Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Tracking print frequency of a B/R ogre across MTG expansions
In the vast, paged multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, some cards become evergreen staples, while others celebrate a single moment in a block’s lifetime. Brawl-Bash Ogre is a prime mini-case study in how a two-color, midrange threat behaves across expansions, and what that tells us about Wizards’ printing decisions for core sets and thematic blocks. This hulking Ogre from Core Set 2019 isn’t just a bump in the red-black color pie; it’s a peek into the cadence of MTG’s reprint philosophy, the appetite for niche mechanics, and the ways designers balance risk and reward in a format that loves to sac and swing. 🧙♂️🔥💎⚔️🎨
Released on July 13, 2018, Brawl-Bash Ogre lands in the Core Set 2019 as an uncommon specimen that doubles as a solid graded threat in Brawl and other Limited windows. Its mana cost of {2}{B}{R}—a four-mana, two-color commitment—places it squarely in the late-game swing category, while its stats (3/3) and keyworded ability push a player to think about tempo and sacrifice as resources. The card’s text — Menace and the attack-triggered sacrifice option that grants +2/+2 until end of turn — gives both aggression and a touch of Aristocrats-style play. 🧛♂️🧟♂️
Card snapshot in a glance
- Name: Brawl-Bash Ogre
- Set: Core Set 2019 (M19)
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Mana Cost: 2BBR
- Type: Creature — Ogre Warrior
- Power/Toughness: 3/3
- Keywords: Menace
- Oracle text: Menace. Whenever this creature attacks, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, this creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
- Colors/Identity: Black and Red
- Artist: Even Amundsen
- Foil/Nonfoil: Both available
- Legalities: Modern, Pioneer, Commander, Legacy, etc. — a staple for multicolor aggro in the right shells
Print history and frequency
When we map the print frequency for a card like Brawl-Bash Ogre, we’re really mapping the broader strategy of MTG across sets. This particular print in M19 appears as a standalone release in its slot; the data indicates it has not been reprinted in other expansions under this exact name and exact card identity. That means casual and competitive players who enjoy two-color aggro strategies must rely on this single print for the M19 frame; foils exist, but there isn’t a subsequent reprint that would flood the format with copies in later sets. For collectors, that often translates into a quiet, niche value spike around the time of a given print window, followed by a plateau—especially given its uncommon rarity and the modern appetite for midrange finishers in B/R shells. 🧳🧩
Gameplay implications in a two-color window
What makes this Ogre interesting isn't just its body; it’s the way it invites a sacrifice subtheme to arise on a battlefield that already favors pressure. Menace forces blockers to commit more bodies or risk a bigger hit, and the optional sacrifice on attack opens windows for explosive turns. If you chain in token producers or other sacrifice outlets, you can swing in with a 5/5-ish threat (or bigger) that your opponent must answer in a compressed window. In formats like Brawl, where every few cards can swing a game, Brawl-Bash Ogre rewards planning and sequencing almost as much as it rewards raw power. And for players who like to lean into value lines, the card’s design harmonizes with other black-red finishes—think sacrifice triggers, drain effects, and the classic “blow up your own board to blow up theirs” vibe. 🧙♂️🔥⚔️
Design space: why this card stands out (and why it’s not everywhere)
From a design perspective, Brawl-Bash Ogre neatly embodies two core MTG ideas: high-impact combat and flexible payoff. The creature’s power is accessible, but the true effect—boosting itself after sacrificing another creature—creates a dynamic pivot: you trade a body to push a surprise swing. It’s the sort of mechanic that shines in sets designed around excitement and risk. Yet, that same mechanic can discourage broad printing in later sets where power curves, mana costs, and color balance shift to avoid overwhelming limited formats with sudden, game-ending turns. The result: a card that’s memorable in M19, with a print slot that did not proliferate through the subsequent expansions tied to later core reprints. The net effect is a distinctive, one-off vibe for this ogre, a flavor-rich piece that’s loved by players who enjoy the “sacrifice for tempo” playstyle. 🎨🗡️
Collector value, market pulse, and why rarity matters
As an uncommon from a core set, the card sits in a sweet spot for collectors who chase unique metas and nostalgic design. Its price point in non-foil form is relatively modest—data points show around a few cents USD in recent pricing, with foil variants dipping into rarefied territory depending on condition and demand. Its market presence is further shaped by the broader appeal of M19 and the enduring popularity of red-black midrange archetypes in Commander and Modern. Even with a low default price, the card’s flavor and utility keep it in circulation for players who enjoy menace and late-game swing synergy. 💎⚔️
As we scan the broader MTG landscape, the specific print frequency of this card becomes a microcosm of how Wizards calibrates reprints: not every notable card earns a second life in future sets, but many retain cultural resonance through moments of clever design and memorable art. The Brawl-Bash Ogre, with its bold color identity and sacrifice-driven tempo, remains a fan-favorite for players who love the tension between offense and sacrifice, and for collectors who relish a well-crafted, single-print wonder from M19. 🧙♂️🎲
If you’re building decks that embrace calculated risk and want a piece that reads like a bold line from a fantasy novel, you’ll appreciate the OGRE’s place in MTG history. And if you’re considering a new way to shield your everyday carry gear while you dive into the multiverse, a stylish accessory never hurts—particularly one that echoes the fast-paced energy of red and black magic. For the curious minds and the collectors alike, this is a card that sparks conversations about the why and when of reprints—and that’s part of the fun of Magic’s ever-turning wheel. 🔥💎