Giant Turtle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Turtle |
| Released | 1994-06-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legends |
| Set code | LEG |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 188 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jeff A. Menges |
Text of card
Giant Turtle may not attack if it attacked during your last turn.
"The turtle lives 'twixt plated decks/ Which practically conceal its sex./ I think it clever of the turtle/ In such a fix to be so fertile." —Ogden Nash, "The Turtle"
Cards like Giant Turtle
Diving into the waters of unique creature types, the Giant Turtle card prompts comparisons with other slow but sturdy creatures in MTG. It shares the shell with creatures like Giant Tortoise, both echoing the notion of a defensive late-game asset. While Giant Turtle offers a respectable toughness, Giant Tortoise boosts its defense when it’s untapped, making it a more formidable blocker during your opponent’s turn.
Another creature to consider is Meandering Towershell, which also shares the turtle theme and a knack for resiliency. The Meandering Towershell distinguishes itself with an ability that delays its attack but enables a repetitive cycle of power, unlike the one-time protective effect of the Giant Turtle card.
Reviewing these creatures’ capabilities and roles on the battlefield helps to position Giant Turtle within the game’s ecosystem. Its similarity to other turtle cards establishes its place, especially for MTG players who appreciate a deck built on defense and patience, awaiting the perfect moment to make their move.
Cards similar to Giant Turtle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Giants, as formidable creatures in the multitasking realm, often offer substantial card advantage with abilities that draw cards upon entering the battlefield or when certain conditions are met. They can change the tide of the game by replenishing your hand, allowing for a more sustained and powerful board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Many giant creatures can ramp up your mana resources as well. Whether it’s by interacting with lands or providing cost reduction for other giant spells, having a Giant Turtle in your arsenal means potentially playing high-impact cards ahead of schedule, giving you a massive lead in the race for dominance.
Instant Speed: Although not generally associated with giant creature cards, those Turtle variety with flash can surprise an opponent by offering a substantial blocker when least expected. Instant-speed interactions allow for strategic plays that can disrupt an opponent’s attacks or key strategies, especially when timing is as crucial as the power on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A card such as Giant Turtle often includes a drawback such as needing to discard one of your cards to unlock certain abilities or to cast it. This requirement can potentially set you back, especially if you’re struggling to maintain hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Giant Turtle cards frequently need a precise combination of mana to hit the field. This specificity can limit deck flexibility, requiring players to build around certain colors, which may not always align with your deck strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With their lumbering size, Giant Turtles frequently come with a demanding mana cost. Given their cost, you might find them competing for a spot in your deck with creatures that possess not only similar stats but additional abilities with a lower overall investment, impacting their competitiveness in the playing field.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Giant Turtle card can seamlessly adapt to various deck styles. Its solid defensive stats make it a reliable blocker in slower, control-based strategies or a formidable presence. Furthermore, being a creature of the turtle variety, it supports tribal themes and can benefit from synergistic buffs and effects tailored to its type.
Combo Potential: Certain decks that capitalize on the untapping mechanic or the use of defender creatures can exploit the Giant Turtle’s unique offerings. It can be a cornerstone in such builds, linking together pieces for a combo that can catch opponents unaware.
Meta-Relevance: If the current competitive environment is teeming with swift, aggressive decks, a robust defender like Giant Turtle could be a wise inclusion. It can help stave off early onslaughts, granting you the necessary time to establish your game plan and swing the match in your favor with its steadfast presence on the board.
How to Beat
Giant Turtle, a creature with a formidable presence in the realm of Magic the Gathering, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. When facing this aquatic behemoth, one must emphasize speed and flexibility. To gain the upper hand against Giant Turtle, consider using removal spells that can bypass its often high toughness, like Murder or Path to Exile, which eliminate the creature regardless of its size.
Another efficient strategy is to employ creatures with flying or unblockable abilities, slipping past the Turtle’s defenses to deal direct damage. Enchantments that keep the Turtle tapped, like Claustrophobia, also work wonders by neutralizing it without engaging in combat.
In a game that celebrates diverse tactics, choosing the right angle of attack is crucial. Cards that can exile or shrink the Turtle, such as Reality Shift or Dismember, prove invaluable in such matchups. In conclusion, a strategic mix of removal, evasion, and control spells is the key to claiming victory over a Giant Turtle in Magic the Gathering, ensuring that this mighty card doesn’t turn the tides of battle against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Giant Turtle MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Turtle 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Turtle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Giant Turtle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It only cares if it attacked on _your_ last turn, and not your opponent’s. This makes a difference if you take control of the Turtle during your opponent’s turn after it attacks. You can use it on your turn because it began your turn on the battlefield and because you did not attack with it last turn. |