Bonebreaker Giant MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Giant
Released	2011-07-15
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2012
Set code	M12
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	123
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Bonebreaker Giant can lead to resource depletion, yet its power often warrants the cost.
With specific mana needs, it fits best in decks that are red mana-focused.
Despite competition, it remains a representation of MTG’s evolving creature power.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Bonebreaker Giant doesn’t directly offer card draw mechanics, its formidable size on the field can pressure opponents into unfavorable trades, effectively diminishing their resources while you maintain board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Bonebreaker Giant isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration. However, its stature in a deck that optimizes the ramp could allow you to leverage early game mana boosts to get this substantial creature on the board ahead of schedule, putting the pressure on your adversary.

Instant Speed: This card’s primary strength isn’t related to instant speed interaction. Nevertheless, Bonebreaker Giant’s sheer force complements decks that rely on quick spells for protection or removal, assuring that once your Giant is in play, it can remain an assertive battlefield contender backed by your instant responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bonebreaker Giant stands out as a creature that could exert significant pressure on your hand, specifically if you are running low on cards. Including it in your deck means accepting the potential setback of depleting your own resources to fulfill its casting needs.

Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement for both generic and red mana to cast, Bonebreaker Giant may not effortlessly find a spot in multi-colored decks, particularly those that do not prioritize red mana. Consequently, its inclusion is often confined to decks where the mana base is naturally aligned with its cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a five-mana value, players might expect a significant impact upon casting a creature of this investment. However, there exist numerous alternatives within the same mana range that could offer either more substantial abilities or a more considerable board presence. This, paired with its vanilla stats, often relegates the giant to a lesser role in deck building, especially when optimized performance is the goal.

Reasons to Include Bonebreaker Giant in Your Collection

Versatility: Bonebreaker Giant’s straightforward power and toughness make it a solid inclusion for decks that demand a robust creature without complex mechanics. It thrives in environments that favor strength over subtlety.

Combo Potential: Although not inherently combo-oriented, Bonebreaker Giant can act as a reliable creature for strategies needing a consistent and potent threat on the board. It can synergize with equipment or spells that benefit from having a stout creature to attach to or interact with.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape fluctuates, a heavy hitter like Bonebreaker Giant may counter decks that don’t prioritize immediate board control. When smaller creatures rule the battlefield, having a sizeable creature can shift the tide in your favor.

How to beat

Bonebreaker Giant steps into the MTG arena as a straightforward power player. With its sizable stature on the battlefield, it can seem like a daunting force to contend with. Yet, its simplicity offers clues to dispatching it strategically. The key is to not let its formidable physique intimidate you. Instead, focus on its lack of evasive abilities; it can be easily chump blocked or targeted with removal spells. Spot removal cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can promptly take care of this towering threat.

Control decks that handle creatures en masse also have the upper hand against the Giant. Sweepers like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the board, wiping away the Giant’s advantage with ease. Likewise, employing creatures with deathtouch such as Typhoid Rats can deter the Giant, making a head-to-head collision lethal regardless of the Giant’s power. Consider too the use of tempo cards. Bouncing the Giant back to the hand with a card like Unsummon can be an efficient way to mitigate its impact while you build your own board presence.

While formidable in its own right, Bonebreaker Giant isn’t insurmountable. A little ingenuity and the right tactics can turn this tussle into a triumph for the savvy MTG player.

Cards like Bonebreaker Giant

The Bonebreaker Giant steps onto the battleground as a straightforward force in the Magic: The Gathering roster of creatures. It calls to mind the straightforward nature of cards like Hill Giant, both sharing a similar mana cost to power ratio. Where the Bonebreaker Giant stands with a 4/4 stature for five mana, Hill Giant offers a less impressive 3/3 for the same cost, reflecting the power creep in creature design over the years.

Looking at others, the famous Gray Ogre is yet another relative, though it falls short in terms of efficiency, presenting a mere 2/2 body for three mana. This showcases how over the course of the game’s history, players are getting more power for their mana. However, neither Hill Giant nor Gray Ogre carry abilities beyond their raw stats, much like our Giant.

In the context of evolution in card strength and play value, the Bonebreaker Giant exemplifies a solid, if not basic, creature card that is overshadowed by flashier, ability-laden giants in the modern era yet remains a testament to the game’s classic design philosophy.

Cards similar to Bonebreaker Giant by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bonebreaker Giant MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012, 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 Bonebreaker Giant and other MTG cards: