Garruk the Slayer MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Garruk |
| Released | 2014-07-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | M15 Prerelease Challenge |
| Set code | PPC1 |
| Loyalty | 20 |
| Number | 1 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brad Rigney |
Text of card
0: Put a 2/2 green Wolf creature token onto the battlefield.
+4: Target Wolf creature gets +1/+0 and gains deathtouch until end of turn.
-10: Destroy target creature. Put loyalty counters on Garruk the Slayer equal to that creature's toughness.
-25: Destroy all creatures Garruk the Slayer doesn't control.
Cards like Garruk the Slayer
Garruk the Slayer is a unique card within Magic: The Gathering, a part of the magical pantheon of planeswalker cards. It’s an oversized card originally designed for the ‘Face the Hydra’ challenge deck, allowing players to simulate battle against this mighty hunter. Other similar cards are primarily alternate versions of Garruk himself, such as Garruk, Apex Predator. While the Apex Predator can destroy other planeswalkers and produce beast tokens, Garruk the Slayer directly interacts with creatures players control, focusing on engaging combat with them.
Moreover, Garruk, Primal Hunter shares similarities, offering the ability to generate creature tokens and draw cards, two abilities also seen in Garruk the Slayer’s arsenal. Yet, the primal version doesn’t boast the same direct creature battling mechanics. In terms of gameplay, Garruk, Cursed Huntsman stands out with the emblem creation capability and self-sacrificial tokens for card advantage, offering a more passive strategy when compared to the direct confrontational style of Garruk the Slayer.
All in all, within the Garruk planeswalker lineup, Garruk the Slayer is distinctive for its interactive combat dynamics and the immersive experience it provides during Magic: The Gathering play sessions, differentiating itself with its physical size and unique engagement mode.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Garruk the Slayer is a powerhouse when it comes to drawing cards. With abilities that often involve creatures you control dealing combat damage or others that may lead to drawing cards, playing this card can enhance your options and keep your hand full.
Resource Acceleration: This card sets the stage for ramping up your resources. By providing a consistent way to bring creatures onto the battlefield, Garruk the Slayer can help you accelerate your mana base or other valuable assets, potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Garruk himself doesn’t operate at instant speed, many of the green instant spells that complement his abilities do. This synchronicity allows you to respond to threats swiftly and decisively, maintaining the surprise element that can prove strategic during crucial moments in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Garruk the Slayer demands a significant board presence and resources to capitalize on his abilities, which may necessitate discarding valuable cards and thus reduce your hand size, potentially leading to a disadvantageous position.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires a specific mana combination to cast, which can be restrictive and may not align smoothly with all deck archetypes, limiting its versatility and requiring a mana base that can consistently produce the needed colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steep mana investment to get Garruk onto the battlefield, players may find it challenging to play other spells in the same turn, as well as to protect him effectively from threats, necessitating a dedicated strategy and potentially slowing down the deck’s overall tempo.
Reasons to Include Garruk the Slayer in Your Collection
Versatility: Garruk the Slayer is a robust addition to various deck builds, offering a powerful planeswalker option. It can serve multiple roles, from generating creature tokens to destroying threats on the battlefield. This adaptability makes it a valuable card in any MTG collector’s arsenal, ready to adapt to differing playstyles and strategies.
Combo Potential: This card is known for its synergy with other cards that capitalize on loyalty counters or benefit from having a powerhouse on the field. It can be the keystone in combinations that aim for quick, overwhelming victories or those that whittle down opponents over time through strategic creature control.
Meta-Relevance: With meta constantly evolving, having a card like Garruk the Slayer can prove to be a game-changer in matches dominated by creature-heavy decks or when you need a decisive late-game asset. Its presence alone can shift the tide of battle, making it a card to watch within the shifting landscape of competitive play.
How to beat
Garruk the Slayer is a formidable presence in any MTG game, towering over the battlefield with abilities that can quickly overwhelm opponents. One of the most effective strategies to conquer Garruk the Slayer lies in thwarting his creature-spawning capability. By interrupting the flow of his token creatures, you remove the cannon fodder he relies on to build his loyalty. Board wipes and removal spells that can clear multiple creatures simultaneously will disrupt his game plan.
Another approach is to focus on direct damage spells to reduce Garruk’s loyalty. Instant-speed damage spells allow you to react swiftly during your opponent’s turn, potentially stopping the activation of his most devastating abilities. Additionally, leveraging evasive creatures that can bypass Garruk’s tokens and strike him directly will pressure your opponent to defend rather than advance their position.
Lastly, remember that Garruk’s ultimate ability is a game-ender. Prioritize maintaining pressure and disrupting your opponent’s momentum to ensure Garruk never reaches that critical point. Keeping a balanced approach to controlling the board and targeting Garruk directly should guide you to victory against this colossal planeswalker.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Garruk the Slayer MTG card by a specific set like M15 Prerelease Challenge, 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 Garruk the Slayer 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
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