Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant MTG Card


Ghalta ensures card advantage, often leading to opponents using multiple resources to respond to its power. Its cost reduction ability accelerates board presence, potentially catalyzing a swift victory. The card impacts opponent strategies, requiring them to retain resources for potential instant-speed interactions.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary 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.

Gigantosaurus - MTG Card versions
Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions
Gigantosaurus - MTG Card versions
Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant by color, type and mana cost

Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions
Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions

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.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari Fight RiggingGolgari Fight Rigging StandardGolgari Fight RiggingStandard Challenge 32 2024-05-18 (1)
Simic RampSimic Ramp StandardSimic RampTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 13, 2024
ReanimatorReanimator LegacyReanimatorTOPdeck.Ru - 2024 Legacy Championship
NeobrandNeobrand ModernNeobrandModern League 2024-04-28
B/G ReanimatorB/G Reanimator LegacyReanimatorNot Quite Pro Tour Not Quite Seattle - Legacy $1K
BR ReanimatorBR Reanimator LegacyReanimator4^ tappa | 8^ INVILegacy MTG King's Cross
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange LegacyReanimator$1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 9:30 am
Rakdos ReanimatorRakdos Reanimator LegacyReanimator*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm
Geological Appraiser ComboGeological Appraiser Combo Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday 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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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.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3262015NormalBorderlessSidharth Chaturvedi
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 1852015NormalBlackLars Grant-West

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal