Basalt Golem MTG Card

Card advantage and instant speed make Basalt Golem a strategic asset in manipulating game dynamics. Potential cons include a demanding mana cost that could restrict its use in diverse decks. Employing exile or sacrifice strategies can effectively counter the golem’s indestructibility.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	294
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott Kirschner

Text of card

Basalt Golem cannot be blocked by artifact creatures. Whenever Basalt Golem is blocked by any creature, bury that creature at end of combat and put a Stone token into play under the control of the creature's controller. Treat this token as a 0/2 artifact creature that counts as a Wall.

Cards like Basalt Golem

Basalt Golem stands as a unique creature within the vast array of Magic: The Gathering artifacts. Its sturdiness comes from its innate ability to resist being sent to the graveyard from the battlefield, similar in fashion to Darksteel Sentinel. However, the Sentinel boasts vigilance and is indestructible, attributes that Basalt Golem lacks, yet it compensates with the ability to make a creature block it each turn if able.

Conversely, Golem Artisan shares traits with Basalt Golem as they both belong to the Golem family, but this Artisan endows other artifact creatures with a boost in power or toughness at the price of mana. Basalt Golem does not offer enhancement to other creatures, focusing solely on its individual resilience and compulsory blocking. Additionally, the Precursor Golem offers a different approach, providing not just one but three creatures upon entering the battlefield. Yet, it doesn’t share the forced blocking mechanic of the Basalt Golem, presenting a diversified strategy for players.

To summarize, Basalt Golem may not shine as the brightest star in the array of artifact creatures available to MTG players, but it does have its advantages, particularly in decks that benefit from its specific combination of forced blocking and survivability against death effects.

Cards similar to Basalt Golem by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Basalt Golem’s ability to respectively convert excessive lands or other non-essential permanents into prowess paves the way for a strategic upper hand, giving you the means to manipulate the board to your advantage while maintaining card presence.

Resource Acceleration: With its innate ability to untap mana-generating lands or artifacts during each of your turns, it empowers you with the potential for resource acceleration, ensuring that you are poised for unleashing powerful spells or abilities sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating the Basalt Golem’s abilities at instant speed lets you adapt to the unfolding game, making it harder for your opponents to predict and counter your strategic moves, while optimizing your own tactics irrespective of the turn order.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Basalt Golem imposes a discard requirement upon activation, which could deplete your hand especially when you are aiming for a card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This golem comes with a specific mana cost that includes colorless mana, making it a less flexible option for decks that rely on a more varied mana base or those that might benefit from the inclusion of spells with easier mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be on the higher side for what it offers, the Basalt Golem may not be the optimal choice if you’re looking for cost-efficient creatures, considering the plethora of alternatives that may provide better utility or power for the same, or even less, investment of mana resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Basalt Golem is a flexible card that can fit into any deck that leverages artifact synergies or those looking to capitalize on untap mechanics.

Combo Potential: This golem has the innate ability to become an indestructible creature until end of turn, setting up potential combos with cards that benefit from non-destructible or artifact creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with removal spells, Basalt Golem’s indestructible capability ensures it remains a persistent threat on the board, offering consistency in strategies that require a steady board presence.

How to beat

The Basalt Golem is a unique artifact creature that can prove to be quite the roadblock in an MTG game, boasting the potential to become indestructible. Overcoming this card requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, consider using removal spells that don’t destroy but rather exile or convert, bypassing the indestructibility. Cards like Path to Exile or Terminus work well as they don’t destroy the golem but remove it from the battlefield entirely.

Another effective strategy is to utilize cards that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures, as sacrificing isn’t synonymous with destruction. Thus, cards like Diabolic Edict are particularly useful. Additionally, controlling the battlefield with enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can cripple a Basalt Golem’s effectivity in a duel without having to remove it. Finally, you can also take advantage of its activation cost. Keep the pressure on your opponent’s resources, limiting their ability to turn the Basalt Golem indestructible when it truly counts.

In essence, while the Basalt Golem may seem daunting with its resilience, a well-thought-out deck with the right control elements and strategic plays can neutralize its advantages effectively.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basalt Golem MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Basalt Golem and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basalt Golem has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2005-11-01	The token creature is put onto the battlefield at the end of combat only if the blocking creature is sacrificed during the resolution of the triggered ability.