Magma Giant MTG Card

Magma Giant secures card advantage by potentially eliminating multiple threats with a single play. A strategic asset, the Giant streamlines your plays, indirectly accelerating resource management. It shapes gameplay akin to instant speed interactions, controlling game pace effectively.

Portal Second Age (P02)
1998-06-24 - Number 108

Fifth Dawn (5DN)
2004-06-04 - Number 72

Commander 2015 (C15)
2015-11-13 - Number 161

Magma Giant - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
2018-06-08 - Number 111

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Giant
Power	5
Toughness	5

Text of card

When Magma Giant comes into play from your hand, it deals 2 damage to each creature and player. (This includes you and your creatures, including Magma Giant.)

Cards like Magma Giant

Magma Giant commands attention as a powerful force in Magic: The Gathering’s roster of creatures. Standing tall among its kin, it mirrors the devastating impact of cards like Flame Wave, also capable of clearing multiple targets with one swift move. Flame Wave, albeit restricted to creatures only, lacks the Magma Giant’s ability to damage players as well. This broader scope of destruction establishes Magma Giant as a versatile threat.

Conversely, Earthquake offers a similar widespread damage effect at a cost that’s adjustable to the player’s mana availability. Unlike Magma Giant, Earthquake’s reach extends to all creatures and players, not excluding the caster, demanding strategic planning to avoid self-harm. Moreover, while Magma Giant’s presence can deter opponents merely by entering the battlefield, Earthquake’s one-time shockwave lacks the persistent board presence of a creature.

Finally, assessing Magma Giant in the company of spells and creatures with area damage, its mixture of immediate impact and considerable presence places it in a unique spot. It’s a valuable asset for players looking to balance the benefits of direct and creature-based damage within their Magic: The Gathering decks.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Magma Giant enters the battlefield, it deals damage to each creature your opponent controls, potentially wiping out multiple threats at once. This can lead to a massive shift in card advantage, as you could eliminate several of your opponent’s cards with just one of yours.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana resources, Magma Giant’s ability to clear the board can save the resources you might otherwise spend on multiple spells to deal with individual creatures. This economy of actions can indirectly translate to resource acceleration as you are able to develop your board without worry of immediate threats.

Instant Speed: Although Magma Giant itself doesn’t have instant speed, the impact it has on the game can be equivalent to instant speed interaction. By preemptively clearing opponents’ creatures, you control the pace and flow of the game, much like you would with an instant speed spell during your opponent’s turn. It changes the dynamics and forces your opponent to play around it, akin to the threat of an instant speed removal in your hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of casting Magma Giant is the potential need to discard cards to fulfill certain conditions or through card interactions. This can be a setback if your hand is already scarce, forcing you to lose additional resources you may have been counting on for subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Although Magma Giant can be a powerhouse in the right setting, its specific mana cost necessitates a focus on red mana within your deck. This requirement can restrict its inclusion to mainly mono-red or red-heavy multicolor decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required to bring Magma Giant into play is significant. With a substantial portion of your mana pool devoted to summoning the creature, it might leave you at a strategic disadvantage against opponents who can field more threats or responses with the same or fewer resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magma Giant is a formidable addition to a variety of red decks due to its ability to impact the board as soon as it enters the battlefield. Its splash damage to creatures and players alike makes it a flexible card suitable for aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks that capitalize on spell damage bonuses or those that can bring it back from the graveyard for recurring effects. The possibility of triggering enrage abilities on your own creatures makes it a unique engine for combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where swarming strategies are prevalent, Magma Giant’s ability to wipe out multiple creatures at once makes it a critical answer to such threats. As the meta shifts, this card remains a handy tool against creature-heavy decks, securing its place in a competitive collection.

How to beat

The Magma Giant card presents a colossal challenge on the battlefield, but it’s not insurmountable. Its strength lies in the immediate impact it has when entering the battlefield, dealing damage to each creature and each player which can quickly turn the tides of a game. However, its high mana cost gives you time to establish your own board presence and defenses. Consider using counter spells to prevent the Magma Giant from ever setting foot on the battlefield.

Moreover, cards that offer protection from red can nullify the damage it causes. Decks with abundant removal spells or sacrifice effects can handle the giant effectively, making it less of a threat. Remember, timing is key; keeping mana open to react to its casting can make all the difference between a win or a wipeout. Play smart, and this fiery foe can be extinguished with the right strategy.

Ultimately, facing the Magma Giant requires foresight and a cool-headed approach. Be prepared, adapt to the situation, and this towering menace can be reduced to ashes in your conquest of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magma Giant MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Fifth Dawn, 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 Magma Giant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magma Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-06-24	Portal Second Age	P02	108	1997	Normal	Black	Michael Weaver
2	2004-06-04	Fifth Dawn	5DN	72	2003	Normal	Black	Nottsuo
3	2015-11-13	Commander 2015	C15	161	2015	Normal	Black	Nottsuo
4	2018-06-08	Commander Anthology Volume II	CM2	111	2015	Normal	Black	Nottsuo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magma Giant has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal