Big Play MTG Card


Big Play - Strixhaven: School of Mages
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2021-04-23
Set symbol
Set nameStrixhaven: School of Mages
Set codeSTX
Number122
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byNicholas Gregory

Key Takeaways

  1. Big Play cards grant card advantage, letting players draw more and recover crucial cards, influencing match outcomes.
  2. They offer resource acceleration, such as mana boosts, enabling pivotal, game-changing turns against opponents.
  3. The versatility of executing Big Plays at instant speed adds a strategic layer, surprising and outsmarting rivals.

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains reach until end of turn. Put a +1/+1 counter on it.

"Quandrix is running out of time. If they're going to capture the Witherbloom mascot, they need something big here." —Cremik, Mage Tower commentator


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the game-changing elements that ‘Big Play’ cards bring to the table is significant card advantage. These cards often offer players the ability to draw multiple cards or retrieve key cards from the graveyard, keeping their hand full and options open. This influx of resources can turn the tide of a match, favoring the player with more selections to counter an opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Utilizing a ‘Big Play’ card usually results in a substantial increase in a player’s resources. Whether it’s ramping up their mana pool, generating tokens, or reducing the cost of future spells, these cards are integral for catapulting players ahead. This form of acceleration can lead to powerful turns where multiple influential plays can overwhelm an opponent.

Instant Speed: The ability to make a ‘Big Play’ at instant speed can be a defining moment in MTG matches. Reacting to an adversary’s actions, disrupting their strategy, or simply having the capability to make a definitive move during their turn can often catch opponents off-guard. This kind of versatility and strategic depth adds a layer of complexity to any match, giving savvy players a tool to outmaneuver and outthink their rivals.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In order to harness the potential of a Big Play card, you might be compelled to discard others from your hand. This can leave you in a precarious situation, particularly if your hand is your last line of defense against an opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Big plays often come with a specific mana combination that must be met, which can be restrictive. This may limit deckbuilding choices, as you have to ensure a consistent mana base to cast the card when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The power to change the game’s course comes at a price. These cards frequently require a substantial mana investment, which means you could be using a large portion of your turn’s resources for a single play. This may not always be the tactical advantage you need, especially if the board state is unfavorable and you require multiple actions instead of one powerful play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Big Play card is a multifaceted tool in many deck builds, adept at enhancing both creature performance and late-game momentum.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic interactions, particularly with strategies that capitalize on sudden power boosts or require surprise blockers.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting meta that often values instant-speed interaction, Big Play secures its spot by offering both a combat trick and a sizable stat boost, potentially shifting the tide of a match.


How to beat

The MTG card Big Play has its own unique place in the game, acting somewhat like a combat trick but with the upside of bolstering a creature’s power and toughness. When facing a Big Play on the battlefield, the key is to anticipate the move. Players should consider keeping removal spells or instant-speed tricks up their sleeves to counter this potent card. It’s important to manage the board effectively and avoid overcommitting, as a well-timed Big Play can disrupt your strategy by swinging combat in your opponent’s favor.

Timing is everything when sidestepping the impact of Big Play. A smart move is to force your adversary to burn this card suboptimally; you can achieve this by maintaining open mana for responses or by bluffing potential counterplays. Moreover, favoring creatures with abilities that neutralize buffs can dampen Big Play’s effectiveness. In summary, readiness to adapt and strategic foresight are your best instruments when navigating against the impactful twist that Big Play introduces in MTG encounters.


Cards like Big Play

Big Play stands as an interesting utility piece in MTG, with parallels to combat tricks like Giant Growth. Both offer creatures a power and toughness boost, with Giant Growth providing an immediate +3/+3. Where Big Play shifts the dynamic is in its potential to provide an advantage by allowing blocking with two creatures instead of one. This could equate to a significant board swing during combat.

Much like Titanic Growth, the power surge from Big Play is substantial, giving a +4/+4, though at a higher mana cost. What sets Big Play apart is its defensive capability, not featured in Titanic Growth, which is solely aimed at offensive plays. Comparatively, we also have Run Afoul which, for one less mana, can force an opponent’s creature to be blocked if you control a creature with flying, thus also affecting the combat phase but in a different manner.

Considering these comparisons, Big Play offers versatile play options, aiming to turn the tides of combat not just through enhanced power but through strategic creature blocking as well. The added flexibility marks its value among creature boost spells in MTG, especially for those looking to create sudden and potentially game-winning shifts in board state.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Titanic Growth - MTG Card versions
Run Afoul - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Titanic Growth - Magic 2012 (M12)
Run Afoul - Core Set 2021 (M21)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Big Play MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Big Play and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Big Play has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks