Charging Monstrosaur MTG Card


A 5/5 with haste and trample, Charging Monstrosaur offers aggressive tempo and immediate board impact in MTG. As a single creature that can contest multiple threats, it often leads to an advantageous card economy. While mana-costly and color-specific, its swift and powerful entrance can pivot the game’s flow.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Haste,Trample
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Trample, haste

"I knew I should have stayed with the boat. Always stay with the boat!"


Cards like Charging Monstrosaur

Charging Monstrosaur has quickly become a favorite among fans of aggressive dinosaur decks in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against other five-mana creatures like Charging Tuskodon which, although it lacks trample, can deal significant damage due to its ability to deal double damage to a player. However, the Monstrosaur’s immediate impact with haste and its trample ability frequently gives it an edge in damaging the opponent directly.

Conversely, Siegehorn Ceratops sits in a similar creature-type category but thrives in a completely different play style. It may start smaller, but in a deck with a +1/+1 counter theme, it has the potential to outgrow the Monstrosaur’s fixed power and toughness. While not as aggressively impactful upon entry, it offers prolonged value.

It’s evident that in the terrain of heavy-hitting dinos and five-mana creatures, Charging Monstrosaur offers a balance of immediate board presence and enduring threat, making it a formidable card for players wanting to apply quick pressure on their opponents in MTG.

Charging Tuskodon - MTG Card versions
Siegehorn Ceratops - MTG Card versions
Charging Tuskodon - MTG Card versions
Siegehorn Ceratops - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Charging Monstrosaur by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Charging Monstrosaur itself doesn’t directly provide card draw, its substantial presence on the battlefield applies pressure, potentially forcing your opponent to trade multiple cards to deal with it. This can inadvertently lead to a card advantage for you as your single creature contends with numerous threats or removals from your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Charging Monstrosaur doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration, but its immediate impact as a 5/5 creature with trample and haste means you’re getting a return on your mana investment without delay. It can quickly swing the game tempo in your favor, leading to an accelerated path to victory, especially when your resources are used efficiently elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although the Charging Monstrosaur is a creature card and not played at instant speed, its haste ability allows it to act immediately, akin to instant-speed effects. This surprise factor can catch an opponent off-guard and disrupt their strategy, similar to the benefits of an instant speed spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Charging Monstrosaur doesn’t specifically demand a discard as a cost, it’s essential to weigh it in a broader deck strategy context. In builds that require maximized hand presence, allocating resources to summon this dinosaur might pressure players into unwanted card sacrifices later on.

Specific Mana Cost: Charging Monstrosaur demands a dedicated amount of red mana in its casting cost. This requirement can be restrictive since it may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored or mana-intensive decks without proper mana fixing or ramping support.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five mana needed to bring Charging Monstrosaur onto the battlefield can be steep, particularly when you compare it to other creatures in the same mana range. While it offers an immediate impact with haste, other cards could provide equal or greater levels of utility and flexibility for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Charging Monstrosaur in Your Collection

Versatility: As a high-powered creature, Charging Monstrosaur slots into various red-based aggressive decks effortlessly. Its immediate board impact makes it a flexible addition that can change the tide of battle no matter the matchup.

Combo Potential: Given its trample ability, this dinosaur synergizes well with effects that increase its power or provide additional combat phases, enabling it to potentially take large chunks of the opponent’s life total in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state favoring quick, decisive plays, Charging Monstrosaur’s haste allows it to stand out in a sea of creatures. It can swiftly pressure control decks before they establish their defenses and trade effectively in creature-heavy metas.


How to beat

Charging Monstrosaur has made a thundering impact in MTG, especially within aggressive red decks. Its impressive stats, including five power, five toughness, and the combination of trample and haste, enable it to deal significant damage shortly after hitting the board. To effectively counter this threat, it’s crucial to prioritize removal spells that can dispatch creatures regardless of their size. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are prime examples of efficient ways to remove the Charging Monstrosaur before it can trample over your defenses. Additionally, keeping up counter magic such as Essence Scatter when your opponent reaches five mana could prevent the dinosaur from ever making an appearance on the battlefield.

Another strategic approach is to utilize deathtouch creatures, which can take down the Monstrosaur regardless of its robust stats. It’s also beneficial to control the pace of the game and establish a board presence that can absorb the impact of any hasty threats. In essence, while Charging Monstrosaur presents an imposing challenge, thoughtful preparation and strategic play can ensure its roar is far worse than its bite, keeping your life total safe from this prehistoric powerhouse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Charging Monstrosaur MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Mystery Booster, 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 Monstrosaur and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Charging Monstrosaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Zack Stella.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 1382015NormalBlackZack Stella
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8862015NormalBlackZack Stella
32020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-1382015NormalBlackZack Stella

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Charging Monstrosaur has restrictions

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