Giant Spectacle MTG Card

Provides a creature boost, creating a significant threat on the battlefield and pressuring opponents effectively. Early playability for faster game tempo, though it demands specific mana types, potentially limiting flexibility. Works best when played at the right moment, significantly impacting the game in decks suited for aggression.

Kaladesh (KLD)
2016-09-30 - Number 116

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 949

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-116

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+1 and has menace.

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Cards like Giant Spectacle

Giant Spectacle is a unique aura in the MTG universe that empowers creatures with additional might. Alternatives like Madcap Skills provide creatures a comparable boost in power. Madcap Skills adds two points of attack and makes it harder for opponents to block, much like Giant Spectacle which provides a bonus and also grants menace. Yet, Madcap Skills gives a more aggressive edge with a slightly higher evasion capacity via its ability to be blocked by fewer creatures.

Another akin card is Hammerhand that, like Giant Spectacle, offers an instant boost in power and provides an additional effect, in this case, haste rather than menace. While Hammerhand is more cost-efficient at one mana, Giant Spectacle gives a more lasting presence on the board with its menace ability that can affect combat decisions for longer turns.

Assessing these cards against each other, Giant Spectacle holds its place with its balance of power increase and strategic combat control. The combination of granting extra power and menace makes any creature a formidable threat, which can be a turning point in MTG matches when played at the opportune moment.

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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Giant Spectacle might not draw you additional cards directly, equipping it to a creature can turn that creature into a more significant threat. This means the card has the potential to help you pressure your opponent more effectively and could force them to use more cards in response, inadvertently leading to card advantage on your side.

Resource Acceleration: As a relatively low-cost enchantment, Giant Spectacle can be played early on, potentially allowing for bigger and more intimidating creatures quicker than usual. It doesn’t increase your mana pool, but it accelerates your board presence, which is a crucial resource in its own right.

Instant Speed: While Giant Spectacle is not an instant, it plays well in decks that benefit from the element of surprise. Being an Aura, it can be attached to creatures unexpectedly during the pre-combat phase or second main phase, which can disrupt the opponent’s calculations and potentially lead to advantageous combat outcomes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Giant Spectacle can provide a substantial boost to your creature, the requirement to potentially discard cards due to its sorcery nature can set you back, especially when your hand is running low.

Specific Mana Cost: Giant Spectacle demands a precise combination of mana, including red, to cast. This can make it a less versatile pick in decks that are not heavily red or where mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might seem modest, but in an aggressive deck, you could deploy more threats on the battlefield instead. When compared to other buffs or auras at a similar cost, Giant Spectacle might not always offer the best bang for your mana buck.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Giant Spectacle can amplify a variety of aggressive strategies, fitting seamlessly into red decks that prioritize direct damage and creature buffs.

Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes with cards that capitalize on boosted attack stats or require the sacrifice of a powered-up creature for greater effect.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors quick, decisive plays, Giant Spectacle can turn a modest creature into a significant threat, potentially swaying the game in your favor.

How to beat

Giant Spectacle is a red enchantment aura that can add considerable power to creatures on the battlefield. When applied, it enhances the creature not only with a boost to attack but also grants menace, making it trickier for opponents to block without committing two or more creatures. However, there are strategies for handling this amplified threat in a game of Magic: The Gathering.

One efficient method is to utilize removal spells that can directly target the creature buffed by Giant Spectacle. Instant-speed spells like ‘Path to Exile’ or ‘Doom Blade’ offer a simple solution to bypass the menace ability altogether. Another tactic is controlling the board with sweepers such as ‘Wrath of God’ or ‘Damnation’, which can clear multiple threats at once, Giant Spectacle included. Players can also take advantage of bounce spells such as ‘Unsummon’ to temporarily remove the threat, effectively wasting the mana and the card used to cast Giant Spectacle.

In summary, despite the aggressive potential of Giant Spectacle, players can counter its impact by prioritizing removal resources, using strategic board wipes, or temporarily setting back their opponent’s progress with bounce effects. These approaches can help maintain control even when facing enhanced threats.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giant Spectacle MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Mystery Booster, 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 Spectacle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Giant Spectacle Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-09-30	Kaladesh	KLD	116	2015	Normal	Black	Johann Bodin
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	949	2015	Normal	Black	Johann Bodin
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	KLD-116	2015	Normal	Black	Johann Bodin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Spectacle has restrictions

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