Giant Caterpillar MTG Card
1997-02-03 - Number 108
1999-10-04 - Number 249
2022-12-02 - Number 666
2020-09-26 - Number VIS-108
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
o G, Sacrifice Giant Caterpillar: Put a Butterfly token into play at end of turn. Treat this token as a 1/1 green creature with flying.
"'I've seen hornworms big as a man's fist,' the traveler said, and nodded soberly when our jaws went slack at his ignorance." —Afari, *Tales*
Cards like Giant Caterpillar
Giant Caterpillar offers a unique gameplay experience to MTG players who enjoy versatile creature cards. Standing alongside other transformable creatures, such as Hornet Nest, Giant Caterpillar requires a certain condition to unleash its full potential. Hornet Nest, when damaged, spawns flying deathtouch tokens, while Giant Caterpillar morphs into a butterfly token with flying when sacrificed—a strategic move for gaining aerial advantage.
Comparing it to another transformational card like Roc Hatchling, which also evolves but through accumulated damage rather than sacrifice, showcases different strategic paths within the creature metamorphosis theme. Moreover, Giant Caterpillar shares a similar mechanic to Break Open, where the transformation aspect is prompted by external conditions—albeit Break Open targets face-down creatures, adding an element of surprise to the field.
To sum up, Giant Caterpillar stands in a league of its own among MTG’s creature cards that transform or evolve, attracting players who appreciate tactical flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing game states. Its capability to shift into a flying creature provides a distinct tactical edge, comparable yet distinct from its peers in the transforming creature space.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Once the Giant Caterpillar morphs into a Butterfly, you’re granted a fresh creature without losing a card, effectively navigating around the one-for-one removal often seen in games and giving you a slight edge in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: While the Giant Caterpillar itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its transformation capability seamlessly integrates into decks that benefit from creature-based strategies, indirectly supporting various synergies and setting the stage for more powerful plays in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: The flexibility to convert the Giant Caterpillar at instant speed means you can adapt to the evolving board state on your opponent’s turn. This can catch an adversary off-guard, transforming the Caterpillar into a flying blocker or setting up an unexpected evasion tactic when attacking becomes favorable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Giant Caterpillar demands that you sacrifice it to get the butterfly token, essentially discarding it from the field. This trade-off can be detrimental in game states where maintaining a board presence is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: A need for one green mana makes Giant Caterpillar restrictive for multicolored decks or those that struggle with mana fixing, potentially hampering its inclusion in diverse deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including one green, for a creature that ultimately transforms into a butterfly with flying, Giant Caterpillar might seem underwhelming when compared with other creature cards at a similar cost that provide immediate value or have more impactful abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Giant Caterpillar offers flexibility in deck building, serving as both an early blocker and a late-game threat. Its ability to morph into a Butterfly token with flying gives players an adaptable solution to evolving board states.
Combo Potential: With the Giant Caterpillar’s sacrifice ability, it pairs well with strategies that capitalize on creature death, such as those involving graveyard synergy or triggering effects from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flyers can dominate, having a creature that can transform and swing in the air can be a game changer. Furthermore, its synergies with sacrifice mechanics make it a clever inclusion against opponents using removal-heavy strategies, ensuring you retain presence on the board.
How to beat
Giant Caterpillar is a unique creature card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, recognized mostly for its quirky ability to morph into a butterfly creature upon activation. When facing the Giant Caterpillar, you’ll want to anticipate this transformation and be prepared with removal strategies. One effective strategy is to use instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt the caterpillar’s metamorphosis before it takes flight. This preempts the creature’s ability to transition and subsequently forces the opponent to lose their investment.
Countering the activation of the Giant Caterpillar’s ability is another approach. Cards that negate activated abilities or counter creature abilities can be played in response to the Caterpillar’s attempted transformation. Maintain mana availability during your opponent’s turn, which will allow you to respond swiftly and reset their board presence. Timing is crucial—acting at the right moment to counter or remove the Caterpillar can leave your opponent vulnerable and swing the tide of the game in your favor.
Remaining vigilant and having answers ready in your deck for the Giant Caterpillar’s tactics can ensure you maintain control of the battlefield. Calculated plays and well-timed responses showcase the depth of strategy inherent in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Giant Caterpillar MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Mercadian Masques, 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 Caterpillar 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
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Printings
The Giant Caterpillar Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 108 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Zina Saunders | |
| 2 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 249 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | VIS-108 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Zina Saunders | ||
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 666 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Caterpillar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Giant Caterpillar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-02-01 | It used to make Butterfly tokens. Now it makes Insect tokens named Butterfly. |