Stonehewer Giant Avatar MTG Card

Rarity	Rare
Type	Vanguard
Released	2003-01-01
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Online Avatars
Set code	PMOA
Number	77
Frame	2015
Layout	Vanguard
Border	Black
Illustred by	UDON

Key Takeaways

Deck thinning and improved draws are a boon due to the Giant’s equipment tutoring ability.
The Stonehewer Giant Avatar allows for resource-efficient plays by waiving equipment costs.
Strategic use of the avatar can open up mana for instant-speed responses in-game.

Text of card

Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of a random Equipment card with converted mana cost less than or equal to that creature's converted mana cost. Attach that Equipment to that creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When it comes to the Stonehewer Giant Avatar, card advantage is a significant perk. This avatar allows players to search for equipment cards and put them directly onto the battlefield attached to a creature you control. This effectively thins your deck, setting you up for more favorable draws in subsequent turns while equipping your creatures to become more formidable threats.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to attach equipment without paying its mana cost is a remarkable form of resource acceleration. Stonehewer Giant Avatar bypasses the need for mana investment to equip your creatures, thus freeing up your resources for other strategic plays on your turn. This can give you a significant tempo boost, enabling you to deploy threats and answers faster than your opponent.

Instant Speed: One of the standout features of Stonehewer Giant Avatar is its synergy with instant speed interactions. Though the avatar itself may not function at instant speed, it enables the use of equipment that has instant-speed capabilities, further enhancing your tactical flexibility. Additionally, by effectively using the Giant’s ability during your main phase, it keeps your mana open to respond to opponents’ threats during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Leveraging the capabilities of the Stonehewer Giant Avatar can be taxing as it necessitates discarding a card to exploit its full potential. This condition might leave players at a disadvantage, especially when playing with a diminished hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The Avatar demands a precise combination of mana to cast. This specific mana cost includes white, potentially restricting its integration into a diverse array of strategies that don’t primarily use white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that is deemed high relative to other options available, playing the Stonehewer Giant Avatar could hinder your tempo in the early stages of the game. Other creatures or spells might offer similar utility without the substantial mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stonehewer Giant offers an unparalleled ability to fetch any equipment card directly onto the battlefield, attaching it instantly to a creature of your choice. This makes it a dynamic addition to decks seeking to capitalize on powerful equipment synergies.

Combo Potential: The Giant’s ability can pair with numerous equipments to create devastating combinations. Whether you’re looking to set up a one-turn kill with a colossal armed creature or establish an impenetrable defense, the avatar’s tutoring capability is the linchpin to a multitude of powerful strategies.

Meta-Relevance: With equipment becoming an ever-more-present component in competitive decks, having access to a card that can seamlessly search for key pieces is invaluable. The Stonehewer Giant avatar sits well in a meta where you want to consistently outmaneuver opponents with efficient and effective plays.

How to beat

Overcoming Stonehewer Giant Avatar’s ability to dominate the battlefield requires strategic plays and thoughtful deck construction. Players often incorporate removal spells to disrupt the creature’s tactics, with options like Path to Exile and Murder being particularly effective at swiftly dispatching the giant before its equipment-altering ability can take effect. Artifact hate cards, such as Fragmentize or Shatterstorm, also prove invaluable when contending with decks that capitalize on equipment synergy, helping remove the tools that make Stonehewer Giant Avatar a formidable foe. Additionally, counterspells maintain a strong defense against equipment-based strategies, providing a distinct advantage for players who can anticipate and neutralize key plays.

Maintaining board control is essential, and players may employ the likes of Wrath of God or Damnation to reset the field, negating the buildup of buffs Stonehewer Giant Avatar aims to establish. Ultimately, the key to besting this mighty avatar lies in preemptive actions, resourceful card selection, and the consistent execution of control strategies to ensure that the Giant never fully leverages its potential.

Cards like Stonehewer Giant Avatar

The Stonehewer Giant avatar in the vast universe of MTG stands as a testament to strength and utility. It bears resemblance to equipment tutors like Stoneforge Mystic, famed for its ability to search for an equipment card and put it onto the battlefield. Yet, the giant surpasses in might, not only fetching an equipment card but also attaching it directly to a creature, an act Stoneforge Mystic can only achieve later for an additional cost.

Steelshaper’s Gift is another comparable card that searches for an equipment, but it simply adds the card to your hand, setting it behind in tempo when pitted against Stonehewer Giant Avatar’s immediate field impact. Conversely, Taj-Nar Swordsmith allows for direct equipment attachment similar to the Stonehewer Giant, but its capability is limited by the mana spent on casting, dictating the bounds of its search.

Considering the pace and dynamics of MTG gameplay, the swift and broad efficiency of Stonehewer Giant Avatar places it well within the top choices for players looking to leverage the synergy of creatures and equipment, ensuring its esteemed position in the echelons of such utility cards.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stonehewer Giant Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars, 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 Stonehewer Giant Avatar and other MTG cards: