Stone Giant MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 176
1993-10-04 - Number 177
1993-12-01 - Number 177
1993-12-10 - Number 177
1993-12-10 - Number 177
1994-04-01 - Number 179
1994-04-01 - Number 179
1994-06-21 - Number 179
1995-04-01 - Number 223
1995-04-01 - Number 223
1997-03-24 - Number 269
2007-09-10 - Number 109
2009-07-17 - Number 159
2012-03-30 - Number 55
2022-11-28 - Number 172
2022-11-28 - Number 469
2020-09-26 - Number DDI-55
| Card sets | Released in 17 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Giant |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Tap to make one of your own creatures a flying creature until end of turn. Target creature, which must have toughness less than Stone Giant's power, is destroyed at end of turn.
What goes up, must come down.
Cards like Stone Giant
Stone Giant holds a unique stance in the realm of red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. A classic from earlier sets, Stone Giant shares functionalities with cards that allow you to manipulate creatures in some way. For instance, Ball Lightning epitomizes the characteristic of high attack power with the catch of sacrificing it at the end of the turn, somewhat mirroring Stone Giant’s ability that grants temporary power at the risk of destroying a creature.
Comparatively, Brion Stoutarm offers a similar flavor in terms of utilizing creatures as artillery, hurling them at the opponent for damage equivalent to their power. However, unlike Stone Giant, Brion Stoutarm’s ability doesn’t risk the creature’s immediate demise. On another front, Aether Membrane is yet another card that controls the battlefield but in a defensive manner, deterring attacks with its return to hand effect, diverging from Stone Giant’s offensive role.
To sum up, Stone Giant’s capability to temporarily empower creatures while risking their survival carves out a distinct position among red cards. It encourages strategic play, balancing the potential for a massive hit with the peril that follows, a hallmark of red’s risk-reward philosophy in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Stone Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Stone Giant itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it can create advantageous board states that may force your opponent to expend multiple resources to handle the threats you create, effectively leading to card advantage on your side.
Resource Acceleration: Stone Giant doesn’t provide traditional resource acceleration like ramp spells or artifacts do. However, its ability to temporarily boost a smaller creature allows you to potentially accelerate your offensive capabilities without requiring additional mana investment for a turn.
Instant Speed: Stone Giant’s ability may not be at instant speed, but its activation can lead to instant consequences for your opponent. You can shift dynamics quickly by making an unexpected blocker on your opponent’s turn, potentially messing up their combat calculations and forcing them to adapt instantly to the new threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Stone Giant’s ability necessitates sacrificing a creature at the beginning of the next end step, posing a potential disadvantage if you’re unable to capitalize on the temporary boost.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two red mana, this card is best suited for mono-red or red-heavy decks, potentially limiting its inclusion in more varied color strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with a power/toughness of 3/4, the Stone Giant requires a relatively high mana cost, which might be inefficient compared to other creatures with similar or better stats and abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stone Giant offers unique tactical flexibilities, fitting well in decks that capitalize on manipulating creature dynamics and board states.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with high-powered creatures, utilizing its ability to grant temporary flying, which could be a formidable combo with cards that benefit from attacking or dealing combat damage.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where board presence and evasion tactics are crucial, Stone Giant has the potential to be a game-changer, altering the flow and outcome of matches.
How to beat
The Stone Giant presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, requiring a strategic approach to overcome. As a three-power creature with the ability to grant another creature flying until end of turn, it demands immediate attention. To effectively neutralize this giant’s advantage, consider using instant-speed removal when the giant targets a creature with its ability. This timing ensures the target will be sacrificed at the end of the turn due to the Giant’s debilitating effect, maximizing the efficiency of your removal spell.
Another key tactic is to limit the creatures that the Giant can target. Ensnaring effects or pacifism auras restrict the Giant’s ability to manipulate the battlefield. Counterspells are also a powerful tool against the Stone Giant, preventing it from ever taking effect. Lastly, board wipes neutralize the presence of the Stone Giant, resetting the playing field. By employing these strategies, you can diminish the influence of the Stone Giant and maintain control of the game.
Mitigating the Stone Giant’s impact is crucial for maintaining a favorable board state. Implement these techniques, and your opponents will find their Stone Giants much less formidable, paving your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stone Giant MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Stone 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 Stone Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 176 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 177 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 177 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 177 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 177 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 179 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 179 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 179 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 223 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 223 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 269 | 1997 | Normal | White | James Allen | |
| 12 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 109 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 13 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 159 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | |
| 14 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | |
| 15 | The List | PLST | DDI-55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | ||
| 16 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 17 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 469 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stone Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stone Giant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | If the Giant’s power and/or toughness change so that its toughness is less than its power, you can have the ability target the Giant itself. |
| 2009-10-01 | If Stone Giant’s ability is activated during a turn’s end step, the delayed triggered ability won’t trigger until the beginning of the next turn’s end step. The targeted creature will be destroyed at that time. |
| 2009-10-01 | To work as an evasion ability, an attacking creature must already have flying when the declare blockers step begins. Once a creature has become blocked, giving it flying won’t change that. |
| 2009-10-01 | When the delayed triggered ability resolves, the targeted creature is destroyed, even if it’s no longer a creature, no longer under your control, or no longer has toughness less than Stone Giant’s power at that time. |