Laccolith Grunt MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Released | 2000-02-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Nemesis |
| Set code | NEM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 87 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Arnie Swekel |
Key Takeaways
- Laccolith Grunt can shift combat dynamics favorably without directly drawing cards or accelerating mana.
- Its instant speed ability provides flexibility, influencing opponents’ decisions during the combat phase.
- Downsides include a specific mana need and potential overcost for a 2/2 creature stats comparison.
Text of card
Whenever Laccolith Grunt becomes blocked, you may have it deal damage equal to its power to target creature. If you do, Laccolith Grunt deals no combat damage this turn.
They leave a trail of ash and sorrow.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Laccolith Grunt offers a unique tactical edge. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, its ability to potentially eliminate an opponent’s creature during the blocking phase can tip the scales in your favor, indirectly contributing to a card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Laccolith Grunt does not provide direct mana acceleration, effective use of this unit can help streamline your battlefield presence, paving the way for more formidable plays and thus accelerating your overall resource impact in the game.
Instant Speed: With the ability to use the Laccolith Grunt’s power-boosting effect at instant speed, you maintain flexibility during combat. This can force opponents to second-guess their attacks or blocks, potentially leading to advantageous board states on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Laccolith Grunt’s discard requirement can pose a drawback, specifically when you need to maintain a robust hand size to fend off opponents or activate other abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a particular mana combination to cast. As it cost includes both generic and a red mana, it restricts the card’s inclusion to decks that can consistently produce these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 creature, Laccolith Grunt can be outmatched by other creatures that provide greater impact or versatility on the battlefield for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Laccolith Grunt in Your Collection
Versatility: Laccolith Grunt presents a flexible role in many red-focused decks. Its ability to function both offensively and defensively allows it to adapt to a variety of board states, shifting the dynamics of combat in your favor.
Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that manipulate or benefit from creature tapping and untapping, this Grunt can become a recurring source of tactical advantage. Its tap ability can be synergized with numerous combos across your deck’s strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature combat is critical, Laccolith Grunt stands as a solid pick. Its ability to exert control over blockers and attackers can make it a strategically relevant inclusion in your arsenal, potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans and swinging the tide of battle.
How to beat
Laccolith Grunt poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. This creature card finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering with a distinctive ability; it has the power to redirect damage to a creature of your choice when it becomes blocked. This gives it a tactical advantage, particularly in creature-heavy strategies. How do you navigate around this potential threat in a game?
Firstly, removal spells are your best friend against Laccolith Grunt. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly remove it before damage redirection becomes an issue. Additionally, using spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, bypasses the grunt’s ability entirely.
Another strategy is to avoid blocking it with valuable creatures, forcing your opponent to use it as a regular attacker. When it comes to combat, you might also employ creatures with deathtouch, as their lethal touch will take care of the Laccolith Grunt regardless of where the damage is redirected. By understanding its mechanics and planning your plays, you can minimize the impact of Laccolith Grunt and maintain control of the game.
Cards like Laccolith Grunt
Laccolith Grunt is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels to other creatures known for their ability to power up under specific conditions. Similar to Laccolith Grunt, Mogg Flunkies necessitate the presence of another creature to attack, reflecting a conditional strength. The Grunt stands out with its flexibility, being able to boost its power not only during attacks but also when blocking, adding a layer of strategy that Mogg Flunkies does not offer.
Another card with comparable mechanics is the well-known Kiln Fiend, which increases its power whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. Unlike Laccolith Grunt, Kiln Fiend’s potential power boost is unlimited per turn, hinging only on the number of non-creature spells played, presenting an opportunity for explosive turns. Although the Fiend offers a higher power ceiling, the Grunt’s immediate and guaranteed power gain during combat phases represents a reliable and consistent strength increase.
Assessing the variety of cards with power-boosting abilities in Magic: The Gathering, Laccolith Grunt affords a tactical advantage in both offensive and defensive standpoints, making it a robust addition to any deck focusing on creature synergy and combat manipulation.
Cards similar to Laccolith Grunt by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Laccolith Grunt MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Laccolith Grunt 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Laccolith Grunt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Laccolith Grunt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It can target any creature on the battlefield, not just one of the ones blocking it. |
| 2004-10-04 | The ability allows you to deal damage during the declare blockers step of combat, which is well before even first strike creatures deal damage. |
| 2004-10-04 | The ability is optional. You can decide to allow it to deal combat damage as normal. |
| 2004-10-04 | The ability triggers even if a spell or ability makes it blocked, instead of being blocked by a creature. |
