Tor Giant MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Giant
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	220
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Douglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

Tor Giant bolsters card advantage, providing a steady stream of options during combat phases.
Resource acceleration is key, making it easier to cast powerful spells ahead of schedule.
Instant-speed spell synergy keeps opponents wary, adding depth to combat strategies.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Tor Giant offers a substantial benefit by potentially allowing for card draw each time it engages in combat. This consistent access to additional cards can solidify your position on the battlefield, keeping your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: As a powerful creature, Tor Giant can be a catalyst for resource acceleration. By connecting hits with the opponent, it may unlock abilities or interactions with other cards that boost your mana resources, facilitating the casting of high-cost spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: While Tor Giant itself may not operate at instant speed, it synergizes well in decks that do. The threat of its combat damage can force opponents to think twice before leaving themselves open, playing perfectly into a strategy that utilizes instant-speed spells to manipulate the state of play when it’s most advantageous.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tor Giant demands discarding another card when you play it, which can be detrimental when your hand is already light on options. This self-diminishing action can set you back in the game, especially if you’re relying on maintaining card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This colossal creature comes with a mana cost that is particularly red-intensive. Having to produce three red mana can be restrictive, often requiring a deck to be heavily invested in red or demanding a mana base that is highly tuned to produce multiple red sources reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The high mana requirement of Tor Giant isn’t always congruent with the pace at which some red decks prefer to operate. Aggressive or burn decks may find the cost too steep, making it a less favorable choice compared to other creatures with a more immediate board impact or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tor Giant offers a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of impacting various game scenarios. Its size makes it a reliable defender, while its strength allows it to be an assertive force when pressing an attack.

Combo Potential: This card has the inherent potential to synergize with spells or abilities that favor high-power creatures or Giants. Its inclusion can lead to powerful interactions, particularly in decks built around tribal bonuses or power-based mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, Tor Giant can be particularly effective. Its capability to dominate the battlefield can be integral in games where board presence equates to success, making it a wise choice for certain competitive environments.

How to beat

The Tor Giant is among the more challenging creatures you might encounter in a Magic: The Gathering match. With its formidable stats and abilities, overcoming it requires strategic foresight. One approach is to make use of removal spells that can bypass its likely protection abilities. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are effective, as they can target and eliminate the Tor Giant with minimal fuss. You may also consider utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which clear the entire battlefield of creatures and, if timed right, can deal with the Tor Giant regardless of its size.

Controlling the battlefield is another strategy. Cards that restrict the ability to attack or block, like Pacifism or Claustrophobia, can effectively neutralize the threat posed by the Tor Giant without having to remove it from the field. Additionally, reducing the Tor Giant’s power and toughness with debuff spells or employing creatures that can block it indefinitely are viable tactics to stall your opponent’s advance.

Ultimately, the key to besting a Tor Giant lies in preparation and the tactical deployment of resources. Each game presents different challenges and it’s essential to adapt your strategy to the tools at your disposal. With the right combination of foresight and card selection, even the mightiest giants can fall.

Cards like Tor Giant

Tor Giant stands tall among the roster of powerful creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its sheer size reminds one of the iconic Hill Giant, a classic four-mana 3/3 that has been around since the game’s inception. Tor Giant, however, edges out with enhanced power, proving to be a more formidable force on the battlefield.

Looking at comparable creatures, we find the Rumbling Baloth, a behemoth that carries the same mana cost as Tor Giant but offers a different blend of stats with a 4/4 body. Although Rumbling Baloth lacks the trample ability, it compensates for this with a solid stat line. Another similar card, the Ghor-Clan Rampager, delivers not only a 4/4 body for four mana but also trample and bloodrush, providing additional utility and the potential for surprise combat tricks.

In essence, while evaluating Tor Giant alongside its counterparts, it’s evident that it brings a commendable balance of cost and power to the table. The potential of trample makes it a valuable asset for players seeking to break through defensive lines and deal substantial damage in their MTG games.

Cards similar to Tor Giant by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Rocket-Powered Turbo Slug - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tor Giant MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Tor Giant and other MTG cards: