Mammoth Spider MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 171
2019-01-25 - Number 132
2019-07-12 - Number 181
2022-12-02 - Number 687
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spider |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Reach
Most spiders of Llanowar disdain elvish alliances. No elf has as many beautiful eyes or as many strong arms.
Cards like Mammoth Spider
The Mammoth Spider card is a noteworthy creature among green creatures in MTG, known for its formidable defense. It sits comfortably in a deck with fellow creatures like Giant Spider. Both have the reach ability, allowing them to block flying creatures, which is key for maintaining aerial control. Giant Spider, though, has slightly lower defense stats but can still pose as a similar wall against flying threats.
Other creatures that share a resemblance include Netcaster Spider and Canopy Spider. Netcaster Spider boasts a particular combat advantage, getting a power boost when it blocks creatures with flying. Canopy Spider, meanwhile, offers a smaller form of aerial defense with lower mana costs, thus allowing earlier deployment on the battlefield. This quick availability can be crucial in certain strategic plays.
In evaluating these green defenders, Mammoth Spider emerges as a solid choice for players aiming to lock down the skies with a sturdy creature. Its balance of cost and power makes it an essential component for green decks focused on creating formidable defensive barriers against creatures of the air.
Cards similar to Mammoth Spider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mammoth Spider’s relevancy endures across multiple turns due to its formidable 3/5 stats, making it an excellent defensive asset for maintaining board presence and deterring aerial attacks.
Resource Acceleration: Though the Mammoth Spider doesn’t directly generate resources, its sheer size for a modest mana cost helps stabilize the board, allowing you to invest your resources into other areas of play more freely.
Instant Speed: While Mammoth Spider is not an instant itself, it effectively combats creatures that are played at instant speed, ensuring you maintain parity against such threats and acting as a reliable safeguard during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Mammoth Spider comes with a specific casting cost that requires both green mana and generic mana, which might restrict its inclusion to certain green-based decks, limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of five, the Mammoth Spider can feel quite heavy on the mana curve, especially considering that there are other creatures at a similar or lower cost that might offer more impactful abilities or stats.
Discard Requirement: Although Mammoth Spider does not have a discard requirement, it’s important to carefully consider the cost-to-benefit ratio of including it in your deck, especially if it means discarding other potentially valuable cards to make room for it in your limited deck space.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mammoth Spider’s broad reach ability allows it to block a wide range of flying creatures, making it a solid defensive addition to green decks that struggle against airborne threats.
Combo Potential: With its significant toughness, the Mammoth Spider can be a key part of defensive combos, effectively holding the fort while you set up for your game-winning moves.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where flyers are prevalent, having a cost-effective creature like Mammoth Spider ensures you maintain board presence against decks that rely heavily on flying creatures.
How to beat
Mammoth Spider is a staple green creature in Magic: The Gathering that towers over the battlefield with its significant reach capability. The spider provides a sturdy defense against flying creatures, which can often be a formidable roadblock for players. Unlike other reach creatures that might be easier to remove, Mammoth Spider boasts a hefty five toughness, making it a resilient defender that can survive attacks from most common flyers.
To outplay this arachnid, ideal strategies usually entail bypassing its defensive prowess. Spells that specifically destroy or exile it regardless of toughness are effective, such as Murder or Cast Out. Combat tricks that reduce the defense of a creature, like Luminous Bonds, can also be an efficient solution. Alternatively, cards that offer unblockable damage capabilities or can tap without fighting, bypass the spider’s reach altogether, allowing you to swing the game momentum in your favor.
When drafted astutely into your game plan, these methods can help you prevail against a card like Mammoth Spider. It’s about understanding the strength of your opponent’s defenses and responding with precise, calculated moves to secure your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mammoth Spider MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Mammoth Spider 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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Printings
The Mammoth Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 171 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 2 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 132 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jehan Choo | |
| 3 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 687 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mammoth Spider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |