Giant Scorpion MTG Card

The Giant Scorpion’s deathtouch ability can force unfavorable trades, potentially leading to card advantage. Its presence can indirectly slow down an opponent’s game, allowing you tactical resource pacing. The psychological impact of a potential blocker like Giant Scorpion can alter an opponent’s strategy.

Zendikar (ZEN)
2009-10-02 - Number 90

Magic 2013 (M13)
2012-07-13 - Number 94

Giant Scorpion - Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis (DDR)

Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis (DDR)
2016-09-02 - Number 50

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Scorpion
Abilities	Deathtouch
Power	1
Toughness	3

Text of card

Deathtouch (Creatures dealt damage by this creature are destroyed. You can divide this creature's combat damage among any of the creatures blocking or blocked by it.)

Its sting hurts, but death is strangely painless.

Cards like Giant Scorpion

The Giant Scorpion presents itself as a formidable creature card in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other low-cost deathtouch creatures like Typhoid Rats. Both cards offer an efficient defensive capability, deterring opponents from attacking with their precious creatures. Unlike Typhoid Rats, the Giant Scorpion brings an additional point of toughness to the battlefield, enhancing its ability to survive combat.

Diving further into the pool of comparison, Vampire Nighthawk emerges as another comparable creature, with deathtouch as a key shared feature. While Vampire Nighthawk demands a higher mana investment, it compensates with flying and lifelink, elevating its combat and defensive utility. In direct contrast, the Giant Scorpion stands as a more accessible option for decks that require early game board presence and a reliable defensive roadblock.

Given these points, Giant Scorpion holds its ground as a cost-effective choice within the array of deathtouch creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its subtle power in the early game can shape the rhythm of a match, making it a solid consideration for players building strategies on a budget or seeking out precision removal options.

Cards similar to Giant Scorpion by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Giant Scorpion card brings a strategic benefit in its death touch ability, which often requires your opponent to exchange a more valuable creature in combat or manage it through removal spells, leading to potential card advantage through favorable trades.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana acceleration, the presence of Giant Scorpion on the board can deter opponents from attacking, potentially slowing down their aggressive resource expenditure and allowing you to better pace your own resource development.

Instant Speed: While Giant Scorpion itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its mere existence as a possible blocker can influence an opponent’s decisions. This can provide indirect benefits similar to instant speed interaction by forcing the opponent to play around it, essentially granting you a psychological edge in the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To bring the Giant Scorpion into play, you may have to sacrifice valuable resources from your hand. This requirement can backfire, especially when you’re struggling with card advantage or need to maintain a strong hand presence to counteract your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a specific blend of mana types to cast. If your mana base isn’t well-tuned to include the requisite colors, you might find the Giant Scorpion languishing in your hand uncastable, affecting the fluidity of your gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with its abilities, the mana investment might be on the higher side. Certain decks might offer alternatives that bring more versatility or impact to the battlefield for the same, or lower, mana expenditure. This can limit the appeal of including the Giant Scorpion in decks where mana efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Giant Scorpion in Your Collection

Versatility: Giant Scorpion is a solid inclusion in decks that need reliable defense. Its deathtouch ability means it can act as a deterrent to attackers, neutralizing much larger threats.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a key part of combos, particularly in those that take advantage of deathtouch and lifelink synergies, potentially clearing the board while maintaining your life total.

Meta-Relevance: With an environment frequented by powerful single creatures, the Giant Scorpion can be a cost-effective solution to maintain balance on the battlefield against more aggressive decks.

How to beat

Giant Scorpion may seem like a mere nuisance at first glance, but its deathtouch ability can be a significant deterrent on the battlefield in MTG. The key to overcoming this creature lies in avoiding direct combat when possible. Instead of sending valuable creatures to their demise, consider using removal spells or abilities that do not rely on dealing damage, such as exile or bounce effects. Cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon can efficiently handle the Scorpion without triggering its lethal ability.

One could also employ flying creatures to soar over the Scorpion’s reach or use cards that prevent it from blocking. Enchantments or artifacts that restrict a creature’s ability to block, like Pacifism or Claustrophobia, can contain the threat without engaging it directly. It’s also worth considering non-combat strategies, redirecting focus to direct life loss, milling, or other alternate win conditions that sidestep creature combat altogether.

All things considered, flexibility and strategy are paramount when playing against a Giant Scorpion in MTG. By utilizing the right tools and avoiding toe-to-toe battles, players can mitigate the risk it poses and maintain control over the game state.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giant Scorpion MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Magic 2013, 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 Scorpion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Giant Scorpion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2016-09-02. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-10-02	Zendikar	ZEN	90	2003	Normal	Black	Raymond Swanland
2	2012-07-13	Magic 2013	M13	94	2003	Normal	Black	Raymond Swanland
3	2016-09-02	Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis	DDR	50	2015	Normal	Black	Raymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Scorpion has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal