Cyclopean Titan MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 40
2021-08-20 - Number 40
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Giant |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Cyclopean Titan excels at disrupting rival strategies by rearranging both player’s top library cards.
- Sacrificial mechanics offer synergy with graveyard-based decks, enhancing resource acceleration.
- High casting cost can be offset by its ability to impact the game from the battlefield or graveyard.
Text of card
When CARDNAME dies, two target lands become Swamps. Exile CARDNAME. , : Tap target creature, then return CARDNAME to its owner's hand.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cyclopean Titan offers a unique twist on card advantage. Upon entering the battlefield or being put into a graveyard from play, it can significantly rearrange the top cards of a player’s library—a tactic that can disrupt an opponent’s upcoming draws or enhance your own.
Resource Acceleration: While this behemoth doesn’t directly ramp your mana, it imposes a kind of resource acceleration through its massive board presence. Its ability to sacrifice a creature and subsequently force each player to put the top two cards of their library into their graveyard can indirectly benefit graveyard-based strategies, accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Although Cyclopean Titan doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it squares off well against instant speed removal. This is due to its impactful abilities triggering not only when it enters the battlefield but also if it finds its way to the graveyard, making it a persistent threat that can affect the game state even when dealt with promptly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cyclopean Titan demands a substantial sacrifice as you must discard two cards to unleash its might. This heavy toll can leave players at a disadvantage, particularly in the nail-biting late game where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This formidable giant comes with a stringent casting cost, demanding a precise combination of mana types that might not synergize with a player’s deck strategy. Juggling your mana base to accommodate the Cyclopean Titan could potentially stifle the overall flow of your deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Engaging the Cyclopean Titan’s services doesn’t come cheap. With a casting cost that towers at eight mana, players may find that by the time they can afford this leviathan, the tides of battle have already turned, or alternative, more cost-effective creatures could have swung the momentum in their favor.
Reasons to Include Cyclopean Titan in Your Collection
Versatility: Cyclopean Titan shines in decks that thrive on graveyard manipulation and creature sacrifice strategies. Its ability to alter the battlefield upon dying makes it an asset in multiple situations.
Combo Potential: This Titan can be a key component in combos that involve reanimating creatures or utilizing death triggers for strategic advantages, amplifying both power and tactical options.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where big creatures and graveyard synergies are prevalent, Cyclopean Titan’s mass graveyard exile effect could be a game-changer, disrupting opponents’ strategies while developing your own board presence.
How to beat Cyclopean Titan
Confronting the Cyclopean Titan in MTG is a challenge akin to facing down a formidable fortress. Its unique ability to decimate two cards from a graveyard upon dying, and doling out a -1/-1 counter distribution, makes it a juggernaut that needs strategic dismantling. To gain an upper hand, prioritize removal spells that bypass its death-trigger, such as exile effects or cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. These spells ensure the giant’s departure without activating its looming graveyard interaction.
Relying on indirect strategies like graveyard hate through cards like Leyline of the Void can also neutralize the Titan’s impact, safeguarding your creatures from its debuff. It’s essential to manage your resources and creature board to minimize the collateral should it fall. In short, swift, precise actions and a keen understanding of graveyard manipulation are key to outmaneuvering the Cyclopean Titan and maintaining dominance on the battlefield.
Cards like Cyclopean Titan
The Cyclopean Titan card stands out in MTG as a notable figure among black creature cards. When you draw a comparison to other formidable undead giants like Phyrexian Juggernaut, the Titan’s imposing presence is evident. Although both invoke fear with their immense power, the Cyclopean Titan brings a unique twist—upon dying, it siphons life from the opponent while weakening their forces. The Juggernaut lacks this potent exit strategy.
Equally relevant is Desecration Elemental, a creature that demands sacrifice for its upkeep. While it boasts a formidably lower mana cost than our Titan, it doesn’t impact the board as profoundly on its departure. The Cyclopean Titan excels here, with its ability to alter the game posthumously. Then there’s the sheer mass of Nighthowler, which grows with graveyards’ content but lacks the direct board influence inherent to the Cyclopean Titan.
Inferring from these comparisons, the Cyclopean Titan can be seen as a strategic choice for players who want their cards to continue affecting the game even after being dealt with. Its ability to deliver a parting blow sets it a cut above the rest in scenarios where lasting impact is key.
Cards similar to Cyclopean Titan by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cyclopean Titan MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Cyclopean Titan and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Cyclopean Titan Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Matt Smith.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Smith | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Smith |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cyclopean Titan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | If a land becomes a basic land type (such as Swamp) but not “in addition to its other types,” it loses all other land types it has and all abilities from its rules text and it has “: Add .” |
| 2019-11-12 | If both target lands become illegal targets, Cyclopean Titan’s triggered ability won’t resolve. It will remain in your graveyard. |
