Crystalline Giant MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Artifact Creature — Giant |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose a kind of counter at random that Crystalline Giant doesn't have on it from among flying, first strike, deathtouch, hexproof, lifelink, menace, reach, trample, vigilance, and +1/+1. Put a counter of that kind on Crystalline Giant.
Cards like Crystalline Giant
Crystalline Giant is a thrilling anomaly in the world of MTG cards, displaying unique capabilities. Its characteristics ring reminiscent of multi-functional creatures like Managorger Hydra. Much like the Hydra, the Giant also accrues benefits as the game progresses. The Hydra, with its ability to grow in power each time a player casts a spell, does feel akin to the Giant’s capacity to amass counters during your turn.
Another similar card is Renata, Called to the Hunt. As a creature, she is known to augment power in other creatures coming into the battlefield much like the bonuses the Giant obtains every turn. However, Renata operates on a static effect basis, whereas the Giant’s bonuses are more dynamic and unpredictable.
While comparison can provide insight, the Crystalline Giant stands tall in its uniqueness. Its ability to spontaneously gain an array of powers fills every turn with a dash of surprise. Regardless of its comparable peers, it surely adds a dimension of flavor and dynamism to your MTG gameplay, ascertaining its value in your deck.
Cards similar to Crystalline Giant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Crystalline Giant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jeskai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | ||
Orzhov Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024 | ||
Mono-Blue Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-02-04 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Crystalline Giant provides significant card advantage by its unique ability to gain a random keyword ability at the beginning of each combat phase. This dynamic ability keeps opponents guessing and allows you to adapt to changing game conditions without losing any additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Crystalline Giant doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its value as a single card does indirectly accelerate resource management. Instead of depleting your hand to counter evolving threats, you can rely on the Giant’s diverse range of abilities to reduce resource strain, affording you more strategic flexibility.
Instant Speed: Even though Crystalline Giant isn’t an instant card, its ability triggers occur at the start of each combat on your turn, resembling instant speed interactions. These effects engage during the combat phase, often catching your opponent off guard, making them adjust their strategies instantly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Crystalline Giant lacks a discard requirement feature for times when you might need to lower your hand count. This could pose a challenge if resource management becomes crucial in the middle of a game.
Specific Mana Cost: Crystalline Giant requires a colorless mana for its activation, making the card less flexible for decks with more aggressive mono-colored or dual-colored mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Crystalline Giant’s three mana cost, though not exorbitant, is high compared to other Creatures of similar grades. This disparity could potentially slow down your tempo in the early stages of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Crystalline Giant can assimilate into a wide variety of decks due to its adaptive mechanics. Each time it enters combat, it gains a random ability from hexproof, flying, first strike, deathtouch, and more. This card’s flexibility enables it to have a significant presence in diverse battlefield scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card’s potential for unpredictability opens up a myriad of combo opportunities. You could pair it with cards that allow additional combat phases, amplifying the chance for Crystalline Giant to acquire more abilities and become a major threat to your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: The Crystalline Giant carries weight in the current meta-game, especially as a counter to control strategies. Its random ability acquisition can serve as a workaround against planned-out strategic plays by frustrating opponent’s attempts to predict your moves.
How to beat
When aiming to defeat a Crystalline Giant in a MTG game, understanding its multi-faceted abilities is crucial. Equipped with counter-adding capabilities, it can be a formidable opponent, displaying either a hexproof counter, a first strike counter, a lifelink counter, a menace counter, a reach counter, a trample counter, a vigilance counter, a +1/+1 counter, or a flying counter at the beginning of combat.
Crystalline Giant’s constant evolution can quickly turn the tide of a game, so responding rapidly is key. Using instant-speed removal spells or counterspells when the Giant does not have a hexproof counter becomes a useful strategy. When dealing with a Crystalline Giant, timing and precision are everything.
Disruption tools such as removal or destruction spells can effectively handle the Crystalline Giant. Cards like Murder or Terminate, which instantly destroy target creatures, are particularly valuable. Yet, the real challenge lies not in finding the proper tools but using them at the apt moment, revealing the depth and complexity this card brings to the table.
Navigating the dynamic abilities of the Crystalline Giant can be tough, but with timely reactions and wise use of resources, the impressive Giant can indeed be tamed.
BurnMana Recommendations
Diving deeper into the MTG realm, we see the Crystalline Giant as a beacon of versatility and unpredictability that can shake up any game. Acknowledging both its strengths and challenges is paramount for refining your strategy and deck composition. Whether it’s mastering the timing to exploit its evolving abilities or grasping the nuances to counter it effectively, knowledge is power. Embrace the Giant’s dynamic nature to outmaneuver opponents. Are you ready to harness the Giant’s potential and navigate the ever-evolving battlegrounds of MTG? Discover advanced tactics and optimize your deck to triumph with this enigmatic card by your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crystalline Giant MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Crystalline Giant 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 Crystalline Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80887 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | ||
2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80937 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kotakan | ||
3 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 234s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
4 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 234 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
5 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 361 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
6 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 387 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Kotakan | |
7 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 234p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
8 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 364 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crystalline Giant has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crystalline Giant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-04-17 | As long as Crystalline Giant doesn't have all ten of the listed counters on it, you'll put one on it at the beginning of combat on your turn. If it has all ten kinds, the ability will trigger but you won't put any counter on it. |
2020-04-17 | If Crystalline Giant has one of the listed keywords but not because of a counter of that kind, that kind of counter is still eligible to be chosen at random. |
2020-04-17 | You choose a kind of counter at random and put it on Crystalline Giant all while its ability is resolving. Players can't take actions between the time the choice is made and the time Crystalline Giant has the counter. |