Giant Spider MTG Card

Provides excellent defense against multiple flying creatures, potentially leading to card advantage. Its presence allows for better resource allocation, indirectly accelerating your game plan. Favors decks designed to counter flying threats, despite its specific mana requirements.
Card setsReleased in 35 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spider
Abilities Reach
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

Does not fly, but can block flying creatures.

While it possesses potent venom, the Giant Spider often chooses not to paralyze its victims. Perhaps the creature enjoys the gentle rocking motion caused by its captives' struggles to escape its web.

Cards like Giant Spider

Giant Spider, a classic creature from the world of Magic: The Gathering, has stood the test of time, enchanting players with its simple yet effective board presence. This card parallels with others in the sphere of creature-based control, such as Netcaster Spider. Although Netcaster Spider also boasts reach and a power to tangle with flying creatures, Giant Spider comes with a stronger defense, making it a sturdier blocker against a wider range of attackers.

Another card worthy of comparison is the Sporecap Spider. It shares the same mana cost and also presents the notable reach ability, but it’s in the toughness where Giant Spider takes the lead, thereby having the upper edge in surviving more encounters. Then there’s the Skyway Sniper which, while being more mana-efficient and having the potential to deal direct damage to flying creatures, lacks the robustness Giant Spider provides on the battlefield.

In summary, as a staple in MTG, Giant Spider has built a reputation of dependability in combatting air threats. A mix of endurance and functionality marks Giant Spider’s ongoing relevance in the ever-evolving meta, positioning it as a reliable choice for decks needing to secure their defenses against flyers.

Netcaster Spider - MTG Card versions
Sporecap Spider - MTG Card versions
Skyway Sniper - MTG Card versions
Netcaster Spider - MTG Card versions
Sporecap Spider - MTG Card versions
Skyway Sniper - MTG Card versions

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

Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Giant Spider can readily hold off multiple smaller creatures, effectively stemming the flow of damage and potentially forcing your opponent to overcommit resources to handle it. This defensive resilience can lead to gaining card advantage, as your opponent may need to use more than one card to deal with the threat posed by the Giant Spider.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Giant Spider itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its mere presence on the battlefield as a deterrent frees up your mana and other resources. Rather than having to continuously invest in defending against flying creatures, you can focus your mana and efforts elsewhere, effectively accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: The Giant Spider may not have instant speed itself, but it interacts favorably in a meta filled with instants. Its ability to block creatures with flying gives you an instant-like advantage over opponents who rely on end-of-turn plays or combat tricks with their evasive creatures. The Spider ensures that your defenses are always up, even when the battlefield is full of surprises.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green mana and generic mana, Giant Spider can strain mana flexibility in decks not heavily invested in green, potentially creating casting issues in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Giant Spider is often overshadowed by creatures that boast a greater power and toughness or additional abilities at a similar or lower mana cost, making it a less appealing choice for many players.

Discard Requirement: Though not a direct element of the card, in metagames that favor hand-disruption strategies, having to keep Giant Spider in hand until the fourth turn could lead to it being discarded by an opponent’s effect, representing a potential risk for resource management.

Reasons to Include Giant Spider in Your Collection

Versatility: Giant Spider is capable of fitting seamlessly into numerous deck builds, proudly taking on the role of a defensive cornerstone thanks to its ability to block flying creatures – a common threat in many games.

Combo Potential: With its reach ability, Giant Spider pairs well with cards that manipulate the combat phase or benefit from having a sturdy blocker on the table, strengthening your defensive strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures are prevalent, incorporating a reliable reach creature like Giant Spider can be a strategic choice to deter aerial assaults and protect your life total.

How to beat

Giant Spider is a classic creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Recognized for its ability to stand as a defensive bulwark thanks to reach, it can effectively block flying creatures that might otherwise slip by unchecked. Despite its capability to patrol the skies, Giant Spider has vulnerabilities that can be exploited. One straightforward strategy is to employ removal spells that bypass its reach ability. Spells like Murder can cleanly remove it from play without engaging in combat.

When it comes to combat, you might consider overpowering it with larger ground creatures since the Giant Spider’s stats are modest for its cost. Using enchantments or equipment to enhance your creatures ensures they can tangle with the Spider without fear. In multiplayer formats, you can also navigate around the Giant Spider by pressuring your opponent with multiple threats, diverting its blocking potential. Finally, remember that Giant Spider’s forte is defense, not offense, which gives you time to develop a winning board state while it’s merely keeping the air clear.

Understanding these strategies will help you to not only overcome the Giant Spider but also refine your approach to dealing with similar defensive threats on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giant Spider MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Spider and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Giant Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 30 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1981993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1991993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1991993NormalWhiteSandra Everingham
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1991993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1991993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2001993NormalWhiteSandra Everingham
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2001993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2001993NormalWhiteSandra Everingham
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2491993NormalWhiteSandra Everingham
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2491993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3001997NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
121997-05-01PortalPOR 1671997NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
131999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2341997NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
142001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2491997NormalWhiteRay Lago
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 249★1997NormalBlackRay Lago
162003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 255★2003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
172003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2552003NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
182005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2442003NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
192005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 244★2003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
202007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 267★2003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
212007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2672003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
222009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1852003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
232010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 672003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
242010-07-16Magic 2011M11 1792003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
252011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1772003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
262013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1752003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
272016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 708492015NormalBlackQiu De En
282017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 1662015NormalBlackAaron Miller
292018-06-22Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu YanlingGS1 272015NormalBlackQiu De En
302018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1832015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
312019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12192015NormalBlackAaron Miller
322020-09-26The ListPLST AKH-1662015NormalBlackAaron Miller
332022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4911997NormalBlackSandra Everingham
342022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1942015NormalBlackSandra Everingham
352023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1632015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Spider has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Giant Spider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2008-04-01 This card now uses the Reach keyword ability to enable the blocking of flying creatures. This works because a creature with flying can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach.