Hammerfist Giant MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 130
2015-11-13 - Number 157
2018-06-08 - Number 103
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Giant Warrior |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
: Hammerfist Giant deals 4 damage to each creature without flying and each player.
"Oh sure, they buy a lot of ale, but I always find myself needing to rebuild after the giants have paid a visit." —Belko, owner of Titan's Keg tavern
Cards like Hammerfist Giant
Hammerfist Giant is an impactful force in the realm of MTG, drawing comparisons to other creature cards adept at delivering area-of-effect damage. A prime analog is Inferno Titan, which similarly disperses damage upon entering the battlefield and when attacking. However, Inferno Titan offers greater control, allowing targeted allocation of its damage to multiple creatures or players, unlike Hammerfist Giant’s blanket assault on all creatures and both players.
Another card with resemblance is the Cyclops Gladiator. Like the giant, it is aligned with dealing damage, but in a more singled-out fashion, targeting a creature upon combat involvement. Although it lacks the board-wide influence of the Hammerfist Giant, its precision can be advantageous in picking off key threats. Lastly, there’s Bloodfire Colossus, sharing the trait of sweeping damage. While both can be formidable in wiping creatures off the board, the Bloodfire Colossus demands a sacrifice for its effect, a steeper price compared to the tapping requirement of Hammerfist Giant.
Deciding between these creatures often comes down to the desired strategy and board state. Hammerfist Giant holds a unique position in MTG with its potential to shift the tide of a game through its universal damage output, offering a narrative of raw power in creature-based red decks.
Cards similar to Hammerfist Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hammerfist Giant provides substantial impact by potentially clearing multiple creatures off the board in a single action. This can lead to a considerable swing in card advantage by diminishing an opponent’s board presence while maintaining your own.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, the sheer presence of Hammerfist Giant can deter opponents from deploying creatures, effectively accelerating your game plan by allowing you to develop your board unchallenged.
Instant Speed: While Hammerfist Giant’s activated ability isn’t at instant speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells that grant indestructibility or damage prevention, enabling you to manipulate the board state efficiently during a crucial turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hammerfist Giant necessitates discarding a card to activate its ability, a significant drawback when your hand is running low on cards. This can setback your game plan, especially when you’re looking for options to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost demanding both red and generic mana, this giant’s deployment is mostly confined to decks that are based on or can accommodate red mana sources. This restricts its flexibility across the various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a 6 mana cost to bring this creature to the fray, Hammerfist Giant falls on the higher end of the mana curve. This might tax your resources, and by the time you are able to cast it, opponents may have already established formidable defenses or turned the tide of the match, reducing its impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hammerfist Giant serves as a powerful option for decks seeking a solid mid-game presence. Its ability to deal damage to each creature without flying and each player adds a layer of utility, impacting the board whether you’re ahead or behind.
Combo Potential: With its ability to dish out widespread damage, Hammerfist Giant can be the lynchpin in strategies focusing on manipulating damage outputs or utilizing damage-triggered abilities. It’s a card that can easily turn the tides when combined with effects that prevent or enhance damage.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where smaller creature decks are prevalent, Hammerfist Giant could emerge as a key player. Its sweeping damage ability can clear the board of multiple threats at once, making it a noteworthy inclusion for those preparing to face swarms of ground-based creatures.
How to beat
Confronting a Hammerfist Giant on the battlefield can be a daunting challenge for many Magic: The Gathering players. This card becomes a focal point of your opponent’s strategy with its ability to deal damage across the board. One efficient tactic against this behemoth is to utilize removal spells capable of targeting and destroying it before its activation cost can be paid. Swift response cards such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade offer a resolution by removing the Giant from play outright.
Alternatively, take advantage of its symmetrical damage ability—that is, its damage affects all creatures, not just your own. Fielding creatures with toughness greater than 4 makes them resilient to the Giant’s shockwave. Indestructible creatures or those with protection from red can nullify the Giant’s effect, maintaining your board presence. Lastly, countering the Giant when it’s cast, using spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, ensures it never even hits the board, undercutting your opponent’s game plan right from the start.
While the Hammerfist Giant can be a formidable foe, knowing the right strategies and cards to keep in your deck will help ensure that this leviathan of red mana doesn’t overrun your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hammerfist Giant MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Commander 2015, 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 Hammerfist Giant 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
Printings
The Hammerfist Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 130 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 103 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hammerfist Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |