Giant Solifuge MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 143
2016-06-10 - Number 216
2019-02-15 - Number 91
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Abilities | Haste,Shroud,Trample |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
({RG} can be paid with either or .) Trample, haste Giant Solifuge can't be the target of spells or abilities.
"We respect all lifeforms, but this one we respect from a distance." —Mandor, Selesnya ranger
Cards like Giant Solifuge
Giant Solifuge is a unique creature card that brings interesting dynamics to MTG gameplay, blending aspects of hastiness and evasion. Its similarities to Skizzik display a shared vein of evasive creatures with haste – a trait that allows them to swing in for damage unannounced. However, Skizzik, unlike Giant Solifuge, sacrifices itself unless additional mana is paid, making the Solifuge a somewhat sturdier option for aggressive strategies.
Comparatively, the likes of Boggart Ram-Gang also provide haste with the added bonus of wither, enabling it to weaken creatures it battles. Giant Solifuge lacks this, but comes with shroud, making it resistant to targeted removal spells and abilities – a significant defensive boon. Porcelain Legionnaire also warrants a mention. Though it does not have haste, its modality in casting cost and first strike make it a versatile choice for different phases of the game.
In sum, while there are a handful of creatures that offer haste and engage in instant combat, the evasive, and protective elements of Giant Solifuge prove it a solid contender in MTG creature line-ups, particularly for players valuing surprise attacks and resilience against interactive spells.
Cards similar to Giant Solifuge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Giant Solifuge doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its evasion abilities make it a recurring threat that must be addressed, essentially pressuring your opponent to use more resources to deal with it than you spent to play it.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of mana acceleration, the four-power for four mana with additional abilities provides an efficient resource investment. This often leads to a significant presence on the board without depleting your hand or mana resources too quickly.
Instant Speed: Giant Solifuge’s Flash ability allows you to play it at instant speed, a powerful surprise factor that can be a game-changer during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, much like with traditional instant spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Giant Solifuge doesn’t require discarding as a direct cost, its presence in a deck may influence hand management strategy, putting the player in a position where the benefit of keeping it in hand must be weighed against the potential need for other resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Giant Solifuge requires both red and green mana, making it less versatile for decks that do not support a Gruul (red/green) color scheme. Players running monocolored or other two-colored combinations may find integrating the Solifuge challenging due to this specific mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including both specific colored mana, Giant Solifuge can be seen as an investment that may compete with other impactful four-mana spells or creatures in a player’s deck. Assessing its place in a deck’s curve is crucial, considering options that might provide more immediate impact or value.
Reasons to Include Giant Solifuge in Your Collection
Versatility: Giant Solifuge’s split mana cost allows it to easily fit into red, green, or Gruul decks. Its evasion abilities of trample and haste make it a solid choice for aggressive strategies that aim to deal damage quickly.
Combo Potential: This creature’s fast-paced nature works well with cards that benefit from dealing combat damage to players, such as those that trigger card draw or additional combat phases. Its resilience to spot removal also makes it a consistent threat on the board.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where fast-paced aggro decks reign, the Giant Solifuge offers immediate impact on the battlefield and can quickly reduce an opponent’s life total while evading common removal spells, maintaining relevance in various game situations.
How to beat
Giant Solifuge is a creature card that can be a real headache due to its swiftstrike and trample abilities, which allow it to deal damage before most other creatures and potentially deal excess damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking. To tackle this formidable foe in MTG, you’ll need a strategy that can neutralize it effectively.
One tactic is to use spot removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their evasion abilities. Since Giant Solifuge has shroud, it can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, so you’ll need something that doesn’t target or that affects all creatures on the board, like a “Wrath of God” effect. Alternatively, if you’re playing a blue deck, a card like “Aetherize” can return the Giant Solifuge to its owner’s hand right when it attacks, sidestepping the shroud ability since it doesn’t target.
Controlling the battlefield is paramount, and making sure you have blockers with enough toughness to survive the initial strike is crucial as well. Playing defensively and waiting for the right moment to strike or using indirect removal can turn the tide in your favor against a card as aggressive as Giant Solifuge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Giant Solifuge MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Eternal Masters, 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 Solifuge 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 Solifuge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 143 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pat Lee | |
| 2 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 3 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pat Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Solifuge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |