Ogre Taskmaster

Creature — Ogre

Ogre Taskmaster can't block.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Archenemy	Legal
Block Constructed	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Pauper Duel Commander	Legal
Pauper EDH	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (1)

legendofa on Why Has WotC Changed How …

4 years ago

My guess is "let new players have fun doing stuff." With Dragon's Claw , a new player might not immediately realize that the black spell they're casting is worth more than the 1 life their opponent gets. What they see is, "If I cast this Volcanic Hammer , my opponent will have more life and be harder to beat." So they don't cast the Volcanic Hammer , and get beaten down by that Ogre Taskmaster . Sooner or later, they'll notice that 1 life isn't a big deal at all, if they stay with the game. But who knows how many would-be players felt stuck, with a choice between helping their opponent and doing nothing, so they lost interest and never picked up another deck.

This logic seems obviously wrong to enfranchised players, but anybody who has a full understanding of tactical costs and benefits in this game the first time they shuffle and draw will probably hit the top of the world rankings within a month.

Staff of the Flame Magus is more obviously build-around: use Mountain s and red spells. It doesn't direct affect your opponent's ability or desire to act, at any level. The new player can Lightning Strike every Thundering Giant that looks their way and feel rewarded. And let's face it, these aren't really top 8 all-star cards. They're going to be used in Limited and by people without a lot of cards. Let the new players feel rewarded without jumping through hoops.