Highland Giant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Giant |
| Released | 1997-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal |
| Set code | POR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 132 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Cards like Highland Giant
Highland Giant introduces an interesting dynamic in the roster of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This towering force is akin to Hill Giant, with both sharing the same creature type and power/toughness ratio. Yet, Highland Giant carves its own niche with unique abilities or flavor that distinguishes it from its hillside cousin.
Glancing over to Thundering Giant, we find another relative, sharing the theme of a massive creature that makes an impactful entrance. While both giants wield formidable strength, Thundering Giant boasts haste, allowing for immediate action upon hitting the battlefield. This contrasts with the steadier pace that Highland Giant may exhibit.
Expanding the family tree, the Cyclopean Giant presents an alternative option, though this time with a slightly different creature type. It expands on the simple yet effective approach of a large-bodied creature by adding a graveyard-triggered ability — a feature Highland Giant does not possess. Each of these cards holds its own, catering to different strategic positions in a player’s deck.
As we delve into the specifics and evaluate card synergies, Highland Giant remains a solid choice for those who appreciate traditional brute strength in their MTG decks, promising to deliver powerful blows over nuanced tactical plays.
Cards similar to Highland Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Highland Giant may not directly offer you additional card draws, but its sheer presence on the battlefield can represent a formidable obstacle for opponents. A well-timed play with this card can deter opponent attacks and cement your board position, effectively giving you an indirect advantage over time.
Resource Acceleration: While the Highland Giant itself doesn’t provide a boost in your mana resources, its potential synergy with various ramp spells allows you to deploy this substantial creature ahead of schedule. Getting a substantial threat on the board early can make all the difference in the later stages of a match.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the Highland Giant plays an essential role in a deck that values instant-speed interactions. By maintaining a solid guardian like this, it enables you to prioritize using your mana for instant-speed spells during your opponent’s turn, knowing that you have a reliable reinforcement already in place.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Highland Giant comes with a downside unlike some other creatures – you must discard a card to leverage any additional effects. When your hand is running empty, this prerequisite can become a significant drawback, straining your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Highland Giant’s casting cost demands specific mana combination, which is strictly tailored for decks with a red mana source. This requirement restricts its flexibility, making it a less desirable option for multi-colored or mana-intensive decks that might struggle to meet the cost.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating creatures of similar power levels, Highland Giant’s mana cost might be seen as excessive. Considering its cost, players often expect a more impactful board presence or additional abilities that could justify the investment, which this giant, in its simplicity, fails to deliver.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Highland Giant stands out due to its flexibility. As a creature card, it serves well in a variety of decks, notably those seeking robust and cost-effective creatures to bolster their battlefield presence.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with mechanics that capitalize on the presence of sizeable creatures. Its substantial power opens up opportunities to use cards or abilities that trigger upon dealing damage or entering combat, making it a valuable addition to strategies that depend on strong attackers or “giants” synergy.
Meta-Relevance: Should the current meta favor decks filled with smaller creatures, the Highland Giant could help tip the scales. Its formidable stature allows it to act as a deterrent and maintain board control against swarm strategies, giving players a significant advantage in such environments.
How to beat
The Highland Giant stands tall in MTG as a creature that can be quite formidable due to its sheer size. Facing this colossal being on the battlefield means one must be smart and strategic. To overcome such a massive adversary, the art of removal becomes essential; spells that can directly eliminate creatures from play can turn the tide. Consider employing instant-speed removal like ‘Swords to Plowshares’ which can dispatch the Giant before it even has a chance to swing for damage.
Control elements are another avenue, with counterspells such as ‘Counterspell’ or ‘Negate’ serving as a preemptive strike against the Giant before it even sets foot on the field. Additionally, utilizing creatures with deathtouch like ‘Typhoid Rats’ can neutralize the threat at a much lower cost. Keep in mind that the Highland Giant’s strengths lay primarily in its size, so evasion tactics like flying creatures can also be an effective method to bypass it altogether, ensuring your victory.
In summary, although the Highland Giant poses a significant threat with its formidable presence, a well-prepared arsenal of spells and strategies can help ensure that this mountain of a creature doesn’t overshadow your path to triumph in the game of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Highland Giant MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 Highland 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Highland Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |