Cavern Thoctar MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Released | 2008-10-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shards of Alara |
| Set code | ALA |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 125 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jean-Sébastien Rossbach |
Text of card
: Cavern Thoctar gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
Natives of Naya know better than to loiter near the mouth of a cave. Two glowing red eyes and the stench of foul breath are all the warning you're likely to get.
Cards like Cavern Thoctar
Exploring the vast plains of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, Cavern Thoctar holds a niche spot. When assessing its similarities with other creatures, we can’t help but think of cards like Serra Angel. Though Serra Angel boasts flying and vigilance, Cavern Thoctar compensates with sheer power bolstered by its hunger counter mechanic that can quickly outgrow its celestial counterpart.
Diving deeper, Leatherback Baloth also displays a close resemblance with its straightforward power stance, being a creature that provides an impressive 4/5 body for just three mana. However, Cavern Thoctar’s potential to scale its power sets it apart from the static nature of Leatherback Baloth. Then, the likes of Woolly Thoctar come into play, offering a color-rich 5/4 creature. While Woolly Thoctar presents immediate value, Cavern Thoctar thrives in the long game, scaling in threat level with each hunger counter acquired.
In reflecting on creature dynamics and their place within the MTG realm, it’s evident that Cavern Thoctar may not flash the fanciest abilities or the lowest mana cost. Nonetheless, it distinguishes itself through the potential for power growth, situating it as a formidable threat in matches that allow it to mature unimpeded.
Cards similar to Cavern Thoctar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Cavern Thoctar doesn’t directly offer additional card draws, its solid presence on the battlefield makes it a formidable card that often requires more than one card from the opponent to handle, indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Cavern Thoctar benefits from any sort of mana ramp present in your deck. Each time you’re able to cast it ahead of the curve, you’re effectively accelerating your resource utilization and putting your opponent under pressure.
Instant Speed: While Cavern Thoctar itself is cast at sorcery speed, its presence can influence how your opponent uses their instant-speed removal. Knowing that battling through this sizable creature requires a substantial commitment can change the tempo and decisions made at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect to consider with Cavern Thoctar is its reliance on having a specific card type in the graveyard to optimize its power. If you don’t meet this criterion, its effectiveness is significantly diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one red mana in addition to other costs can be restrictive for decks that are not geared towards a red mana base. This limitation may deter players from including it in more diverse or multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that rivals other creatures of similar size, Cavern Thoctar has to compete with alternatives that could offer additional abilities or synergies for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cavern Thoctar is a well-rounded addition to any collection due to its adaptable nature. Its solid stats for its casting cost make it a reliable creature across a variety of deck archetypes, especially those seeking a midrange powerhouse.
Combo Potential: As part of a red-green deck archetype, this creature can benefit from numerous synergies. Its 5/5 stat line for six mana becomes even more effective with various pump spells or as part of a trample-enabling strategy, allowing it to become a significant threat to your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards sturdy creatures capable of standing up to popular removal spells, Cavern Thoctar holds its ground. Its formidable presence can shape the battlefield and force opponents to reconsider their tactics, making it a strategic piece in creature-centric builds.
How to beat
Cavern Thoctar is a robust creature card found in the arsenal of many aggressive MTG decks. Its resilience in combat, thanks to its formidable 5/5 stats for a reasonable mana cost, makes it a considerable threat on the battlefield. Players might wonder about effective strategies to handle this daunting beast devoid of any fancy abilities but don’t fret; there are tactics to gain the upper hand once you face it across the table.
Removal spells are your primary tool against Cavern Thoctar. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can dispatch it regardless of its size. Counteracting Cavern Thoctar can also come from controlling the board state. By limiting the opponent’s resources through land destruction or denial strategies, one can prevent the Thoctar from ever stomping onto the field. In addition, employing chump blockers can deter Thoctar’s attacks, buying you precious time to draw into your game-winning plays or removal spells.
In essence, triumph over Cavern Thoctar arises from strategic removal, disruption of opponent’s resources, and clever board management. By keeping these tips in mind, you can navigate the threat of Cavern Thoctar and maintain control of the game, paving your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cavern Thoctar MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Cavern Thoctar 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cavern Thoctar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |