Bastion Mastodon MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 197
2020-11-12 - Number 223
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Elephant |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
: Bastion Mastodon gains vigilance until end of turn.
The Consulate's automaton bank contains only the most impressive specimens.
Cards like Bastion Mastodon
Bastion Mastodon is an intriguing creature card that finds itself among the multitude of artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares certain similarities with other cards like Guardians of Meletis. Both are artifact creatures with a high toughness that can serve as effective blockers. What sets Bastion Mastodon apart is its ability to gain vigilance until end of turn for a single white mana, making it a versatile option for defense and offense.
Additionally, Spire Golem is another artifact creature often compared to Bastion Mastodon. While Spire Golem may cost less to cast in decks with numerous Islands, Bastion Mastodon’s strength lies in its simple mana requirement that fits seamlessly into any deck without color constraints. Unlike Spire Golem, it does not rely on a specific land type for a reduced cost, allowing it greater flexibility across multiple deck styles.
Moreover, when assessing creature cards for durability and tactical advantage, Bastion Mastodon’s ability to activate vigilance distinguishes it in the realm of artifact creatures. Thus, it is a solid choice in decks that aim for resilience and tactical versatility.
Cards similar to Bastion Mastodon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bastion Mastodon provides a sturdy blocker that can be a considerable obstacle for your opponents, effectively deterring attacks and preserving your life total. This can lead to an indirect card advantage by outlasting your opponent’s resources and maintaining a presence on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While the Bastion Mastodon itself may not directly accelerate your resources, its Vigilance ability allows it to be a defender while still being ready to attack. This dual utility can help free up your mana and other resources for more pressing plays, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration as you don’t need to commit more creatures to the board for defense.
Instant Speed: Although Bastion Mastodon isn’t an instant-speed spell, its ability to gain Vigilance or increase its toughness with its in-game effect can be activated at any time you could cast an instant. This flexibility allows for tactical surprises and advantageous blocks, making the best use of your mana at critical moments during a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Not applicable to Bastion Mastodon as it does not have an inherent discard mechanic tied to its use. However, the necessity to maintain a full hand to defend against its vulnerability to removal spells can strain a player’s resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Bastion Mastodon’s mana cost includes generic mana, but it requires a specific white mana to cast, which may not easily slot into multicolored decks without a reliable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bastion Mastodon comes with a notable conversion cost of five mana. In an environment where efficient creatures and removal spells prevail, its cost may exceed its board impact, making it a lesser choice compared to more influential creatures at similar or lower mana values.
Reasons to Include Bastion Mastodon in Your Collection
Versatility: Bastion Mastodon’s adaptability is a key factor in its appeal. This artifact creature finds its way into a wide array of deck builds thanks to its ability to bolster your defenses with its vigilance ability.
Combo Potential: The Mastodon synergizes well with artifact-focused strategies, opening the door for various combo plays. For decks that thrive on artifact manipulation, its presence on the battlefield can be a real game-changer.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the MTG landscape, Bastion Mastodon holds its own by offering a sturdy blocker that can be crucial in combat-heavy metas. This often overlooked card has potential to be an unexpected asset in the right environment.
How to beat Bastion Mastodon
Bastion Mastodon presents a sturdy challenge on the battlefield. As a tough artifact creature known for its vigilance and an ability to gain additional toughness, overcoming this mechanical behemoth requires strategic planning. The Mastodon’s formidable defense makes it a reliable blocker, but certain strategies can tip the scale in your favor.
Combat tricks such as instant-speed removals, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can easily exile or destroy the Mastodon before it becomes a recurring nuisance. Also, using evasion tactics, such as flying or unblockable creatures, allows you to bypass it altogether. If you’re playing a control-oriented game, countermagic or bounce spells like Disperse can also prove invaluable, effectively wasting your opponent’s turn and mana investment. Additionally, -1/-1 counters can whittle down the Mastodon’s toughness, diminishing its battlefield presence.
Ultimately, to successfully navigate against Bastion Mastodon, adapt your strategy to include direct removal, evasion, or manipulation spells. This approach minimizes the impact of its defensive capabilities, thereby maintaining the pace and control of the game on your terms. Considering these tactics, you’ll find that Bastion Mastodon, although resilient, can be effectively sidelined with the right plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bastion Mastodon MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Bastion Mastodon and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Bastion Mastodon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 197 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bastion Mastodon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bastion Mastodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | Once Bastion Mastodon is tapped and attacking, gaining vigilance won't cause it to become untapped. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.