Earthshaker Giant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Giant Druid |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2019-11-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Game Night 2019 |
| Set code | GN2 |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 5 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Milivoj Ćeran |
Text of card
Trample When Earthshaker Giant enters the battlefield, other creatures you control get +3/+3 and gain trample until end of turn.
"Come, my wild children. Let's give the interlopers a woodland welcome."
Cards like Earthshaker Giant
Earthshaker Giant stands as a formidable presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, sharing the stage with other notable giants like Beanstalk Giant. What makes Earthshaker Giant particularly interesting is its Overrun ability, granting all creatures you control +3/+3 and trample until end of turn upon entering the battlefield. This can often turn the tide of a game with its immediate impact.
Looking at the broader landscape of MTG cards with similar effects, we find Thunderfoot Baloth, which provides a similar buff to your creatures with +2/+2 and trample as long as you control a commander. While this condition isn’t always easy to meet, in a commander game, it’s a consistent boon. Conversely, Decimator of the Provinces also shares the echos of Earthshaker Giant’s abilities, amplifying creatures’ stats and providing trample, but it comes with an emerge cost and doesn’t provide the same degree of stat increase.
When weighing these options, Earthshaker Giant’s ability to instantly beef up your side of the field without relying on specific game conditions makes it a strong choice for players looking to make a significant impact upon casting a single spell. The Giant’s role in MTG as a game-changer is thus clearly defined by its capacities for immediate field dominance.
Cards similar to Earthshaker Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Earthshaker Giant explicitly instructs players to draw a card upon entering the battlefield, a benefit that could decisively tip the scales in your favor by bolstering your options each turn. As an additional benefit, its ability to grant all your creatures trample until end of turn can often lead to a devastating attack, potentially overwhelming your adversary and drawing the game to a swift conclusion.
Resource Acceleration: When you deploy the Earthshaker Giant, not only does it present a formidable physical presence, but it also transforms all your lands into 2/2 Elemental creatures with haste until end of turn. This unexpected ramp can significantly expand your resources, allowing you to utilize these lands for more than just mana, directly translating into increased combat potential.
Instant Speed: Though the Earthshaker Giant operates at sorcery speed, its massive impact on the board is felt immediately. The instant transformation of the battlefield when it enters play is a form of acceleration that can catch opponents off guard, capitalizing on the seam between setting up defenses and executing a lethal attack. While not an instant, the immediate board effect acts with such surprising swiftness it can simulate the unexpected turnaround often associated with instant speed plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Earthshaker Giant demands a notable up-front sacrifice in gameplay as it requires additional cards in your hand for maximum effectiveness. This can be a substantial drawback during later stages of the game when resources are scarce and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans heavily towards one color, Earthshaker Giant can challenge deck flexibility. Its green-focused cost may not seamlessly integrate with multi-colored or colorless strategies, potentially limiting the card’s utility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a lofty mana cost, Earthshaker Giant enters the battlefield at a point where players might look for game-changing impacts. Other creatures or spells with a similar cost could provide immediate board presence or effects that could sway the game more decisively in your favor.
Reasons to Include Earthshaker Giant in Your Collection
Versatility: Earthshaker Giant provides dual utility as both a robust creature and a mass land animator. This card can adapt to myriad deck styles, serving as a formidable standalone threat or enhancing land-centric strategies.
Combo Potential: When Earthshaker Giant enters the battlefield, its ability to turn lands into creatures opens opportunities for intriguing combos. It syncs exceptionally well with effects that benefit from creature etbs or any strategy aimed at landfall triggers.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to alter the board state dramatically, Earthshaker Giant contends well against various meta configurations. In metas where board presence and unexpected swings are pivotal, including Earthshaker Giant can offer the upper hand.
How to beat
When encountering the Earthshaker Giant in MTG, players must prepare for a sizeable challenge. This towering creature not only has trample but also grants other creatures you control trample and +3/+3 when it enters the battlefield. To effectively combat this giant, one strategic approach is to maintain removal spells in your hand, ready to be deployed just as your opponent plays the giant. Cards like Path to Exile, for instance, can uninterruptedly exile the giant before its ability triggers.
Another effective method is to use countermagic. Counterspells can intercept and neutralize the Earthshaker Giant before it even has a chance to influence the board. For a proactive defense, board sweepers like Wrath of God can clear the board, including any giants, provided you time them after it’s cast but before it attacks.
Lastly, in decks where control mechanisms are scarce, emphasizing a quick and aggressive strategy can allow you to pressure your opponent and reduce their life total before they have the opportunity to cast such a high-cost creature. Playing with this foresight and speed can often disrupt an opponent’s plans, making the Earthshaker Giant a less impactful threat when it does enter the playing field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Earthshaker Giant MTG card by a specific set like Game Night 2019, 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 Earthshaker 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Earthshaker Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |