Hulking Cyclops MTG Card
1997-02-03 - Number 84
1997-05-01 - Number 134
1997-05-01 - Number 134s
1999-04-21 - Number 189
2000-10-01 - Number 38
2003-07-28 - Number 195★
2003-07-28 - Number 195
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Cyclops |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Hulking Cyclops cannot block.
"Some say a great cyclops turns the world in its hands, looking down upon it with its one bright eye." —Afari, *Tales*
Cards like Hulking Cyclops
Hulking Cyclops is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, though it bears resemblance to other hefty single-eye giants in the game. It is a creature that stands out for its size and lack of trample, unlike other similar creatures. For instance, take the Enraged Giant. This card offers a formidable 4/4 creature but also includes trample, giving it an edge during combat by potentially dealing excess damage to the opponent. Importantly, Enraged Giant can be cast for a lower cost using its improvise ability.
Another contender is the Bloodrock Cyclops, which shares the compulsion to attack each turn if able, just like Hulking Cyclops. However, Bloodrock Cyclops is more manageable, with a lower casting cost, but it also brings less power to the battlefield. The trade-offs between these cards hinge upon mana cost, power, and utility within a given strategy.
While Hulking Cyclops doesn’t lead the pack in finesse, its straightforward brute strength and the four damage it can deliver each swing make it a card worth considering for decks that capitalize on raw power and survivability in a creature. In the nuanced realm of creature selection, Hulking Cyclops competes by being an unyielding force once fielded.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hulking Cyclops doesn’t directly impact card advantage upon casting. However, its decent body can act as a deterrent, potentially preventing opponents from committing more creatures to the board and helping to maintain parity.
Resource Acceleration: While Hulking Cyclops lacks the ability to accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its mere presence might preserve your life total, effectively giving you more turns to draw and play out your resources.
Instant Speed: Although Hulking Cyclops is a creature card and not playable at instant speed, understanding when to deploy this 4/4 creature can be critical. Playing it after your opponent has committed to a non-favorable attack could create favorable blocks for you, potentially swinging the momentum of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Hulking Cyclops doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded directly, its hefty mana cost can lead to a depleted hand, constraining your options in the later game stages.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a precise mana sequence with two red sources might pose a challenge for multicolored decks, leaving some players struggling to cast it on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, the Hulking Cyclops can be cumbersome compared to other creatures in its class. This can slow down your tempo and give the advantage to players using more mana-efficient creatures.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hulking Cyclops offers a reliable body for red-based control or midrange decks. With its sizeable toughness, it stands as a deterrent for incoming attackers while posing a significant threat itself.
Combo Potential: With no special abilities to restrict its use, this creature can easily slip into various strategies, syncing well with cards that leverage high power creatures or benefit from enchantments to bypass its drawback of not being able to block.
Meta-Relevance: As aggro decks become prevalent, the need for robust, straightforward creatures increases. The Hulking Cyclops fits this bill perfectly, providing a hard-hitting creature that can sledgehammer through stalled board states without complications.
How to beat
Hulking Cyclops is a formidable creature that commands attention on the battlefield. This card is a notable presence due to its high power, enabling it to serve as a significant blocker or potent attacker. However, its inability to block offers strategic opportunities for opponents. For players facing this creature, effective tactics include utilizing flying or unblockable creatures, capitalizing on its defensive blind spot.
Evasion abilities are particularly effective. Incorporating cards with flying, intimidate, or fear can bypass the Cyclops, as it cannot obstruct these threats. Additionally, control spells that change the creature’s combat statistics or remove it from combat can be disarming. Enchantment auras or equipment that grant evasion to your creatures also tilt the encounter in your favor. Containment strategies with pacifying spells or abilities that prevent the Cyclops from attacking can also turn the tables.
Taking advantage of the Cyclops’s vulnerability is a manifestation of strategic depth in Magic: The Gathering. Utilizing these methods will influence the tide of battle against a Hulking Cyclops, illustrating the game’s intricate balance of power and weakness, and the perpetual dance to find advantageous positions within it.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hulking Cyclops MTG card by a specific set like Visions and 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 Hulking Cyclops 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 Hulking Cyclops Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 84 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi | |
| 2 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 134 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 3 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 134s | 1997 | Normal | Black | Lin Yan | |
| 4 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 189 | 1997 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 5 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 38 | 1997 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 195★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 195 | 2003 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hulking Cyclops has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |