Loafing Giant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Giant |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 153 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt |
Text of card
Whenever Loafing Giant attacks or blocks, put the top card of your library into your graveyard. If that card is a land card, prevent all combat damage that Loafing Giant would deal this turn.
"Forget it. I'm not getting up today."
Cards like Loafing Giant
Loafing Giant is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with cards like Boldwyr Intimidator which also carry the Giant subtype and have the potential to dominate the battlefield. What sets Loafing Giant apart is its intriguing conditional triggered ability that revolves around land cards on the top of your deck to potentially deal damage to opponents.
Similarly, Borderland Behemoth takes advantage of the presence of other Giants to boost its power. Though it lacks the direct damage ability of Loafing Giant, it can become immensely powerful on a board populated with Giants. Meanwhile, Sunrise Sovereign is another notable Giant that buffs your other Giants and gives them trample, but it doesn’t utilize the deck’s top card mechanic that Loafing Giant does.
In essence, while other Giants like Boldwyr Intimidator, Borderland Behemoth, and Sunrise Sovereign contribute greatly to the battlefield’s dynamics, Loafing Giant offers an unusual approach within the archetype. Its dependency on deck composition makes it a notable card, particularly in decks designed to manipulate the top deck effectively.
Cards similar to Loafing Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When bringing Loafing Giant into play, it provides the strategic benefit of potentially discarding a land card from the top of your deck, which, depending on your strategy, can either thin the deck to increase your chances of drawing non-land cards or work synergistically with land-recursion mechanics.
Resource Acceleration: Capitalizing on other cards that turn land cards in your graveyard into an asset, Loafing Giant can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by populating your graveyard with lands that can be leveraged by various graveyard-to-play abilities or spells.
Instant Speed Interaction: Given its activated ability that can be used as an instant, Loafing Giant empowers players to take action during an opponent’s turn. This capacity to deal damage contingent on revealing a land card adds a level of unpredictability and tactical advantage, as opponents must consider the potential for an instant-speed response.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Loafing Giant’s activation necessitates discarding a card from your hand, potentially draining your resources and leaving you at a disadvantage during the game, especially if your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement of at least one red mana, Loafing Giant’s casting cost could pose a deck-building restriction, rendering it less versatile and more challenging to cast in multicolored decks that do not focus on red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a card that requires a relatively large investment of mana, Loafing Giant may not be the most mana-efficient choice, especially when compared to other options within the same mana range that may provide more immediate or impactful benefits to the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Loafing Giant’s unique mechanic, which deals damage based on the number of lands a player controls, allows it to adapt to various deck builds, particularly those aiming to ramp up their land count. This attribute makes it an intriguing choice for red deck enthusiasts who enjoy a distinctive twist on dealing damage.
Combo Potential: This towering creature synergizes well with cards that manipulate land counts or untap lands, providing ample opportunities to maximize the amount of damage it deals each turn. Its combo potential is a tempting challenge for players who like to explore interactions that could turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where opponents may favor strategies that accumulate a substantial number of lands, Loafing Giant becomes a noteworthy inclusion. Its ability to punish such strategies can shift the dynamics of play and give you an unexpected edge, making it a valuable asset for your collection.
How to beat
Loafing Giant can pose a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its conditional awakening mechanic. Essentially, this large creature from the MTG universe remains dormant unless a player draws two or more cards. Recognizing this, one strategy to undermine the Giant’s potential is by limiting card draw opportunities for your opponent. Utilizing cards that restrict hand size or impede card drawing abilities can be effective in keeping the Giant in a slumberous state.
Moreover, since the Giant’s activation is tied to card draws, cards like Narset, Parter of Veils, which cap the number of cards an opponent can draw, emerge as valuable tools. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal spells when the Giant activates offers a window to eliminate the threat before it starts trampling over your defenses. Counterspells, specifically those that target triggered abilities, also serve as a tactical response. Overall, by strategically managing your opponent’s card flow and being ready with removal or counters, the Giant becomes far less intimidating.
Lastly, it’s worth considering the metagame and if sideboard options or main deck inclusions can fortify your position against such creatures. Efficient, versatile answers ensure that even the mightiest of dormant giants can be addressed without disrupting your overall game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Loafing Giant MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Loafing 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Loafing Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Loafing Giant 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 | If it somehow blocks multiple creatures in a single combat, the triggered ability only triggers once. |