Qal Sisma Behemoth MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 149 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Evan Shipard |
Key Takeaways
- The behemoth’s 5/5 size for four mana offers a threatening board presence in various MTG decks.
- Mandatory discard to attack and color-specific mana can challenge deck-building and strategic play.
- Despite restrictions, its meta-relevance and combo potential make it a powerful addition.
Text of card
Qal Sisma Behemoth can't attack or block unless you pay .
"It hunts grand game for Atarka, and when the time comes, it will become a mighty feast." —Surrak, the Hunt Caller
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Qal Sisma Behemoth doesn’t inherently provide card advantage, yet it supports strategies where size matters. Its formidable presence can deter opponents from attacking, indirectly preserving your resources on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, this massive creature can swiftly turn the tide of battle in your favor. Deploying a 5/5 body as early as turn three can be a significant boost, putting you ahead of your opponent’s curve.
Instant Speed: Even though Qal Sisma Behemoth acts at sorcery speed, it pairs well with instant-speed removal or combat tricks. In decks designed around it, the Behemoth can capitalize on the breathing room provided by instant-speed interactions, becoming a formidable attacker or blocker once it’s safe to engage without it having to attack each turn if able.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside for players considering the inclusion of Qal Sisma Behemoth in their deck is that it mandates the discard of another card if you want to grant it attacking ability on a turn. This can deplete valuable hand resources, especially in decks that don’t have extensive card draw capabilities.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Qal Sisma Behemoth is also specific, requiring both green and generic mana. Players running multicolored decks may find this restriction hard to accommodate during the early game, where color fixing could be less consistent.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, the cost to get Qal Sisma Behemoth on the field is not negligible. Requiring a total of four mana for a 5/5 creature, it could be debatable whether it provides enough value when cards with similar or even lower mana costs can offer additional abilities or less restrictive conditions for attacking.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Qal Sisma Behemoth offers a significant threat in a variety of deck types, acting as a formidable presence on the battlefield that can swing games in your favor. Its resilience makes it a considerable addition across multiple strategies, but particularly in decks that can exploit its drawback by not having to cast spells during your turn.
Combo Potential: With a high power to mana cost ratio, the behemoth is an optimal candidate for various synergies and combos, especially in decks that can manipulate counters or take advantage of creatures with high power. It’s also great for setting up devastating flanking maneuvers that can obliterate the opponent’s defenses.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta packed with heavy removal, the Qal Sisma Behemoth thrives by demanding an answer without committing additional resources during your turn. This can lead to favorable trades and pressure on your opponent’s removal spells, making it a strategic choice against decks that are ill-equipped to handle such a heavy hitter early in the game.
How to beat
Understanding your adversary is crucial in Magic: The Gathering and the Qal Sisma Behemoth is an intimidating card to face down. This massive creature is a force on the battlefield thanks to its size and strength. However, every giant has a weakness and in the case of the Qal Sisma Behemoth, it’s its inability to attack or block unless you’ve cast another creature spell this turn.
To turn the tides against the Behemoth, consider using removal spells before your opponent can fulfill the Behemoth’s attack condition. Strategic timing is key; remove creatures from the board to keep the Behemoth passive. Additionally, use cards that control or modify the timing of your opponent’s plays, like counterspells or instant-speed removal, to maintain the upper hand.
Ensnaring the giant before it tramples through your defenses is the strategy to embody. If you anticipate the Behemoth’s playstyle and counteract effectively, you can mitigate its impact and continue to rule the magic arena.
Cards like Qal Sisma Behemoth
Qal Sisma Behemoth enters the field as a considerable force among green creature spells. It stands out with its robust 5/5 stats for a relatively modest mana cost, making it a powerful contender among early to mid-game creatures. In comparison, creatures like Leatherback Baloth share the mana cost and sturdy stats, yet Qal Sisma Behemoth demands a strategic angle—you can’t attack unless you’ve cast another creature spell that turn. Leatherback Baloth doesn’t carry such a restriction, providing consistent pressure without conditional requirements.
Another beast of similar stature is Terra Stomper, which also boasts high power and toughness with the added benefit of being uncounterable and having trample, enabling it to power through defensive lines without the same constraints as the Behemoth. However, Terra Stomper comes with a higher mana cost, which may delay its impact on the board compared to the swifter Behemoth.
Ultimately, Qal Sisma Behemoth offers MTG players a substantial creature that can shift the tide of battle in their favor, provided they sequence their plays effectively to meet its attacking criteria. Its value in a green deck can’t be underestimated—its presence can dominate a game if leveraged alongside a well-curated creature strategy.
Cards similar to Qal Sisma Behemoth by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Qal Sisma Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Qal Sisma Behemoth and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Qal Sisma Behemoth has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Qal Sisma Behemoth card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If an effect says that Qal Sisma Behemoth must attack or block if able, you can choose not to pay the associated cost and ignore that requirement. Players are never forced to pay a cost to attack or block. |
