Trench Behemoth MTG Card


Trench Behemoth - Commander Legends
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Kraken
Abilities Landfall
Released2020-11-20
Set symbol
Set nameCommander Legends
Set codeCMR
Power 7
Toughness 7
Number366
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

  1. Advantageous card cycling through land returns ensures a full hand and continuous resource flow.
  2. Behemoth acts as resource acceleration for big plays via extra land drops and expanded mana.
  3. Instant speed plays with the Behemoth offer surprise tactics and dodge removal efforts effectively.

Text of card

Return a land you control to its owner's hand: Untap Trench Behemoth. It gains hexproof until end of turn. Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, target creature an opponent controls attacks during its controller's next combat phase if able.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Trench Behemoth brings a significant edge to the battlefield by potentially returning a land to your hand each time you play another land. This could translate into an advantageous loop of land drops, fuelling your hand and keeping the resources flowing to outmaneuver your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This colossal creature can act as a form of resource acceleration. If you have the means to play extra lands on your turns, Trench Behemoth can grant you additional land plays. That sets you up for larger, more impactful turns later in the game as you can exponentially grow your available mana.

Instant Speed: While Trench Behemoth itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it’s vital to acknowledge its synergy with cards that do. If you can manipulate land plays at instant speed, the Behemoth can unexpectedly bounce to your hand, dodging removal and setting the stage for a least-expected, game-changing replay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Trench Behemoth necessitates returning an Island to your hand to trigger its landfall ability. This can be a setback, especially when you’re trying to maintain a strong board presence and lack excess lands in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a considerable amount of blue mana, demanding at least two blue sources. This specific mana requirement often makes it a tough fit outside of mono-blue or two-color decks that heavily favor blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing seven mana to cast, Trench Behemoth can be quite a setback for your tempo, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Its late-game appearance could be less impactful if the board state is already against your favor, undermining its overall utility in fast-paced matches.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Trench Behemoth makes a splash in a diverse array of blue-focused decks thanks to its ability to interact with the land you control. Whether bouncing lands to your hand to dodge removal or utilizing its landfall trigger to gain control of the board, Trench Behemoth adapts to various playstyles and game situations.

Combo Potential: This leviathan synergizes with decks that manipulate lands. Pairing with cards that put lands onto the battlefield rapidly or those that benefit from returning lands to your hand, Trench Behemoth can become an unstoppable force that often seals the game in sea-themed or ramp strategies.

Meta-Relevance: With its knack for handling flying creatures and a sturdy 7/7 body, Trench Behemoth holds its own in current metagames dominated by evasive threats. Additionally, its ability to retract lands to your hand offers some resilience against land destruction strategies that periodically surface in competitive scenes.


How to Beat Trench Behemoth

Dealing with Trench Behemoth demands a solid strategy due to its ability to become an immense sea monster on the battlefield. To tackle this leviathan, control decks often rely on counter spells to prevent it from hitting the table. Cards like Counterspell or Essence Scatter are key, as they can negate the casting of Trench Behemoth altogether. In a scenario where the Behemoth has already made its way onto the field, removal spells that bypass its protection abilities are crucial. Universal removal like Path to Exile or Terminate that don’t target or destroy become invaluable in this context.

Another efficient method is manipulating the opponent’s land base since Trench Behemoth thrives in a setting with numerous Islands. Land destruction or land type alteration spells can substantially weaken the Behemoth’s impact. For instance, cards such as Blood Moon transform all non-basic lands into Mountains, effectively nullifying the synergy the Behemoth has with Islands. Ultimately, understanding and disrupting the ecosystem in which Trench Behemoth operates is the cornerstone of prevailing over this mighty creature.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves more than just collecting cards; it’s about deep strategic insight and maximizing your deck’s potential. The Trench Behemoth, as explored, offers a unique blend of advantage and might, particularly in blue-inclined strategies and ramp decks. If you’re looking to upgrade your collection with a versatile creature that can control the board and synergize with land-based strategies, consider this leviathan’s capabilities. Ultimately, integrating Trench Behemoth into your deck could turn the tides of battle in your favor. Dive deeper with us to discover how this majestic sea monster can be a game-changer in your MTG journey.


Cards like Trench Behemoth

Trench Behemoth reveals its might in the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s sea-themed arsenal. It’s a leviathan to reckoned with due to its size and utility. Its closest relatives in terms of gameplay impact are cards like Stormtide Leviathan and Inkwell Leviathan. Both are titanic in size and come with game-altering abilities. Stormtide Leviathan, for instance, has the unique capability to lock down land creatures by making all lands islands, while Inkwell Leviathan brings the gift of shroud, making it difficult to target.

However, what sets Trench Behemoth apart is its ability to return a land you control to your hand in order to not only untap it but also to grow its power. Pair this with its knack for bouncing creatures to an opponent’s hand when you cast a kicked spell, and you have a form of control and field advantage that’s unique. A similar card in terms of the land-bouncing synergy is Roil Elemental. While it’s not a massive elemental, it possesses the power to snatch control of opponents’ creatures with its landfall ability.

Evaluating these sea giants side by side, Trench Behemoth holds a special place for players who appreciate a blend of brute strength and tactical board control in their Magic: The Gathering matches.

Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Roil Elemental - MTG Card versions
Stormtide Leviathan - Magic 2011 (M11)
Inkwell Leviathan - Conflux (CON)
Roil Elemental - Zendikar (ZEN)

Cards similar to Trench Behemoth by color, type and mana cost

Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
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Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
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Marjhan - MTG Card versions
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Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions
Alhammarret, High Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Island Fish Jasconius - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Blizzard Elemental - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Amugaba - Odyssey (ODY)
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Tromokratis - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Hullbreaker Horror - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)
Mistform Skyreaver - Onslaught (ONS)
Slipstream Eel - The List (PLST)
Weaver of Lies - Legions (LGN)
Quicksilver Behemoth - Darksteel (DST)
Vizzerdrix - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Rimefeather Owl - Coldsnap (CSP)
Cyclone Summoner - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Marjhan - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Goliath Sphinx - Worldwake (WWK)
Scrapdiver Serpent - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Chancellor of the Spires - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Kraken of the Straits - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Phyrexian Ingester - Commander Masters (CMM)
Alhammarret, High Arbiter - Magic Origins (ORI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Trench Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends, 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 Trench Behemoth and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Trench Behemoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-11-10 If the target creature can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, the player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
2020-11-10 If the target creature does attack, its controller still chooses which player or planeswalker it attacks, as normal. It can attack opponents who don't control untapped Trench Behemoths waiting to crush it, if any are available.
2020-11-10 You can activate Trench Behemoth's first ability even if it's already untapped and/or already has hexproof.

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