Laccolith Titan MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 7 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Beast |
Released | 2000-02-14 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Nemesis |
Set code | NEM |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 6 |
Number | 89 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Tony Szczudlo |
Text of card
Whenever Laccolith Titan becomes blocked, you may have it deal damage equal to its power to target creature. If you do, Laccolith Titan deals no combat damage this turn.
Proximity guarantees injury or death.
Cards like Laccolith Titan
Laccolith Titan offers a unique challenge to Magic: The Gathering players who appreciate the nuances of creature-based strategies. Contemporary to the Nemesis collection, Laccolith Titan has a distinctive feature: when it becomes blocked, you may have it deal damage equal to its power to target creature. This mirrors the functionality of Inferno Titan, which also allows you to allocate damage upon entering the battlefield or when attacking. However, Laccolith Titan requires blockage to trigger its ability, making it less versatile in terms of immediate board impact compared to Inferno Titan’s flexible damage distribution.
Another counterpart worth mentioning is Thorn Elemental. Like Laccolith Titan, Thorn Elemental presents a quandary to the defender due to its ability to assign combat damage as though it weren’t blocked. Though Thorn Elemental doesn’t require a bouncer to exercise its power, it doesn’t offer the tactical advantage of removing a potential blocker the way Laccolith Titan can. Additionally, compared to these creatures, Laccolith Titan’s ability hinges on your tactical play style, necessitating a more calculated approach to combat.
Gauging these similar heavy-hitters in MTG, Laccolith Titan continues to intrigue with its conditional prowess, presenting an avenue for players to exploit strategic blockers and sculpt the battlefield to their favor.
Cards similar to Laccolith Titan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Laccolith Titan provides an edge by threatening to remove key creatures from your opponent’s board whenever it becomes blocked. This can dissuade opponents from blocking altogether, essentially giving you a form of repeatable creature control without losing card resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Laccolith Titan itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its substantial power makes it an excellent candidate for synergies with cards that convert creature strength into additional resources, like “Greater Good” for card draw or “Ashnod’s Altar” for mana production.
Instant Speed: Though the Laccolith Titan doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, it can significantly impact the board the moment you declare it as an attacker, forcing opponents to make tough decisions on the spot without the leisure of planning against sorcery-speed threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures you might play, Laccolith Titan requires you to discard a card whenever it becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls. This can put you at a disadvantage in the late game when card resources are scarce and every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: With its emphasis on red mana—the creature costs four red mana plus two of any other color—it’s clear that Laccolith Titan is designed for mono-red or heavily red-weighted decks. This specific mana requirement can restrict its inclusion in multicolor decks that might not generate enough red mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total of six mana required to play Laccolith Titan, its cost is on the high side, especially when considering other creatures in its mana range. For six mana, some players may expect more immediate impact on the game state or additional abilities that offer versatility, not just the potential to deal damage upon being targeted.
Reasons to Include Laccolith Titan in Your Collection
Versatility: Laccolith Titan brings a dynamic presence to the battlefield with its ability to dominate combat. As a formidable 6/6 creature, it can act as a strong defensive wall or an aggressive force in various deck builds.
Combo Potential: With its unique trigger that deals damage equal to its power to a target upon being blocked, Laccolith Titan synergizes with effects that increase its power, doubling as a direct-damage dealer in clever deck combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, having Laccolith Titan can create favorable board states, forcing opponents to choose between taking significant damage or losing valuable creatures. Its presence can shift the tides of creature combat in your favor.
How to beat
Laccolith Titan is a unique creature that poses a hefty challenge on the battlefield in Magic the Gathering. With the power to redirect damage when blocked, it can disrupt strategic plans. To counter this formidable card, consider using removal spells that don’t rely on dealing damage, such as “Path to Exile” or “Swords to Plowshares.” These can exile Laccolith Titan before it becomes a threat. If you prefer to keep your opponent’s graveyard in check, cards like “Silence the Believers” or “Seal Away” can remove it from combat without triggering its daunting ability.
Additionally, preventing it from attacking is crucial. Enchantments like “Pacifism” or “Arrest” can neutralize Laccolith Titan without having to engage it in combat. You can also take advantage of its steep mana cost by using land disruption strategies to limit your opponent’s resources, making it harder for them to cast the Titan in the first place. Ultimately, the key to defeating Laccolith Titan lies in smart deck building and timing your spells and abilities effectively to mitigate its impact on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Laccolith Titan MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Laccolith Titan 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 Laccolith Titan has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Laccolith Titan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | It can target any creature on the battlefield, not just one of the ones blocking it. |
2004-10-04 | The ability allows you to deal damage during the declare blockers step of combat, which is well before even first strike creatures deal damage. |
2004-10-04 | The ability is optional. You can decide to allow it to deal combat damage as normal. |
2004-10-04 | The ability triggers even if a spell or ability makes it blocked, instead of being blocked by a creature. |