Giant Octopus MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 56
1999-07-01 - Number 39
2000-04-01 - Number 14
2001-04-11 - Number 77★
2001-04-11 - Number 77
2003-07-28 - Number S3
2005-07-29 - Number S4
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Octopus |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Cards like Giant Octopus
Giant Octopus is a classic creature card in Magic: The Gathering, a member of the expansive array of sea monsters players can unleash. It shares the ocean’s depths with the likes of Kraken of the Straits, a formidable creature that restricts the opponent’s ability to block unless they harness immense power. While Giant Octopus doesn’t impact blocking, it offers a more accessible summoning cost, making it easier to play in early rounds.
Island fish Jasconius is another card with a similar marine theme, yet it has a unique twist with its islandhome ability, which forces it back to the owner’s hand if you don’t control an Island. This added complication contrasts with Giant Octopus’s straightforward approach to the battlefield. Further in the depths, the Serpent of the Endless Sea boasts a power tied directly to the number of Islands you control, rewarding players for a specific land-type strategy, unlike the more flexible deployment of Giant Octopus.
Analyzing the deep sea options within Magic: The Gathering, it’s clear that Giant Octopus serves as a reliable and uncomplicated choice for aquatic-themed decks, emphasizing ease of play over the specialized mechanics found in its brethren of the briny blue.
Cards similar to Giant Octopus by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Giant Octopus presents an ability to potentially draw multiple cards, which may occur if it successfully deals damage to your opponent or a planeswalker they control. This can provide a significant boost in card availability, keeping your hand filled with strategic options.
Resource Acceleration: Should the Giant Octopus enter the battlefield with any enchantments or equipment that grant additional mana generation, it can effectively become a source of resource acceleration. While not inherent to the card itself, savvy deck-building around this creature can reap rewards in the mana game.
Instant Speed: Abilities or interactions that feature the Giant Octopus at instant speed can drastically alter the tide of the game when least expected. For instance, flashing in a card that synergizes with the Octopus can disrupt your opponent’s plans or fortify your board state without giving them a chance to prepare during their own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Giant Octopus requires you to discard another card from your hand to unleash its abilities. This demand can set you back when you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent, particularly in the late game when resources are crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the limiting factors of the Giant Octopus is its demand for a specific mana combination. Requiring both blue and another type of mana can restrict its integration, binding it predominantly to decks that are either mono-blue or that reliably generate the right mana combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana requirements scaled on the higher side, there can be considerable delay before you are able to play the Giant Octopus. In many game scenarios, you might find more tempo-advantageous creatures to play at a lower cost, leaving the Giant Octopus overshadowed by more versatile options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Giant Octopus is a card that can adapt across various blue-themed decks. Its aquatic nature allows it to blend seamlessly into sea-creature-based strategies and provides a solid body for defense or offense in any sea-faring deck composition.
Combo Potential: Within the proper deck, such as those using the theme of “islands matter,” the Giant Octopus can be part of powerful synergies. It serves not only as a creature for attack and defense but can also be used in tandem with cards that capitalize on the number of sea creatures or octopuses you control.
Meta-Relevance: For those local metas where blue control and sea creatures are prevalent, adding the Giant Octopus to your collection may offer a cost-effective creature option. Its simple requirements and straightforward gameplay make it an accessible yet effective choice in the right circumstances.
How to Beat
Confronting a Giant Octopus in Magic: The Gathering requires tactical precision. As a creature with the potential to dominate the seas of your battles, it’s essential to understand its weakness—removal spells. A straightforward solution is to utilize Unsummon, a spell that returns the creature to its owner’s hand, disrupting their mana investment and tempo. Similarly, spells like Murder or Doom Blade can dispatch the Giant Octopus outright, ensuring it sinks beneath the waves of the graveyard.
Control decks thrive against such creatures, employing counterspells like Cancel or Negate to prevent the Giant Octopus from ever making a splash on the battlefield. Beyond single-target removal, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board of all creatures, including the deep-sea menace.
Adaptation is the key in MTG; align your deck with responsive spells and keep an eye out for an opportune tide to turn the game. Whether it’s through bouncing, destruction, or countering, ensure you have the means to face and defeat the Giant Octopus and any other threats that emerge from the depths of your opponent’s deck.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Giant Octopus MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Starter 1999, 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 Octopus 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 Octopus Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 56 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 39 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson | |
| 3 | 2000-04-01 | Starter 2000 | S00 | 14 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 77★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 77 | 1997 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | S3 | 2003 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | S4 | 2003 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Octopus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |