Larger Than Life MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 160
2019-11-07 - Number 1256
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-160
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Key Takeaways
- It offers a substantial +4/+4 boost, synergizing well with spellcasting triggers.
- Despite its sorcery speed, the impactful effect of the card demands immediate answers.
- Though powerful, its discard requirement and mana specificity are notable downsides.
Text of card
Target creature gets +4/+4 and gains trample until end of turn.
"They say Head Judge Tezzeret will be reviewing every invention at the Fair. I made sure to build something that will stand out." —Jehvani, Vahadar artificer
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Larger Than Life not only beefs up a single creature significantly, making it a potential game-changer, but in some decks, it can also synergize with abilities that trigger upon casting spells, effectively giving you more value and presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: With its affordable mana cost and the substantial +4/+4 boost it provides, Larger Than Life can expedite victory, effectively accelerating your win condition. This can tilt resource management in your favor as you apply more pressure per turn with your enhanced creature.
Instant Speed: Though Larger Than Life is a sorcery, its powerful effect compensates for the lack of instant speed, demanding an immediate answer from your opponent and potentially disrupting their plays for the next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Committing to the Larger Than Life spell means you need to have another card to discard, which might force you into tough decisions if your hand is already depleted. This trade-off can be especially challenging in the early game or in decks that don’t replenish their hand quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: Larger Than Life requires both generic and green mana to cast, which can sometimes be restrictive for multicolored decks that may struggle to generate the necessary green mana when needed. Decks focusing on a wide range of colors might find this mana requirement a bit too stringent for their mana base to consistently manage.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s in the mid-range, Larger Than Life can be a bit cumbersome given that it’s a single use spell. When you consider the mana investment versus the effect – a temporary boost to a single creature – you may find that there are other spells or creatures that could give you a more permanent and impactful presence on the battlefield for a similar cost.
Reasons to Include Larger Than Life in Your Collection
Versatility: Larger Than Life is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a plethora of green-based decks, providing a significant power boost and making any creature a substantial threat.
Combo Potential: This spell does wonders in synergizing with strategies that capitalize on temporary buffs, enabling explosive turns that could easily overrun the opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Larger Than Life offers the necessary firepower to quickly close games, giving it a solid place in the current competitive landscape.
How to beat
Larger Than Life is quite the contender in deck builds focusing on aggressive strategies, especially in Magic: The Gathering. This spell is a boon for creature-heavy decks looking to amplify their offensive force on the battlefield. By granting a significant power boost and trample to a creature, it can swiftly turn the tides in a match, pushing for substantial damage against opponents.
However, like all spells, it does have its vulnerabilities. Effective counterplay includes spot removal spells which can interrupt the sequence between casting Larger Than Life and reaching the combat phase. Removal options like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are cost-efficient ways of dealing with creatures before the buff takes effect. Control decks may find countermagic such as Negate or Essence Scatter to be reliable tools in sustaining a stable defense against such strategies. In essence, timely disruption and anticipating your opponent’s moves are critical in mitigating the impact of Larger Than Life. Always be ready to act before this spell can fulfill its namesake on the board.
In sum, while Larger Than Life certainly enhances creature capabilities, prompt response and strategic spell choice are key techniques for players looking to maintain control against this impactful buff in Magic: The Gathering matches.
Cards like Larger Than Life
Larger Than Life is a distinctive spell that bolsters creatures in Magic: The Gathering by providing a significant temporary power boost and the trample ability. Favorably compared to cards like Titanic Growth, which also grants a substantial bonus to a creature’s power and toughness, Larger Than Life offers trample, an ability that allows creatures to potentially deal damage through blockers—lending a tactical edge in combat situations.
Giant Growth is another well-known spell in this category, providing a slightly smaller bonus, but at a lower cost and with the flexibility of instant speed. While it doesn’t provide trample, the instant nature of Giant Growth allows for surprise plays during combat or in response to removal spells. However, the sheer power increase from Larger Than Life often sets it apart for those particularly aggressive strategies aiming for an overwhelming turn.
To sum up, Larger Than Life competes strongly among creature buff spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its higher power increase combined with the trample effect enables players to apply impressive pressure, tipping the scales during critical battle phases, despite being at sorcery speed. For players seeking to make a significant impact on the board, this card fits well within an aggressive deck’s strategy.
Cards similar to Larger Than Life by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Larger Than Life MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Mystery Booster, 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 Larger Than Life and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Larger Than Life Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 160 | 2015 | normal | black | Jaime Jones | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1256 | 2015 | normal | black | Jaime Jones | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KLD-160 | 2015 | normal | black | Jaime Jones |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Larger Than Life has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
