Plated Crusher MTG Card

Plated Crusher - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)

Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
2015-10-02 - Number 183

Battlebond (BBD)
2018-06-08 - Number 207

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Hexproof,Trample
Power	7
Toughness	6

Key Takeaways

Plated Crusher’s 7/6 stats provide significant board impact, allowing for advantageous creature trades.
Hexproof makes it a formidable target for buffs, sidestepping most targeted removal spells.
Though mana-heavy, its presence forces opponents to strategically deplete their removal resources.

Text of card

Trample, hexproof

"It might fight the Eldrazi, but don't mistake it for a companion, Gideon. It's not interested in your concept of strength through unity." —Najiya, leader of the Tajuru

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Plated Crusher’s formidable 7/6 stats make it a powerful force on the battlefield, able to sway the board state in your favor. Moreover, its ability to potentially trade with multiple opponents’ creatures before being taken down provides an intrinsic card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Plated Crusher doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its mere presence can often force opponents to exhaust their removal resources merely to manage it, indirectly granting you an edge in resource allocation over the course of the game.

Instant Speed: While the Crusher itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to pressure opponents into spending resources at inopportune times can create openings for other instant-speed plays. This strategic depth adds layers of interaction in any MTG match where timing is everything.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Plated Crusher boasts substantial stats, it doesn’t come without a potential deck-building compromise; strategizing around its discard stipulation might corner you into opting for support cards when you’d rather expand your creature base or hold onto key cards in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The precise mana demands of this behemoth with its green mana-heavy cost not only makes it a tricky fit in multi-color decks but can also stumble your early game if your mana sources aren’t perfectly aligned to summon it on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a meta where efficiency can make or break a game, Plated Crusher’s formidable seven mana investment could set you back, especially when facing decks that achieve their win conditions with leaner, quicker plays.

Reasons to Include Plated Crusher in Your Collection

Versatility: Plated Crusher is a card that boasts flexibility in deck-building thanks to its sheer power and in-built abilities. Its ability to trample over blockers ensures that it can fit into aggressive strategies as well as more control-oriented green decks that need a durable finisher.

Combo Potential: The hexproof ability of Plated Crusher makes it an ideal target for auras and equipment. By safely attaching powerful buffs without the risk of being targeted by opponent’s spells, it creates opportunities for devastating combinations that can quickly close out games.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on targeted removal, Plated Crusher shines thanks to hexproof. It dodges common removal spells, making it a persistent threat that requires specific answers, thus shaping your opponent’s game plan and creating a noticeable impact on the board.

How to beat

Overcoming a Plated Crusher can be a real test of strategy for many MTG players. This hulking behemoth not just boasts a formidable 7/6 body but also trample, making it a threat that can hardly be ignored on the battlefield. Its innate hexproof ability further complicates the matter, shielding it from the usual targeted removal spells that are often relied upon to dispose of powerful creatures.

When up against this green leviathan, it’s clever to rely on board wipes that don’t target or to use sacrifice effects, as these circumvent its hexproof protection. Spells like Wrath of God or Damnation sweep all creatures off the board, regardless of any protective abilities they may possess. Another effective strategy is to force your opponent to sacrifice their precious Plated Crusher. Cards like Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict can achieve this, effortlessly sidestepping the Crusher’s defenses. A clever combination of control and pressure can keep the Crusher at bay and ensure it doesn’t dominate the battlefield.

In essence, while Plated Crusher may seem invincible at first glance with its hefty stats and protective hexproof, it’s not without its vulnerabilities. Knowing the correct tools and timing to navigate around its strengths is key to claiming victory over such a formidable foe in the game of MTG.

Cards like Plated Crusher

The Plated Crusher is a formidable beast in Magic: The Gathering, standing out with its hefty body and built-in protections. When it comes to comparing it with other creatures, the Terra Stomper immediately springs to mind. Like the Plated Crusher, it boasts a considerable power and toughness ratio and also can’t be countered, providing a worthy alternative for green decks seeking resilient threats.

Additionally, comparisons can be drawn to the Vorapede, another powerful insect with a strong presence on the battlefield. The Vorapede offers vigilance and undying, ensuring its longevity and potential for repeated combat scenarios. Though it doesn’t share the hexproof ability of the Plated Crusher, it holds its ground with these persisting abilities.

Digging deeper into the green creature pool, Ghoultree deserves mention. Although it lacks the built-in defenses of the Plated Crusher, its cost can be significantly reduced, making it an aggressive play, especially in graveyard-centric decks. Its vast power makes it a force to be reckoned with, though it remains more vulnerable to targeting spells.

MTG players looking to establish a dominating board presence will find that each of these creatures offers its unique advantages, but Plated Crusher’s blend of power, protection, and evasion allows it to crush opponents in its own distinctive style.

Cards similar to Plated Crusher by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions

Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions

Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions

Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions

Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plated Crusher MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Battlebond, 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 Plated Crusher and other MTG cards: