Ravenous Giant MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Giant |
Power | 5 |
Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, Ravenous Giant deals 1 damage to you.
The might of an army with the restraint of a child.
Cards like Ravenous Giant
The Ravenous Giant stands tall amongst the array of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This particular behemoth is reminiscent of cards like Flamewake Phoenix, which also boasts an imposing presence on the battlefield due to its formidable power and toughness. However, the Ravenous Giant comes with its own unique twist—every upkeep, its controller takes damage. While the Phoenix offers the chance for recurrence from the graveyard. It’s a subtle yet impactful dynamic that shifts the way these cards are played strategically.
Going further down this path, we encounter the Lavaborn Muse, sharing the flavor of dealing damage to its controller during the upkeep. Unlike the Ravenous Giant, the Muse interacts with an opponent’s hand size to determine the damage dealt, making it a different beast in terms of board influence. Then there is Vexing Devil, another card that presents a choice upon entering the battlefield but lacks the ongoing upkeep cost. Though it doesn’t impact the board over subsequent turns the way Ravenous Giant might with its continuous presence and pressure.
In sum, while there are creatures that may parallel the Ravenous Giant in certain capabilities or costs, the distinct combination of high power, the steady toll it exerts on its wielder, and the sheer simplicity of its design carves a niche that allows the card to make a formidable impact in matches.
Cards similar to Ravenous Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ravenous Giant offers the potential for an immediate impact on the board state. By providing you with a formidable creature, this card can shift the momentum in your favor, setting the stage for a commanding presence during your turn.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Ravenous Giant’s presence can pressure your opponent into using resources inefficiently to handle the threat. This indirectly conserves your resources for critical plays.
Instant Speed: While the Ravenous Giant itself doesn’t have flash, its synergy in a deck that operates at instant speed can be exceedingly powerful. Decks that can summon creatures like this during the end step of an opponent’s turn could see a dramatic swing in board advantage, especially if it’s been held in hand as a surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ravenous Giant comes with an upkeep cost, where failing to discard a card each turn can hinder your hand management and diminish your options.
Specific Mana Cost: Ravenous Giant requires a rigid red mana cost, making it less flexible and thus a less desirable choice for multi-color or color-balanced decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with its abilities, Ravenous Giant’s mana cost may be deemed steep compared to other creatures that offer similar or better stats and effects with lower or more varied mana conditions.
Reasons to Include Ravenous Giant in Your Collection
Versatility: Ravenous Giant’s straightforward mechanic allows it to slot into a variety of Red-centric or multicolored decks. Its formidable power level for its casting cost makes it a go-to for players seeking raw strength on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: With its significant power, this card has the potential to synergize well with strategies that capitalize on high-power creatures. It can be used to trigger ‘Ferocious’ and ‘Raid’ abilities or to simply act as a substantial threat that demands an answer.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggro decks are prevalent, Ravenous Giant stands out as a strong offensive play. Its ability to present a considerable clock against opponents keeps it relevant in matches where the pace of victory is crucial.
How to beat
Confronting a Ravenous Giant on the battlefield is no small feat, crossing paths with this formidable creature demands a well-thought-out strategy. This juggernaut costs three mana – one of which is red – and presents a substantial challenge with its 5/5 stats. To successfully outmaneuver the Giant, it’s crucial to leverage removal spells that can neutralize the threat. Instant-speed spells such as Murder or Path to Exile can effectively dispatch the Ravenous Giant before it has the chance to wreak havoc.
Moreover, utilizing creatures with Deathtouch can serve as a formidable defense, turning the Giant’s strength against it. Counterspells also play a key role in preventing the Ravenous Giant from entering the battlefield, while Enchantment-based removals like Pacifism can effectively clip its wings, rendering it harmless. It’s about understanding when to deploy your resources and neutralize the creature before its impact becomes insurmountable. Striking a balance between offense and a firm defensive line holds the key to overcoming the Ravenous Giant’s ravenous appetite for destruction.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ravenous Giant // Ravenous Giant MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons Art Series and Modern Horizons, 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 Ravenous Giant // Ravenous Giant 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ravenous Giant // Ravenous Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Milivoj Ćeran.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Modern Horizons Art Series | AMH1 | 37 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Milivoj Ćeran | ||
2 | 2019-06-14 | Modern Horizons | MH1 | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Milivoj Ćeran | |
3 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 585 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Milivoj Ćeran |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ravenous Giant has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Penny | Legal |