Jaws of Stone MTG Card
2008-05-02 - Number 97
2011-04-01 - Number 77
2012-03-30 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Jaws of Stone deals X damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or players, where X is the number of Mountains you control as you play Jaws of Stone.
When giants find their mountain homes infested, they have a whole range of solutions.
Cards like Jaws of Stone
Jaws of Stone is a notable entry in the roster of red damage spells in MTG. It shares its space with other impactful cards like Rolling Thunder, another potent card that allows players to distribute damage across multiple targets. Both operate on a similar X cost mechanism that scales with the amount of mana invested. Unlike Rolling Thunder, Jaws of Stone’s damage output is closely tied to the number of mountains you control, making it especially powerful in mono-red or mountain-heavy decks.
Earthquake is another relative in this category, inflicting damage to each creature without flying and each player. While Earthquake offers a broad-sweeping effect at a single casting cost, Jaws of Stone’s targeted approach allows for strategic eliminations. Apart from that, Comet Storm stands out for its flexibility, being an instant with the Multikicker feature, enabling it to target multiple creatures or players at any time, at the cost of additional mana per target. Nevertheless, Jaws of Stone is unrivalled in scenarios where mountain lands are abundant, potentially delivering a one-sided board wipe.
Analyzing these comparisons, Jaws of Stone shines as a uniquely potent spell in red’s arsenal within MTG, particularly for players seeking to leverage a land-rich board state to their advantage.
Cards similar to Jaws of Stone by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jaws of Stone’s power scales with the number of mountains you control, allowing you to deal substantial damage across multiple targets. This scalability provides a significant advantage, especially in the later stages of the game when more lands are in play.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, playing Jaws of Stone in a deck well-suited for generating numerous mountains can expedite your ability to eliminate threats or pressure opponents, effectively accelerating your position to a winning state.
Instant Speed: Although Jaws of Stone operates at sorcery speed, its devastating potential damage output does not necessarily require the reactionary nature of an instant. Its impact on the board state can often compensate for the lack of instantaneity, clearing the way for a conclusive strike.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Jaws of Stone doesn’t demand you to discard as a cost, it does require holding on to a card until the right moment. This can be problematic as it may clog your hand, especially if the game drags on and you need to maintain card flow.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s specific mana cost requires you to have a heavy commitment to red mana sources in your deck. If you’re running a multicolored deck, this might make Jaws of Stone difficult to cast at the optimal time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Jaws of Stone’s mana cost is considered high for its damage output. As you need to spend six mana, including five red, it might not be as efficient in a fast-paced game where quicker, lower-cost spells could be more beneficial.
Reasons to Include Jaws of Stone in Your Collection
Versatility: Jaws of Stone is a dynamic addition to any collection due to its scaling damage potential. It can fit comfortably into decks that focus on controlling the board or operating with numerous mountains, thus benefiting from their presence.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to deal damage divided as you choose among any number of targets allows for strategic elimination of key creatures or even direct damage to players, making it a powerful combo piece in decks built around direct damage and burn strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the MTG meta, Jaws of Stone can be particularly effective in environments where creature-heavy decks prevail, ensuring its relevance and usefulness in various competitive scenarios.
How to beat
Jaws of Stone is an intriguing red sorcery card that can deal devastating damage based on the number of mountains you control. To thwart this powerful spell, it’s crucial to manage the number of mountains an opponent has in play. Land destruction or land control strategies can be particularly effective. Cards like Rain of Tears or Field of Ruin can disrupt their mana base, reducing the impact of Jaws of Stone.
Countermeasures against direct damage spells are also vital. Counterspells are of course a transparent choice, blessing you with the ability to negate Jaws of Stone entirely. Cards such as Negate or Counterspell can prevent it from ever resolving. In formats where red is rampant and direct damage spells are a mainstay, consider running Life Gain strategies. Lifegain can offset the damage dealt by Jaws of Stone, making it less of a game-ender and more of a nuisance.
In the chess-like sequence of counters that defines a good game of Magic, it’s not just about having the right cards, but knowing when to play them. Careful observation, strategic resource management, and timed reactions can turn a potential loss from a card like Jaws of Stone into a triumphant victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jaws of Stone MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, 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 Jaws of Stone 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
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Printings
The Jaws of Stone Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2012-03-30. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 97 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 3 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 72 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Jaws of Stone has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jaws of Stone card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-05-01 | If you control no Mountains as you cast Jaws of Stone, the number of targets must be zero. |
| 2008-05-01 | The amount of damage is locked in as you cast Jaws of Stone. It won’t change, even if the number of Mountains you control changes. |
| 2008-05-01 | You divide the damage among the targets as you cast Jaws of Stone. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. |