Tectonic Giant MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental Giant
Power 3
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage by exiling top library cards, replenishing your hand during battles.
  2. Enables resource acceleration without producing mana or tokens, creating more in-game options.
  3. Adeptly pressures opponents who must carefully consider their interaction with the Giant.

Text of card

Whenever Tectonic Giant attacks or becomes the target of a spell an opponent controls, choose one — • Tectonic Giant deals 3 damage to each opponent. • Exile the top two cards of your library. Choose one of them. Until the end of your next turn, you may play that card.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Tectonic Giant becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls or when Tectonic Giant attacks, the card grants a choice. This can lead to a significant card advantage as you may exile the top two cards of your library and play one of them until the end of your next turn. Such a mechanism keeps your hand replenished, maintaining pressure on the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Tectonic Giant itself doesn’t directly provide mana or tokens, the ability to play additional cards from the top of your library effectively accelerates your resources. You can deploy more threats or answers, aiding in dictating the pace of the game.

Instant Speed: While Tectonic Giant’s abilities are not activated at instant speed, the threat of its attack or being targeted triggers its effects, which can influence opponents’ decisions during their turn. Knowing that interacting with or leaving the Giant unchecked will provide you with added benefits can cause opponents to play around it, potentially to their detriment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tectonic Giant doesn’t directly require discard but it does become a potential target for removal spells once its ability is triggered, leading to a loss of resources if not played cautiously.

Specific Mana Cost: Tectonic Giant’s red-centric mana cost makes it a strategic fit primarily for mono-red or red-heavy decks, potentially restricting its versatility in multi-colored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three generic and one red mana to cast, Tectonic Giant could be considered a high investment. When faced with faster-paced games or mana constraints, players might find it difficult to derive value from the card in a timely manner.


Reasons to Include Tectonic Giant in Your Collection

Versatility: Tectonic Giant offers a flexible role in your MTG deck construction, seamlessly slotting into aggressive strategies with its high damage output, as well as providing significant value in midrange decks due to its ability to act as both an attacker and a source of card advantage.

Combo Potential: The ability of Tectonic Giant to deal direct damage to an opponent or to draw a card when it becomes the target of a spell or ability opens up a range of combo possibilities, especially in decks designed around direct damage and “burn” strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where interaction is key, Tectonic Giant ensures that whether it’s removed or allowed to attack, you gain an advantage, making it a very relevant choice against control decks that rely heavily on removing threats.


How to Beat Tectonic Giant

Tectonic Giant is a unique force within the realm of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering not just sizeable power but also strategic choices whenever it attacks or becomes the target of a spell an opponent controls. To successfully maneuver against this card, players must focus on managing the battlefield without triggering its abilities. Removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar, come in handy by circumventing the Giant’s reactive abilities. Alternatively, playing cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can be an effective strategy, as cards like Liliana’s Triumph or Plaguecrafter apply pressure without targeting.

Direct damage spells that target may not be the best choice, as they allow the Giant to trigger and provide advantage to your opponent. It becomes a game of chess – playing around the Giant’s presence and choosing the right moment to act. Counterspells, though not removal, can also stop the Giant before it even touches the board. Patience and precise control are key when navigating a match against this mighty adversary from Theros. Engaging with it wisely can ensure that Tectonic Giant doesn’t erupt into game-winning value for the opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

For passionate MTG players seeking to bolster their decks, Tectonic Giant offers a formidable blend of card advantage and strategic flexibility. This powerful elemental not only enhances your aggressive strategies with its considerable damage potential but also fits snugly into midrange decks, thanks to its dual card-advantage abilities. As you refine your collection, consider the Giant’s role against diverse metagame scenarios and its synergy with direct damage strategies. Take your gameplay to new heights by capitalizing on the unique strengths Tectonic Giant brings to the table. Explore more with us and discover further insights to claim victory in your MTG encounters.


Cards like Tectonic Giant

Tectonic Giant is a force to be reckoned with among creatures that offer multiple modes of threat in MTG. Similar to Embermaw Hellion, Tectonic Giant provides you with a powerful effect that activates upon attacking or becoming the target of a spell. While Embermaw Hellion increases the damage dealt by red sources, Tectonic Giant either deals direct damage to an opponent or allows you to exile the top two cards of your library, playing one of them until the end of your next turn.

Another comparison can be drawn to Inferno Titan. Like Tectonic Giant, Inferno Titan can deal extra damage to an opponent or creature when entering the battlefield or attacking. However, Inferno Titan’s ability is more flexible, allowing you to divide the damage as you choose. Despite this, Tectonic Giant offers a different type of advantage through card advantage instead of the potential mass removal provided by Inferno Titan.

In assessing Tectonic Giant alongside its counterparts, there’s an appreciable balance between the immediate impact and strategic advantage it offers in various MTG gameplay situations. It stands out as a compelling option, particularly for decks that capitalize on dealing direct damage or those that wish to circumvent traditional card draw limitations.

Embermaw Hellion - MTG Card versions
Inferno Titan - MTG Card versions
Embermaw Hellion - Magic Origins (ORI)
Inferno Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Tectonic Giant by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tectonic Giant MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death Promos, 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 Tectonic Giant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tectonic Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 798952015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
22020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 158p2015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
32020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 1582015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
42020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 158s2015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
52020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 3232015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
62021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1442015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
72022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 8082015normalblackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tectonic Giant has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tectonic Giant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-01-24 An ability that triggers when a creature becomes the target of a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-01-24 If a spell targets Tectonic Giant more than once, its ability triggers only once.
2020-01-24 If you don't play the exiled card that you chose, it remains in exile with the card you didn't choose.
2020-01-24 Players can cast spells and activate abilities after the triggered ability resolves but before the spell that caused it to trigger does.
2020-01-24 Playing an exiled card causes it to leave exile. You can't play it multiple times.
2020-01-24 Tectonic Giant doesn't change when you can play the exiled card. For example, if you exile a sorcery card, you can cast it only during your main phase when the stack is empty. If you exile a land card, you can play it only during your main phase and only if you have an available land play remaining.
2020-01-24 You choose which of the exiled cards you'll be able to play while the ability is resolving. You can't wait to pick one later. The other card remains in exile.

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