Lairwatch Giant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Giant Warrior |
| Released | 2007-10-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Lorwyn |
| Set code | LRW |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Warren Mahy |
Text of card
Lairwatch Giant can block an additional creature. Whenever Lairwatch Giant blocks two or more creatures, it gains first strike until end of turn.
A giant can brood over a grudge for decades, and woe to those who interrupt him.
Cards like Lairwatch Giant
Lairwatch Giant is an intriguing creature within Magic: The Gathering, not unlike other Guardian-themed titans, offering both size and utility. When you compare it to fellow giants such as Cloudgoat Ranger, the Lairwatch Giant presents a unique board presence by virtue of its ability to block any number of flying creatures. While Cloudgoat Ranger offers more immediate board control by generating token creatures and the potential to temporarily boost its power, Lairwatch Giant excels in aerial defense.
Similarly, we can look at Sentinel Spider as a creature with a vigilant reach, a fairly common ability shared with Lairwatch Giant. Though the spider is smaller and costs less, Lairwatch Giant stands out with its ability to become a substantial blocker against numerous flying threats, making it a sturdy bulwark in your defense strategy. Comparatively, Crescendo of War, another card in a different category, escalates combat’s intensity and can affect gameplay on a grander scale, providing a contrast to the singular, defensive focus that Lairwatch Giant maintains.
Assessing each card’s attributes and roles within a deck, Lairwatch Giant holds its ground, especially in formats where flying creatures dominate. This makes it a valuable addition for players seeking a reliable defensive cornerstone to deter aerial onslaughts.
Cards similar to Lairwatch Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lairwatch Giant shines in terms of card advantage as it has the potential to control multiple threats on the battlefield. This powerhouse addresses numerous enemy creatures, making sure you’re not overwhelmed and keeping your hand filled with useful options.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration in the traditional sense of producing mana or treasure tokens. However, by maintaining board control and enabling better use of the resources you have, you can think ahead and manage your resources more effectively in the long term.
Instant Speed: While Lairwatch Giant operates at sorcery speed, the instant speed of the spells and abilities it can synergy with should not be underestimated. Teaming it up with instant-speed tricks can catch opponents off guard and turn the tide of battle in your favor, maximizing both its presence and impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lairwatch Giant necessitates discarding a creature card to trigger its ability, which could deplete your hand and be counterproductive in decks that don’t capitalize on graveyard strategies or card recursion.
Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement of both green and white mana, Lairwatch Giant can be challenging to cast in a multi-colored deck, making it less versatile compared to other cards with more generic mana costs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined mana cost of six, this giant may hit the battlefield later than other creatures in its mana range. Given the fast pace of many games, the cost may hinder your battlefield presence in the earlier rounds where board development is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lairwatch Giant offers utility in several deck builds as it functions both as a sturdy defender and offensive threat. Its ability to block multiple flying creatures makes it a solid inclusion in decks preparing to face airborne strategies.
Combo Potential: This Giant offers synergies with cards that appreciate tribal themes, particularly those that empower Giants or require multi-creature blocking tactics. Its inherent trait to deal damage to flying creatures also pairs well with strategies that manipulate combat outcomes.
Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting dynamics of formats like Commander, Lairwatch Giant maintains its importance, effectively checking numerous popular flying creatures. In a meta dominated by evasive threats, having a card that can serve as a countermeasure to such strategies can significantly improve your deck’s resilience.
How to beat
Lairwatch Giant is a unique sentinel on the battlefield that can be a real obstacle for players in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to block any number of flying creatures makes it a formidable guardian against aerial attacks. To overcome this giant, one needs to strategize past its defensive capabilities.
Effective tactics include using removal spells that can bypass its ability, such as Murder or Path to Exile, which can exile the giant straight from the battlefield. Another approach is to engage with the giant on the ground. Since its ability is only effective against flying creatures, ground attackers can pressure the opponent without the fear of being blocked by this vigilant giant. Additionally, employing spells that force the giant to tap or ones that prevent it from blocking at all, such as Sleep or Encase in Ice, will leave the skies clear for your winged warriors.
By incorporating these strategies into your game plan, Lairwatch Giant’s impressive ability becomes less of a deterrent and more of another obstacle to outmaneuver, keeping you in control of the aerial battlefield and paving your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lairwatch Giant MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Lairwatch Giant 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lairwatch Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lairwatch Giant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-10-01 | Lairwatch Giant’s second ability triggers if it blocks at least two creatures when blockers are declared. It will also trigger if it blocks fewer than two creatures when blockers are declared and effects then cause it to block more creatures. However, if Lairwatch Giant is already blocking two or more creatures, and effects then cause it to block more creatures, the ability won’t trigger again. |