Grunn, the Lonely King MTG Card


Grunn can significantly impact games, making it an imposing threat against opponents. Strategies involving ramp and high-power synergy align well with Grunn’s abilities. Gameplay involving Grunn requires strategic resource management and defensive tactics.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Ape Warrior
Abilities Kicker
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) If Grunn, the Lonely King was kicked, it enters the battlefield with five +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever Grunn attacks alone, double its power and toughness until end of turn.


Cards like Grunn, the Lonely King

Grunn, the Lonely King is a unique creature card that finds its niche among the powerful, yet cost-effective, beaters in Magic: The Gathering. A close comparison is Verdurous Gearhulk, which can similarly bolster its power and toughness, distributing +1/+1 counters upon entering the battlefield. Grunn differs in that it doubles its might when attacking alone, creating a singular threat without the immediate board impact of the Gearhulk.

Another comparable creature is the classic Ghalta, Primal Hunger. Both cards boast massive power that can end games quickly if left unchecked. However, Ghalta can potentially be cast for just two mana thanks to its cost reduction ability tied to the total power of creatures you control, whereas Grunn maintains a fixed casting cost. On the flip side, Grunn can operate as a mighty standalone threat, more suited to decks that might not spread the board with a large number of creatures.

Overall, while there are other formidable creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Grunn, the Lonely King stands out for players looking to apply pressure with a single, mighty attacker that can swiftly double its damage output, embodying a true all-or-nothing approach.

Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grunn, the Lonely King by color, type and mana cost

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Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grunn the Lonely King enables potential card advantage due to its formidable ability to be a game-ending threat on its own. Once on the battlefield, the presence of Grunn can deter opponents from trading creatures, indirectly leading to a form of card advantage as your other creatures may remain unchallenged.

Resource Acceleration: While Grunn itself does not provide direct resource acceleration, its 6 mana cost makes it an ideal candidate for ramp strategies that are prevalent within the green color pie. This pairs well with spells and abilities that allow for increased land drops or mana production to cast Grunn ahead of curve.

Instant Speed: Although Grunn the Lonely King operates at sorcery speed, it demands instant-speed responses from opponents. The ability to double its power and toughness when attacking alone can create surprise wins, forcing your adversary to keep mana open for potential removal, which in turn can disrupt their own game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Grunn, the Lonely King doesn’t specifically ask players to discard cards, it’s important to keep in mind that to trigger its kicker cost, you might have to leverage additional resources which could put a strain on your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes both generic and green mana, Grunn can sometimes be a challenging fit for multi-colored or mana-intensive decks, potentially leading to a bottleneck in the mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Grunn comes in at a hefty six mana, which can slow your early game down. Even though it can be a game-changer later on, its initial cost is high compared to other creatures that could be more impactful upon hitting the board.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grunn, the Lonely King is a flexible card that can be a game changer in a variety of decks. It can swing games in your favor whether you’re ramping up in a mono-green build or slotting it into a multicolor deck that values high-power creatures.

Combo Potential: With its ability to double its power and toughness when attacking alone, Grunn offers excellent synergy with strategies that enhance or take advantage of high-power creatures. It’s a potent addition to decks focused on Voltron-style play or that utilize effects that scale with creature size.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the current landscape, a creature that can potentially be an overwhelming threat on its own maintains relevance. Grunn aligns well in an environment where single, large threats can determine the outcome of a game, particularly against decks that can’t handle such an imposing singular presence on the battlefield.


How to beat

Grunn the Lonely King is a powerful force in MTG, known for commanding the board with its potential to deal massive amounts of damage when attacking alone. Overcoming this verdant monarch requires strategic plays and a well-crafted deck. One efficient tactic is to keep your battlefield populated with ample blockers. Grunn, after all, can only be as formidable as its unobstructed path to victory.

Removal spells are your next line of defense. Direct kill spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispel the threat before it becomes insurmountable. Don’t overlook the potential of bounce spells such as Unsummon to reset Grunn’s kicked status and diminish its kingdom of solitude. Alternatively, combat tricks can turn the tables during the critical attack phase, with instants like Giant Growth enhancing your blockers to withstand and eliminate Grunn.

Ultimately, the key to dethroning Grunn the Lonely King lies in anticipation and swift action. By managing your resources carefully and keeping the right answers in hand, you ensure that Grunn’s reign on the battlefield is short-lived, and your victory is secured.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into the forest’s heart, we’ve uncovered the sovereign presence of Grunn the Lonely King. This towering MTG card offers a myriad of strategic advantages, from card advantage to game-ending potential. Whether you’re fortifying a mono-green deck or mixing hues for a multicolor construct, understanding Grunn’s strengths and pitfalls is essential. Is your arsenal primed for his royal entry? Refine your strategy and reign supreme with the might of Grunn. Eager to harness the power of this solitary ruler or find alternative titans for your front line? Journey with us as we explore deck-building finesse and more!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grunn, the Lonely King MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Dominaria Promos, 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 Grunn, the Lonely King and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grunn, the Lonely King Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Mathias Kollros.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 1652015NormalBlackMathias Kollros
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 165s2015NormalBlackMathias Kollros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grunn, the Lonely King has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 A creature attacks alone if it’s the only creature declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step (including creatures controlled by your teammates, if applicable). For example, Grunn’s last ability won’t trigger if you attack with multiple creatures and all but one of them are removed from combat.
2018-04-27 If a creature’s power is less than 0 when it’s doubled, instead that creature gets -X/-0, where X is how much less than 0 its power is. For example, if an effect has given Grunn -7/-0 so that it’s a -2/5 creature, doubling its power and toughness gives it -2/+5, and it’s a -4/10 until end of turn.
2018-04-27 If an effect instructs you to “double” a creature’s power, that creature gets +X/+0, where X is its power as that effect begins to apply. The same is true for its toughness.