Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 326
2023-11-17 - Number 185
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Elder Dinosaur |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 12 |
| Toughness | 12 |
Text of card
Trample When Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant enters the battlefield, put any number of creature cards from your hand onto the battlefield.
Cards like Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant
Ghalta, Primal Hunger stands out in the realm of powerful creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This dinosaur is akin to creatures like Gigantosaurus, sharing the trait of substantial power provided at a potentially low cost. Yet, Ghalta’s ability to have its casting cost reduced by the total power of creatures you control, potentially down to two green mana, sets it apart from the mono-mana-cost Gigantosaurus.
Another considerable beast in this space is Verdurous Gearhulk, which brings both power and versatility. Whereas Ghalta aims for brute strength, the Gearhulk offers a modular approach with its +1/+1 counters that can be distributed among other creatures. This could lead to a more diversified battle strategy. Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger also enters the comparison, commanding a destructive presence with its exile effect upon casting. Though Ghalta doesn’t have an immediate board impact like Ulamog, it often hits the battlefield sooner due to its cost-reduction mechanic.
Evaluating these titans against each other, Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant ensures a competitive edge in games, boasting not just raw power but an affordability that can outpace many similar monstrous cards within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Fight Rigging | Standard | Golgari Fight Rigging | Standard Challenge 32 2024-05-18 (1) |
 | Simic Ramp | Standard | Simic Ramp | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 13, 2024 |
 | Reanimator | Legacy | Reanimator | TOPdeck.Ru - 2024 Legacy Championship |
 | Neobrand | Modern | Neobrand | Modern League 2024-04-28 |
| B/G Reanimator | Legacy | Reanimator | Not Quite Pro Tour Not Quite Seattle - Legacy $1K |
| BR Reanimator | Legacy | Reanimator | 4^ tappa | 8^ INVILegacy MTG King's Cross |
| Dimir Midrange | Legacy | Reanimator | $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 9:30 am |
| Rakdos Reanimator | Legacy | Reanimator | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm |
 | Geological Appraiser Combo | Free form | d00mwake's Pure Modern 5 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Weekday Night Magic |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ghalta, Primal Hunger ensures card advantage by demanding an instant answer from opponents due to its sheer power. This often leads to two-for-one situations where the opponent must use more than one card to deal with Ghalta.
Resource Acceleration: This dinosaur’s cost reduction ability scales with the total power of creatures you control, effectively allowing for a quick and overwhelming board presence that can accelerate your winning condition substantially.
Instant Speed: While Ghalta itself does not operate at instant speed, its threatening presence forces opponents to play as if you have instant speed interactions. Opponents must keep resources at the ready, hindering their development and potentially giving you a significant tempo advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Ghalta, Primal Hunger’s cost can be reduced, it necessitates a substantial board presence, which can be equated to a “discard” of resources if your creatures are removed before casting.
Specific Mana Cost: Despite the cost reduction ability, Ghalta still requires at least two green mana, making it slightly restrictive in multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even with creatures on the board to help reduce the cost, the initial requirement of twelve mana can be a substantial investment. Other creatures or spells with less demanding mana requirements could potentially offer more immediate impact on the game.
Reasons to Include Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant in Your Collection
Versatility: Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant offers remarkable flexibility for green deck builders. Its cost reduction feature makes it playable in a variety of environments, letting it become a powerhouse in creature-heavy decks while also being a substantial threat on its own.
Combo Potential: Ghalta’s formidable presence pairs beautifully with numerous combo scenarios. It shines in decks that can quickly multiply its power or utilize its high power for various synergistic plays, such as with cards that allow you to draw based on a creature’s power or that enable you to deal damage equivalent to a creature’s strength.
Meta-Relevance: Given its immense size and relatively low cast cost in the right deck, Ghalta maintains relevance in metas where high-power creatures dictate the pace of play. In a format where the board can be quickly developed with creatures, Ghalta can emerge as a game-ending force that demands an immediate answer from opponents.
How to beat
Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant, is a formidable presence in MTG, known for its potentially low casting cost relative to its enormous power. The key to overcoming this giant dinosaur lies in preventing its reduced cost mechanic from being utilized. Players can achieve this by keeping the battlefield clear of creatures or those with significant power, as Ghalta’s cost is lower based on the total power of creatures you control.
Utilizing removal spells to consistently manage the opponent’s board is an effective strategy. Removal options can include cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, which can disrupt the opponent’s synergy before they can summon Ghalta at a reduced rate. Moreover, counter spells also form a robust line of defense against Ghalta, as they can stop the dinosaur in its tracks when an opponent attempts to cast it.
Lastly, keeping a healthy level of life points and having creatures or enchantments with the ability to block trample damage can provide a buffer against Ghalta’s heavy swings. Strategies involving lifelink, chump blockers, and damage prevention will grant a player additional time to set up a final counterattack or a winning move.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 326 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |