Dwarven Grunt MTG Card


Dwarven Grunt ensures ongoing board presence, aiding in maintaining card advantage throughout the game. Low casting cost hastens board development and complements decks with instant-speed interactions. Demands precise mana and may compete with other creatures for deck inclusion based on cost-effectiveness.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dwarf
Abilities Mountainwalk
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Mountainwalk

Hard as stone and twice as stubborn. —Dwarven compliment


Cards like Dwarven Grunt

Dwarven Grunt presents a staple archetype in MTG’s long lineage: the low-cost aggressive creature. Similar to other one-drop red creatures like Goblin Guide and Monastery Swiftspear, Dwarven Grunt delivers early game pressure. Yet, where Goblin Guide grants immediate advantage with its two power and haste, the Grunt requires a mountain-heavy deck to make the most out of its echo cost. Monastery Swiftspear harnesses prowess for extra damage, while our Grunt relies on traditional combat.

Comparing it to another Dwarf, Dwarven Trader, both share the echo ability, but the Trader offers an additional utility with the potential to cycle through the deck. We also see a difference in creature types, as Monastery Swiftspear leads with the versatile human monk type, offering broader synergy in spell-heavy red decks. Dwarven Grunt’s concrete identity in dwarf decks could be seen as more focused but also more restrictive.

Through this exploration, Dwarven Grunt holds a place for MTG players who appreciate a classic, straightforward assault strategy, especially within a mono-red deck. Though it may not boast the complexities or explosive plays of some peers, its reliability is a nod to MTG’s foundational gameplay dynamics.

Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Trader - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Trader - MTG Card versions

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Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Dwarven Grunt may appear straightforward, but in the right deck, it contributes to card advantage by being a repeatable source of board presence. This means every turn you have the potential to keep a creature on the battlefield without the need to invest additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Dwarven Grunt doesn’t directly produce additional resources, its low casting cost means you can deploy it early in the game. This allows you to be more efficient with your mana and accelerates your board development, keeping pressure on your opponent while saving your higher-cost, higher-impact cards for later.

Instant Speed: While the Dwarven Grunt itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well in a deck geared towards instant-speed interaction. With the Grunt on the battlefield, you can commit your mana to instant-speed spells during your opponent’s turn, knowing you already have a solid presence on the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dwarven Grunt is unique in its demands, often necessitating that a player discards another card to fully utilize its potential. This can result in a setback when your hand is already stretched thin, curbing the momentum in crucial game moments.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Dwarven Grunt requires a very specific mana investment. This locks the card into decks that can reliably produce red mana, reducing its versatility across various deck types and strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost to benefit ratio, Dwarven Grunt’s mana expense feels steep. For the same or lower cost, players might access other creatures with similar or better abilities, leaving Dwarven Grunt at a competitive disadvantage in optimized play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dwarven Grunt is a commendable one-drop creature that can easily find a home in red-based aggro decks. Its low casting cost and respectable power for a one-mana creature allow for an efficient early game presence on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card has synergies with mechanics that reward players for controlling multiple Dwarves, such as “Depala, Pilot Exemplar,” or spells that get bonuses from sacrificing creatures, providing a great fit in tribal or sacrifice decks.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-heavy strategies dominate, Dwarven Grunt can serve as an essential piece in exerting pressure from the get-go, making it a relevant card in aggressive red decks that aim to overwhelm opponents quickly.


How to Beat Dwarven Grunt

Dwarven Grunt offers an interesting dynamic in the realm of red aggro creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This dwarf’s power grows as more dwarves enter the battlefield, making it a potential threat that can scale in power over time. To overcome this growing menace, early removal is key. Cards like Fatal Push or Shock allow you to swiftly deal with the Grunt before it can benefit from its kinship ability.

Additionally, strategies focused on board control can effectively neutralize the threat posed by Dwarven Grunt. Sweeper spells that clear multiple creatures at once, such as Doomskar or Blasphemous Act, can provide a clean solution no matter how many dwarves have assembled. Be mindful of the timing when your opponent is likely to deploy their dwarven squad and prepare your board wipes accordingly.

Lastly, don’t discount the value of preventing your opponent from amassing a dwarf army in the first place. Counterspells, hand disruption, and exile effects can intercept or remove key dwarf cards that would otherwise empower Dwarven Grunt. Keeping the board clear of these small but synergistic units is an excellent way to ensure this grunt never becomes a general.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dwarven Grunt carries potential in red aggro decks, where early battlefield presence is paramount. Its low cost and synergetic qualities in tribal strategies mean there’s a niche where this card can shine. Recognize the depth in your collection and consider the Grunt’s role within it. Even amidst its limitations, with thoughtful deck construction, this card might just provide the edge you’re looking for. Thinking of adding Dwarven Grunt to your roster or curious about optimizing its use in your current deck? Dive deeper with us and discover ways to make this card, and your deck, truly formidable. Join the fray and sharpen your MTG skills now.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dwarven Grunt MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and The List, 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 Dwarven Grunt and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dwarven Grunt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2001-10-01. Illustrated by Mike Ploog.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 1851997NormalBlackMike Ploog
22020-09-26The ListPLST ODY-1851997NormalBlackMike Ploog

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dwarven Grunt has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal