Tribal Golem MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	311
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Edward P. Beard, Jr.

Key Takeaways

Golems provide card advantage and instant speed plays, ensuring strategic depth and flexibility.
Despite their strengths, golems face drawbacks such as high mana costs and specific mana demands.
Tribal Golem cards are highly adaptable, making them valuable in various MTG metas.

Text of card

Tribal Golem has trample as long as you control a Beast, haste as long as you control a Goblin, first strike as long as you control a Soldier, flying as long as you control a Wizard, and "o B: Regenerate Tribal Golem" as long as you control a Zombie.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tribal Golem cards often have abilities that enable you to cycle through your deck faster, granting an upper hand by replenishing your resources and allowing you to access your most impactful cards more reliably.

Resource Acceleration: Many golems can act as formidable accelerators. They might tap for mana or reduce the cost of your other golem spells, effectively speeding up your game plan and allowing you to deploy threats or defensive measures ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: A select number of Tribal Golem cards provide effects at instant speed, giving you flexibility in your strategy. The ability to surprise an opponent or shift the balance of the game at a crucial moment can be a game-changer, making these golems particularly valuable in reactive or interactive decks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tribal Golem cards may compel you to discard a card to activate certain abilities. This discard stipulation can set you back, especially if your hand size is already diminishing. Balancing the golem’s potential against your dwindling resources is a delicate dance that doesn’t always result in a net gain on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Many Tribal Golem cards have a multi-colored mana cost, requiring a diversified mana base to cast them. This can be restrictive, as it sometimes forces the deck to be built around these costs, potentially limiting the inclusion of other powerful cards that might have less demanding mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to summon a Tribal Golem can be steep in comparison to other creatures. This high mana cost might delay your game plan, offering an opening for opponents to seize control of the game. Other creatures or spells in the same mana range might provide more immediate impact, making Tribal Golems a less appealing option in certain strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tribal Golem cards can adapt to various deck builds, making them ideal for players who appreciate flexibility. Their unique ability to gain features from other creatures ensures they remain relevant regardless of the changing dynamics of your deck.

Combo Potential: These cards excel when paired with other tribal components, unlocking powerful synergies. The ability for Golems to benefit from tribe-specific buffs means there’s potential for devastating plays that opponents might not see coming.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape that’s continually evolving, having cards that can stand their ground is key. The adaptability of Tribal Golem cards allows them to fit into many metas, especially those that favor tribal mechanics or creature-based strategies.

How to beat

Tribal Golem cards in Magic: The Gathering bring a unique challenge to the battlefield, thanks to their synergies with other Golem creatures and tribal support. This type of Golem often benefits from the various creature types among your army and can be quite formidable when paired with cards that bolster its specific traits. But don’t fret—there are strategies to dismantle their core advantages.

Focus on cards that negate or circumvent the Golem’s tribal synergies. Removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or exile effects, can be very effective. Spells like Wrath of God or Path to Exile can neutralize their presence on the board no matter how many buffs they’ve received. Interrupting their tribal interactions is another tactic—cards like Unmoored Ego, which can search your opponent’s deck and exile any card with a chosen name, effectively sap the strength from their Golem-based strategy before it fully forms.

Strategy and timing are critical when facing down a Tribal Golem. By implanting the right countermeasures and understanding the mechanics at play, you can level the playing field and triumph over these sturdy adversaries.

Cards like Tribal Golem

The Tribal Golem is a distinct card that captures the essence of tribal mechanics in the world of MTG. It stands on common ground with the likes of Door of Destinies, as both promote the undeniable power of tribal synergy. Just as the Tribal Golem gains abilities based on the number of creature types among creatures you control, Door of Destinies becomes more potent as you cast spells of the chosen tribe, bolstering your creatures’ strength.

Adaptive Automaton is another card that mirrors the Tribal Golem’s kinship theme. Although it may affect the board less dramatically than the Tribal Golem, it still accelerates tribal decks by offering a boost in power and toughness to creatures of the chosen type. Brass Herald also warrants comparison as it not only improves creatures of a single type but also provides a burst of card advantage upon entering the battlefield.

Each of these cards, complimentary in their tribal allegiance, showcases the strategic depth. The Tribal Golem’s multifaceted ability set grants it a unique position in MTG. It’s a testament to how creature type influences gameplay, flexing versatility across various tribal strategies.

Cards similar to Tribal Golem by color, type and mana cost

Blitzwing, Cruel Tormentor // Blitzwing, Adaptive Assailant - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tribal Golem MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Tribal Golem and other MTG cards: