straightforward.

Keeping removal spells handy is effective. Cards like Fatal Push or Swords to Plowshares can eliminate these paratroopers before their parachutes can even deploy. Control decks with countermagic are especially adept here; a well-timed Counterspell ensures that these orcs won’t even hit the battlefield. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God clear out these and other creatures in one fell swoop, circumventing their chaotic entry.

Bearing in mind these tactics, you’ll find that contending with Orcish Paratroopers is less about enduring the randomness and more about strategically knowing when to deploy your defenses. Treating it as any other creature threat and maintaining a steady control of the board is key to mitigating the impact of these gravity-defying warriors.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orcish Paratroopers MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged, 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 Orcish Paratroopers and other MTG cards: