Ogre Enforcer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Ogre
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	89
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pete Venters

Key Takeaways

Ogre Enforcer’s resilience translates to card advantage by withstanding common removal tactics.
It indirectly pressures opponents, potentially causing inefficient mana use and delayed plays.
Despite some downsides, its durability makes it a reliable defender in various deck strategies.

Text of card

Ogre Enforcer cannot be destroyed by lethal damage unless a single source deals enough damage to destroy it.

"Ate up all of his siblings in the first week. A good beginning for one destined to command." —Suka, ogre matron

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ogre Enforcer poses a significant challenge for opponents to remove due to its deterrent resilience, often forcing the opposing player to expend multiple cards in an attempt to deal with it. This natural ability to survive typical damage-based removals indirectly contributes to card advantage by outlasting simpler threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resource acceleration, Ogre Enforcer demands immediate attention from your opponent. This pressure can lead to inefficient mana use on their part, indirectly benefiting your resource management as they may need to delay their own development to answer the threat.

Instant Speed: Although Ogre Enforcer is a creature and not an instant, its solid stature allows players to pass the turn with confidence. You can effectively deploy other instant speed interactions during the opponent’s turn, knowing you have a robust defender awaiting the next combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Ogre Enforcer is its mandatory requirement for you to discard another card when activating certain abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is depleted, making it a less appealing choice during crucial moments where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The Ogre Enforcer comes with a cost that is very specific in its mana requirements. This could potentially make it a challenging fit for multi-colored decks or when your mana base is not optimized to produce the exact combination needed to summon this creature efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some of its contemporaries offering similar levels of power and toughness, Ogre Enforcer can be seen as a less economical option. There are other creatures and spells available that might give you a better value or impact on the game immediately, without tying up as many mana resources.

Reasons to Include Ogre Enforcer in Your Collection

Versatility: Ogre Enforcer might not be the most conventional pick, but it’s a robust addition to decks that exploit its damage resistance. As a 4/4 creature that’s difficult to take down with damage alone, it stands its ground in various deck archetypes looking for sturdy blockers or survivors of damage-based board wipes.

Combo Potential: This card has interesting interactions in decks that are tailored around damage mitigation or redirection. With the right setup, Ogre Enforcer can be an integral part of a combo, turning what should be a drawback into an advantage, such as with cards that prevent or replace damage.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where direct damage effects are prevalent, Ogre Enforcer shines by being a formidable obstacle. It can serve as a meta counter to popular red direct damage spells and any strategy relying heavily on multiple small instances of damage to clear the board.

How to beat

Ogre Enforcer stands as a challenge on the battlefield with its formidable ability to prevent all but lethal damage and an impressive 4/4 body. Disarming this stalwart creature often requires strategic plays and the right tools. Spot removal spells shine against it, especially those that don’t depend on inflicting damage. Examples include Path to Exile and Swords to Plowshares, which can exile the Ogre altogether, sidestepping its damage prevention ability.

Board control is another effective strategy where board wipes like Damnation or Wrath of God clear all creatures, including the indomitable Ogre Enforcer. Additionally, players can employ a more cunning tactic of reducing the Ogre’s toughness to zero. Enchantment-based effects such as Dead Weight or Inaction Injunction are perfect, as they alter stats directly rather than deal damage. Moreover, bypassing combat with cards that cause sacrificing effects like Diabolic Edict ensures that the Ogre’s ability is rendered moot.

In essence, the key to defeating Ogre Enforcer lies in circumventing its primary defense, by either forcibly removing it from play without delivering damage or by manipulating the battlefield to your advantage. Having a balanced deck equipped with diverse solutions will give you a fighting chance against this relentless adversary on the MTG arena.

Cards like Ogre Enforcer

Ogre Enforcer stands as a unique creature within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creatures, boasting a robust defense that’s not easily bypassed. Comparable to other durable creatures such as Indomitable Ancients, Ogre Enforcer shares the trait of having a high toughness, making it a formidable blocker. Whereas Indomitable Ancients provides a significant wall with its 10 toughness, it differs in that it lacks the special ability that prevents it from being destroyed by damage from a single source.

Moving to other creatures with similar protection, we have creatures like Stuffy Doll that can also survive typical combat damage and direct immediate damage to an opponent. Unlike Ogre Enforcer, Stuffy Doll has the ability to turn the tables and become a source of damage itself. Another peer in the realm of tough creatures is Phyrexian Obliterator, which not only survives most combat scenarios but also imposes a heavy toll on opponents who try to remove it with damage.

When evaluating Ogre Enforcer among its peers, its resilience in the face of overwhelming odds truly makes it a unique addition to decks that prioritize enduring creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its special damage prevention ability sets it apart from other high-toughness cards, allowing it to consistently defend against an onslaught of attacks.

Indomitable Ancients - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Obliterator - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ogre Enforcer MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Ogre Enforcer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ogre Enforcer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If its toughness falls to zero or less and it is undamaged, it will still be put into the graveyard.
2004-10-04	The check for nonlethal damage is done on a per-source basis. So each source’s damage is checked independently and it is not possible to team up sources (such as creatures) in order to kill it.