Thicket Crasher MTG Card


Thicket Crasher excels in elemental decks, enhancing the power of creature-based attacks. Strategically limited to green-focused decks, it requires careful mana planning. Removal spells and board wipes effectively counteract Thicket Crasher’s impact.
Thicket Crasher - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental Rhino
Abilities Trample
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number196
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMathias Kollros

Text of card

Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) Other Elementals you control have trample.

"Tread too hard in the forest and it will tread on you in return." —Vivien Reid


Cards like Thicket Crasher

Thicket Crasher has planted its roots firmly within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other creatures that bolster your board with trample, such as Stampeding Elk Herd. While both cards lend the powerful ability to your creatures, Thicket Crasher is particularly noted for its elemental synergy, giving other Elementals you control trample as well.

Another comparable card in the ecosystem is the Charging Rhino, which also provides a substantial body with trample. However, Charging Rhino restricts how many creatures can block it, adding a layer of strategic defense. Thicket Crasher, though, is more focused on offense, enhancing your entire elemental army’s potential to deal damage directly to your opponent.

Within this forest of trample-enabling flora and fauna, Thicket Crasher holds its own, especially in elemental-focused decks. Its ability to empower an entire creature type makes it a viable choice for players looking to forge a path to victory through sheer unblockable power. It’s a testament to the card’s utility and the strategic depth it brings to MTG gameplay.

Stampeding Elk Herd - MTG Card versions
Charging Rhino - MTG Card versions
Stampeding Elk Herd - MTG Card versions
Charging Rhino - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thicket Crasher doesn’t directly provide card advantage, but its trample ability helps ensure that creatures you control are more likely to deal damage to your opponent, effectively making each of your creature cards more valuable.

Resource Acceleration: While Thicket Crasher itself isn’t a source of resource acceleration, it pairs well with mana dorks and other ramp spells by providing a sizable body that benefits immediately from any extra mana you’ve generated, allowing you to keep up the pressure.

Instant Speed: Thicket Crasher doesn’t have instant speed; however, its static ability significantly enhances the potency of your creatures, which makes it a robust play during your main phases. This can unexpectedly turn your board into a more formidable threat, catching opponents off guard without needing the flexibility of instant timing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Thicket Crasher doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it is important to consider the cost of committing to this four-mana creature. Particularly in decks that aim for speed and efficiency, allocating resources such as card advantage to pay for Thicket Crasher’s cost may not always align with your strategic goals.

Specific Mana Cost: Thicket Crasher demands both green mana and generic mana to cast. While the green mana requirement fits well within its color pie, it restricts the card to green-centric or multi-colored decks, thus limiting its overall flexibility in deck construction and potentially hindering mana-base consistency in non-green decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including three generic mana and one green, Thicket Crasher isn’t the most mana-efficient creature on the curve, especially when compared to other creatures that offer additional abilities or higher stats for a similar or lower investment. Players may find more cost-effective creatures that provide a better advantage for the same or even a lower mana commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thicket Crasher’s ability to give all your other elementals trample allows it to fit into a variety of elemental-themed decks, as well as any green deck looking for a solid creature that improves board presence.

Combo Potential: In decks that synergize with elementals or focus on dealing damage via creatures, Thicket Crasher can be a game changer, empowering an entire battlefield of creatures to push through those last points of damage.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies persist across various formats, having creatures that can bypass blockers is crucial. Thicket Crasher keeps your elemental attacks consistent, which is especially significant in a meta filled with ground blockers.


How to beat

Thicket Crasher is a card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This green creature has the ability to grant trample to all other green creatures you control, making it a fearsome force in a deck that’s heavy on green. It nudges your creatures to potentially deal more damage by allowing excess combat damage to spill over to the opponent.

To counteract Thicket Crasher, removal spells are a solid strategy. Instant-speed removal such as Murder or Path to Exile can swiftly take it off the board before it has the chance to sway a battle in your opponent’s favor. It’s also worth considering board wipes like Wrath of God to reset the playing field and clear all creatures, including those pesky tramplers, in one fell swoop. Additionally, employing creatures with reach or ample blocking power can mitigate the advantage Thicket Crasher confers, buffering you against the tide of trampling green beasts.

In essence, the key to outplaying Thicket Crasher lies in readiness. A combination of preemptive removal, strategic blockers, and understanding the right moment to reset the board can ensure that this card doesn’t overrun your defenses.


BurnMana Recommendations

The key insights surrounding Thicket Crasher reveal its utility in decks that thrive on combat damage breakthrough. This MTG card shines in elemental synergies, elevating your squad to trample over obstacles and pressure your adversary. Although it may have a higher casting cost and specific color requirements, its straightforward role in green decks makes it a contender for inclusion in your collection. Whether fine-tuning an elemental-themed deck or seeking potent board presence, Thicket Crasher could significantly enhance your strategy. Dive deeper into our wealth of MTG resources to discover how to effectively integrate Thicket Crasher into your deck, and navigate around its challenges to seize victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thicket Crasher MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Thicket Crasher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thicket Crasher has restrictions

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