Giant Badger MTG Card
2003-07-28 - Number 253★
2003-07-28 - Number 253
2002-06-24 - Number 35960
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Badger |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Giant Badger blocks, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Disturb a sleeping badger and the snapping of your bones will awaken the countryside.
Cards like Giant Badger
Giant Badger brings a unique spin to Magic: The Gathering’s creature roster. In the realm of green creatures known for their connectivity to nature and formidable size, the Badger holds its own. When compared to other cards, such as Runeclaw Bear, both feature the same mana cost and decent stats for early game presence. However, Giant Badger stands out with its capacity to pump its strength during combat whenever blocks or becomes blocked.
Rumbling Baloth is another creature that sends shockwaves across the battlefield with its sheer presence. It boasts greater base power and toughness, cementing it as a solid choice for green mana ramp decks. Yet, it lacks Giant Badger’s interactive combat ability. On the creature curve, Rumbling Baloth appears as a later game threat while the Badger offers immediate board impact. Similarly, Nessian Courser grants stable stats but without the additional combat kick Giant Badger possesses, giving the Badger the edge in tactical engagements.
Assessing their place in the green creature lineup, Giant Badger provides a mix of early threat and strategic advantage during battles, making it a card worth considering in the right MTG deck construction, especially for those who value combat tricks and board control.
Cards similar to Giant Badger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Giant Badger offers a unique interaction with your lands, allowing you to essentially get more use out of a single land per turn. This adds subtle card advantage by maximizing the utility of the cards already in play.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, Giant Badger’s ability can lead to resource acceleration. By increasing the combat potential of your creature without having to overcommit to the board, it can accelerate the pressure you apply on the opponent.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Giant Badger’s special power at instant speed provides flexibility during combat. It gives you the upper hand by allowing you to decide how to utilize your land-based buffs during the heat of combat, catching opponents off guard and potentially turning the tide in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Giant Badger doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it is important to bear in mind that its usage in a game requires strategic hand management. Holding onto it until the right moment means you might have to discard other valuable cards to maintain a balanced hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Coming in with a mana cost that includes green, Giant Badger is specifically tailored for green or multicolor decks. This requirement can restrict its inclusion in a deck, as players who don’t run green may find it incompatible with their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including two green, it’s essential to evaluate the Badger’s battlefield impact. For a three-mana creature, players often expect a more immediate influence on the game state, which can make Giant Badger a less tempting choice when considering its overall cost-to-effect ratio.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Giant Badger brings a unique presence to green decks with its potential to both attack and defend effectively. Its synergy with lands not only makes it a reliable blocker but also a surprising threat.
Combo Potential: While not a traditional combo piece, Giant Badger works well in strategies involving land boosts or effects that benefit from land drops, adding an extra layer of utility and surprise to your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures often decide game outcomes, having a card like Giant Badger that can turn land into both defense and offense is invaluable, making it a solid choice against a variety of deck types.
How to beat
Giant Badger holds a curious spot in Magic: The Gathering’s collection of creatures. Known for its partnership with Banding, a keyword ability in the game, this card can present a unique challenge on the battlefield. When facing Giant Badger, its key strength is in its ability to engage in combat alongside others and potentially surprise opponents with an increase in power during blocks.
Overcoming Giant Badger requires strategy. Removal spells are the most straightforward way to handle this creature before it can leverage its Banding ability. Direct damage spells or those that cause creatures to be sacrificed sidestep the potential complexities of Banding in combat. Additionally, evasion tactics such as flying or unblockable creatures can bypass Giant Badger entirely, allowing you to press an advantage without engaging it directly on the ground.
The Giant Badger, while not the most formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, calls for a tailored approach. Keeping its unique interactions in mind and utilizing the right mix of removal or evasion abilities will ensure that this forest dweller doesn’t become a thorn in your side during the heat of battle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Giant Badger MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Eighth Edition, 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 Giant Badger 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
Printings
The Giant Badger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-07-28 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35960 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Liz Danforth | ||
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 253★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 253 | 2003 | Normal | White | Lars Grant-West |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Badger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |