Orc Sureshot MTG Card


Orc Sureshot provides sustained board control, enabling targeted damage against opponents’ creatures during your turn. It synergizes well with decks that frequently cast creatures, thus maximizing its damaging ability without extra costs. The card’s requirement for creatures entering the battlefield makes it a tactical choice in specific MTG deck builds.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Orc Archer
Power 4
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn.

"Words have yet to halt an arrow."


Cards like Orc Sureshot

Orc Sureshot extends its reach deep into Magic: The Gathering’s pool of creature buffs and removal tactics. Not unlike the esteemed Flametongue Kavu, which is revered for its entrance-triggered removal ability. Orc Sureshot differs, however, in that it doesn’t offer an immediate removal upon hitting the battlefield but requires a creature to enter the fray under your command to trigger its ability, granting targeted removal potential every turn.

Likewise, Archetype of Finality presents a similar pattern of board influence, by bestowing creatures you control with deathtouch, effectively turning them into potential slayers for any attackers or blockers. Orc Sureshot edges out with its direct damage approach, allowing you to weaken or potentially remove a creature without going into combat.

Comparatively, the dynamics change slightly with the likes of Bogardan Firefiend, where the removal happens upon the creature’s death. Orc Sureshot stays on the offensive, presenting a continuous threat to opposing creatures as long as you play other creatures and manage the board proactively.

Orc Sureshot carves a niche within MTG creature-based strategies, maintaining its uniqueness through an ability that offers continuous removal opportunities, highlighting its value in decks seeking to control the board while developing their presence.

Flametongue Kavu - MTG Card versions
Archetype of Finality - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Firefiend - MTG Card versions
Flametongue Kavu - MTG Card versions
Archetype of Finality - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Firefiend - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Orc Sureshot by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orc Sureshot enhances your board presence by providing a recurring way to deal with opponent’s creatures. Each time you play another creature, you can strategically weaken or eliminate an enemy creature, subtly tipping the scales in your favor without spending extra cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Orc Sureshot itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it effectively saves the resources you might have used on removal spells. This allows you to allocate your mana more efficiently, potentially playing more threats or keeping up defenses.

Instant Speed: Orc Sureshot’s ability triggers during the main phase, but its impact is similar to instant speed interaction. By playing creatures on your turn, you can immediately react to your opponent’s board, bypassing the need to wait for the perfect removal spell and keeping up the pressure consistently.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orc Sureshot requires a precise setup to be effective, mandating an environment where sacrificing or discarding creatures is beneficial and consistently achievable, otherwise, its potential may be underutilized.

Specific Mana Cost: This card is locked behind a specific mana combination, demanding both black and a generic mana, which can potentially restrict deck-building options, especially in formats where mana flexibility is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Orc Sureshot’s ability to weaken or eliminate opposing creatures is advantageous, its cost of four mana including one black can be seen as steep compared to other removal options, making it a less-than-ideal choice when optimizing for efficiency and tempo.


Reasons to Include Orc Sureshot in Your Collection

Versatility: The Orc Sureshot serves as a dynamic inclusion in decks that focus on creature control. Its ability to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn when another creature enters the battlefield under your control provides a consistent method of weakening your opponent’s creatures, making it flexible enough to adapt to various deck themes.

Combo Potential: Orc Sureshot works exceptionally well in synergy with decks that generate a multitude of creature tokens, enabling it to effectively pick off smaller enemy creatures turn by turn. Combining it with cards that create creature tokens can create a loop of control that becomes hard for opponents to counter.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, this card can be a game-changer. Its presence on the board can deter opponents from deploying weaker creatures and can shift the tide by clearing the path for your attacks or by maintaining the upper hand on the battlefield.


How to beat

The Orc Sureshot presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to deal one damage to target creature whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control can quickly alter the state of play, especially in decks that focus on token generation or creature-heavy strategies. When facing an Orc Sureshot, proper timing is crucial. Effective strategies involve removing it before it can be utilized to its fullest potential. This might mean holding removal spells for immediate use once your opponent casts this card.

Moreover, you may want to avoid playing creatures that can easily be picked off by the Sureshot’s ability, thereby denying your opponent the chance to whittle down your forces. Counterspells can also be effective, as they prevent the Sureshot from entering the battlefield in the first place. Instant speed removals like Shock or Fatal Push are excellent for dealing with the Sureshot directly, allowing you to manage the board and maintain your presence without losing valuable assets. Preventative measures, swift removals, and strategic play are pivotal in overcoming the sharpshooting capabilities of the Orc Sureshot.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orc Sureshot MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and The List, 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 Orc Sureshot and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Orc Sureshot Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 782015NormalBlackKev Walker
22020-09-26The ListPLST FRF-782015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orc Sureshot has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-24 If Orc Sureshot enters the battlefield under your control at the same time as another creature, its ability will trigger for that creature.