Godhunter Octopus MTG Card

A single Godhunter Octopus can pressure opponents, often using multiple resources to contend with it. Optimal in a control deck, the Octopus aligns well with instant speed casts and a solid mana base. Its attacking condition can be turned into strength in enchantment-heavy metagames or against specific opponents.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Octopus
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx
Set code	JOU
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	39
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tyler Jacobson

Text of card

Godhunter Octopus can't attack unless defending player controls an enchantment or an enchanted permanent.

"I will match Thassa drop for drop and show a god what true power is." —Kiora

Cards like Godhunter Octopus

Godhunter Octopus may seem like a straightforward creature card within the vast ocean of Magic: The Gathering. With marine gusto, this card shares similarities with other sea creatures like Kraken of the Straits. Both require a substantial mana investment, yet the Godhunter Octopus is distinct with its need to have opponents control an enchanted Island to attack. Unlike the Kraken, it does not have any innate protection, which might leave it vulnerable on the battlefield.

Another card that it often swims alongside in discussions is Harbor Serpent. Much like the Octopus, the serpent demands specific conditions to be met to attack – specifically, five Islands under any player’s control. While the Serpent boasts higher power, Godhunter Octopus remains a reliable pick when deckbuilding, as it’s not entirely dependent on your own field’s topography.

Diving deeper into the comparison, we see Island home creatures like Sealock Monster. Although it can’t naturally attack without an opponent’s Island, Sealock Monster brings the capacity to essentially become an Island, changing the game’s tides. Each of these lovingly crafted cards from Magic: The Gathering offers nuances that cater to different strategies, with the Godhunter Octopus anchoring a unique niche of requirement-driven marine might.

Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Godhunter Octopus by color, type and mana cost

Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions

Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Being a hefty creature, Godhunter Octopus can apply pressure on the opponent, potentially causing them to expend multiple cards to handle it. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as your single card may require the opponent to use several resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Godhunter Octopus doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its significant presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking, providing you with the much-needed time to develop your mana base and play high-impact spells.

Instant Speed: While Godhunter Octopus is not an instant itself, its interaction with cards that can be cast at instant speed can be crucial. It thrives in a control shell where you can keep mana up for instants and flash creatures, deploying the Octopus when the coast is clear to start dominating the board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Godhunter Octopus does not require a discard, but its specific conditions to attack can be indirectly taxing, as you need to control a significant board presence to utilize it optimally.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is particularly color-heavy, requiring three blue mana. This can be restrictive for multicolor decks that may struggle with such color-intensive demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of six, Godhunter Octopus can be considered costly, especially when there are other creatures in the same mana range with potentially more impactful abilities or higher power and toughness ratios.

Reasons to Include Godhunter Octopus in Your Collection

Versatility: Godhunter Octopus thrives in decks that control the board with a strong presence of enchantments or other permanents that impact opponents’ creatures. Its ability to only attack if defending player controls an enchantment makes it a solid fit for strategies that play off opponents’ setups.

Combo Potential: With its sizable body, Godhunter Octopus can be leveraged in combos that capitalize on high-power creatures. It’s a prime target for various auras or equipment, maximising its offensive capabilities for potentially game-ending swings.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where enchantment-heavy decks are common, Godhunter Octopus can become a persistent offensive threat. With the right support, its specific attacking condition could be more of an asset than a hindrance, making it an unexpected yet potent choice.

How to beat

When facing the Godhunter Octopus in Magic: The Gathering, understanding its unique abilities is key to devising a successful strategy. This formidable sea creature may only attack if the defending player controls an enchantment, a restriction that can work to your advantage. To circumvent the threat posed by this octopus, one option is to limit the number of enchantments on your side of the battlefield, thereby reducing the opportunities for it to attack.

Moreover, because Godhunter Octopus thrives in a battlefield rich in enchantments, utilizing removal spells to target and dispel your opponent’s enchantments can be an effective tactic. This not only restricts the octopus’ attacking ability but can also destabilize the synergy of an opponent’s deck that relies heavily on enchantment effects.

For those who prefer a more direct approach, exploiting the octopus’ lack of protection abilities means that standard creature removal spells remain a reliable method to dispatch this sea monster. By keeping a well-rounded suite of creature and enchantment removal in your deck, you can ensure that the Godhunter Octopus remains a manageable threat throughout the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Godhunter Octopus MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Godhunter Octopus and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Godhunter Octopus has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-04-26	Whether the defending player controls an enchantment or enchanted permanent is checked only as attackers are declared. Once Godhunter Octopus has been declared as an attacker, it will continue to attack even if the defending player loses control of each enchantment or enchanted permanent they controlled.