War Mammoth MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 16 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elephant
Abilities Trample
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Acts as a mid-game powerhouse, deterring attacks with its 3/3 trample presence.
  2. Demands specific mana, challenging its inclusion in non-mono-green or tight mana decks.
  3. Its trample ability meshes well in aggressive strategies, combatting small blockers.

Text of card

Trample

I didn't think Mammoths could ever hold a candle to a well-trained battle horse. Then one day I turned my back on a drunken soldier. His blow never landed; Mi'cha flung the brute over ten meters.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While War Mammoth may not directly let you draw cards, its sheer presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking, potentially giving you an indirect advantage as the game progresses. Its robust body of 3/3 can outclass many early-game creatures, helping you maintain board control.

Resource Acceleration: Although War Mammoth itself doesn’t accelerate resources, its four mana cost makes it a solid mid-game play. It fits well in decks with ramp mechanics, coming into play more quickly and helping to apply pressure earlier in the match.

Instant Speed: War Mammoth doesn’t have instant speed, but it embodies the role of a straightforward and reliable creature card that enhances your battlefield upon casting. Its primary strength lies in its simplicity and the ability to exert force in the mid to late game stages.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The War Mammoth doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, but its presence in your deck could necessitate discards due to its specific and somewhat inflexible mana cost. Such a requirement can deplete valuable resources from your hand that might be needed for essential plays later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: War Mammoth demands a particular combination of mana, requiring both green mana and additional generic mana to be played. This can be challenging in decks that are not mono-green or that have a tight mana base, limiting its overall flexibility in various strategies and formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a creature with trample, War Mammoth competes with other creatures and spells at this mana range. In contemporary Magic, players often expect more impactful effects or greater stats for such an investment, potentially relegating War Mammoth to a lower tier of play due to the abundance of superior options available.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: War Mammoth serves as a solid creature in green-based ramp or stompy decks due to its 3/3 stats, granting a substantial presence on the battlefield early in the game.

Combo Potential: This card works well in tandem with effects that capitalize on its trample ability, such as those that increase creature power or provide combat trick opportunities to overpower blockers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that leans towards aggressive strategies with smaller creatures, War Mammoth’s trample ensures it can still deal damage through chump blockers, making it a worthwhile addition against decks that flood the board.


How to Beat War Mammoth in MTG

The War Mammoth stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering with its notable 3/3 stats and trample ability. Players often leverage this card for early to mid-game pressure because of its ability to inflict damage through defenders. However, the key to outmaneuvering a War Mammoth lies in managing the battlefield effectively.

To counteract this green creature, consider using cards with higher toughness to absorb the trample damage or employ spells that can neutralize it before it gets a chance to charge. Removal spells like Murder or Doom Blade can dispatch War Mammoth swiftly, ensuring it doesn’t become a threat. Alternatively, cards that can exile creatures, like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, deal with it permanently, providing not just an immediate solution but also a long-term advantage.

Facing the War Mammoth can be intimidating, but with smart deployment of removals or blockers, you can keep your opponent’s mammoth at bay. Remember, control of the board is crucial. By anticipating and mitigating the impact of trample-enabled creatures, you enhance your chances of winning the game significantly.


Cards like War Mammoth

War Mammoth stands out in the selection of green creatures within Magic: The Gathering due to its sheer size. As a nod to its name, this creature boasts a considerable bulk along with trample, a trait that allows excess damage to be dealt to the controlling player if the creature is blocked. In comparison, Craw Wurm offers similar stats, though it lacks the trample ability, making War Mammoth a more threatening presence on the battlefield.

Stampeding Wildebeests offers an intriguing parallel, bringing both trample and a recurring advantage through its ability to return a green card to the owner’s hand during the upkeep. While this creature has a lesser body compared to War Mammoth, the added utility can be a significant asset in the right deck. Another comparable option is Blastoderm, which also carries trample but comes with the fading mechanic, presenting a limited window of potency but potentially rapid impact.

Ultimately, War Mammoth’s straightforward and aggressive approach provides MTG players with a reliable option for green creature slots when building a deck that aims to apply pressure through substantial trampling forces.

Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stampeding Wildebeests - MTG Card versions
Blastoderm - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Stampeding Wildebeests - Visions (VIS)
Blastoderm - Nemesis (NEM)

Cards similar to War Mammoth by color, type and mana cost

Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - Tenth Edition (10E)
Marsh Viper - The Dark (DRK)
Scarwood Bandits - The Dark (DRK)
Carnivorous Plant - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Erhnam Djinn - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Aurochs - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Lhurgoyf - World Championship Decks 1997 (WC97)
Jackalope Herd - Exodus (EXO)
Rootwater Alligator - Exodus (EXO)
Golden Bear - Portal Second Age (P02)
Argothian Swine - Urza's Saga (USG)
Elvish Piper - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Erithizon - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Saber Ants - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Skyshroud Cutter - Nemesis (NEM)
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fungusaur - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Viridian Lorebearers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Monkey Monkey Monkey - Unhinged (UNH)
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase War Mammoth MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 War Mammoth and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The War Mammoth Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2271993normalblackJeff A. Menges
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2281993normalblackJeff A. Menges
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2281993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2281993normalblackJeff A. Menges
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2281993normalblackJeff A. Menges
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2281993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2281993normalblackJeff A. Menges
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2281993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2861993normalblackJeff A. Menges
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2861993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 441993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 451993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3401997normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
142011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1721997normalblackJeff A. Menges
152022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5201997normalblackJeff A. Menges
162022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2232015normalblackJeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where War Mammoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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