Ulamog's Crusher MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Eldrazi
Abilities Annihilator
Power 8
Toughness 8

Key Takeaways

  1. Ulamog’s Crusher offers significant board control and a potential one-card advantage against opponents.
  2. The card’s steep mana cost competes with other late-game options and may restrict deck flexibility.
  3. Inclusion in a collection can enhance certain deck types, leveraging its raw power and synergies.

Text of card

Annihilator 2 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices two permanents.) Ulamog's Crusher attacks each turn if able.

"Whatever the Eldrazi's purpose is, it has nothing to do with something so insignificant as us." —Nirthu, lone missionary


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ulamog’s Crusher ensures that a player can command significant board presence. Owning a creature with such a high power and toughness ratio can often create a one-card advantage as it requires multiple cards from the opponent to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself does not provide direct resource acceleration, its mere presence accelerates the end of the game by applying pressure. This forces the opponent to deal with it quickly, utilizing their resources inefficiently, thus indirectly benefiting the player with Ulamog’s Crusher.

Instant Speed: Although Ulamog’s Crusher doesn’t operate at instant speed, its Annihilator 2 ability, which triggers upon attacking, demands immediate answers. In many cases, opponents must act as quickly as they would against an instant, allocating instant-speed resources to prevent devastating losses each combat phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Ulamog’s Crusher doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, assembling the optimal mana to cast it often leads to sacrificing potential plays or discarding cards to expedite its arrival on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Ulamog’s Crusher demands a specific investment of eight colorless mana, which can be rigorous to amass, especially in a multi-colored deck relying on various mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With such a steep mana requirement, Ulamog’s Crusher competes with other late-game heavy hitters. This might make it less attractive, considering more cost-efficient creatures or game-ending spells that could be played sooner.


Reasons to Include Ulamog’s Crusher in Your Collection

Versatility: Ulamog’s Crusher can be a game-changer in various deck builds, particularly in those that require formidable creatures. Its massive power and toughness make it an intimidating presence on the battlefield that can fit seamlessly into ramp or Eldrazi-themed decks.

Combo Potential: This behemoth not only brings raw power but also synergizes with cards that manipulate the ‘attack each combat if able’ mechanic or benefit from annihilator triggers. It can be a linchpin in decks built to exploit these powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving competitive scene, Ulamog’s Crusher may rise as a valuable asset against control decks. Its annihilator ability ensures that even if an opponent has stabilized the board, they’ll be forced to sacrifice precious permanents, making it a relevant threat in many matchups.


How to beat

Ulamog’s Crusher brings a unique challenge to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable monster is known for its might and mandatory attack each turn. To successfully overpower this creature, players need to focus on control strategies. Removal spells such as Path to Exile, or board wipes like Damnation, can clear the field of this overwhelming threat. Additionally, using enchantments like Pacifism to prevent it from attacking or employing counterspells to stop it from hitting the table in the first place, can be key to maintaining the upper hand in a game.

Tapping into the power of sacrifice effects is another route for handling Ulamog’s Crusher. Cards like Diabolic Edict force your opponent to choose and sacrifice a creature, often leaving them with no better option than their most powerful monsters. For more direct control, creatures with the ability to block and destroy it, such as the deathtouch-equipped Wasteland Viper, can be a clever inclusion in your deck.

Navigating around the annihilator ability is also crucial, and having a steady stream of token creatures can provide the necessary fodder to satisfy the Crusher’s destructive appetite without compromising your game plan. Mastering these strategies can turn the tide against Ulamog’s Crusher, transforming a potential loss into a well-earned victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the intricate pros and cons of Ulamog’s Crusher dissected, MTG enthusiasts can truly appreciate the might of this card. Its ability to potentially hasten the game’s end and demand multiple resources to be countered, positions it as a high-risk, high-reward juggernaut within deck lineups. The card’s potential in different deck builds, especially those looking to exploit the annihilator ability, cannot be overstated. For players looking to refine their combat strategies or shake up the meta with an unexpected trump card, integrating this behemoth might just be a game-defining move. Intrigued by Ulamog’s Crusher’s power and versatility or seeking ways to fortify your deck against it? Dive deeper with us for strategies, synergies, and more insights to optimize your gameplay.


Cards like Ulamog's Crusher

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Ulamog’s Crusher stands tall as a formidable annihilator creature. With its massive 8/8 power and toughness, it shares the battlefield with other behemoths like Desolation Twin and Eldrazi Devastator. What sets Ulamog’s Crusher apart is its ability to force players into combat each turn if able, a trait reminiscent of path-razer of Ulamog, yet without the option to block additional creatures.

When pitted against Breaker of Armies, another colossus in the game, both cards possess the power to dictate combat phases. However, Breaker of Armies lures all blockers to itself, providing a different strategic advantage over Ulamog’s Crusher’s incessant attack requirement. Moreover, Artisan of Kozilek steps into play not just as a powerhouse but also lets you retrieve a creature card from your graveyard, offering more than just battlefield presence.

These comparisons highlight Ulamog’s Crusher as a uniquely aggressive card, ensnaring players in relentless offense while competitors like Desolation Twin and Artisan of Kozilek unfold additional layers of strategic depth. Although each has its place in MTG, Ulamog’s Crusher certain demands attention on the board like few others do.

Desolation Twin - MTG Card versions
Eldrazi Devastator - MTG Card versions
Breaker of Armies - MTG Card versions
Artisan of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Desolation Twin - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
Eldrazi Devastator - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Breaker of Armies - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Artisan of Kozilek - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ulamog's Crusher MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Ulamog's Crusher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ulamog's Crusher Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-04-23Rise of the EldraziROE 132003normalblackTodd Lockwood
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 72015normalblackTodd Lockwood
32015-08-28Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. EldraziDDP 442015normalblackTodd Lockwood
42018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 82015normalblackLucas Graciano
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 62015normalblackTodd Lockwood

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ulamog's Crusher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2010-06-15 Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won’t be able to block.
2010-06-15 If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn’t blocked, it simply won’t deal combat damage to anything.
2018-12-07 If Ulamog’s Crusher can’t attack for any reason (such as becoming tapped or having just entered the battlefield), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either.

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