Thorn Mammoth MTG Card


Thorn Mammoth - Throne of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elephant
Abilities Fight,Trample
Released2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameThrone of Eldraine
Set codeELD
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number323
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

  1. Thorn Mammoth ensures board control through fighting, paving the way for your attacks.
  2. Ramping resources with this mammoth can stabilize your board and extend your reach.
  3. Strategic use of flash creatures with the mammoth disrupts opponents unexpectedly.

Text of card

Trample Whenever Thorn Mammoth or another creature enters the battlefield under your control, Thorn Mammoth fights up to one target creature you don't control.

It will come to the defense of all wild things, from the shivering wren to the towering giant.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thorn Mammoth’s entry onto the battlefield, coupled with its repeatable fighting ability, clears the way for your creatures to attack while keeping your opponent’s board controlled. Every time another creature enters under your command, targeted removal provides you with a tactical edge by weakening your opponent’s defenses or eliminating their key creatures, thus maintaining your advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Thorn Mammoth can be exceptionally effective in decks that focus on ramping up resources. While the mammoth itself does not directly accelerate resources, its presence establishes a dominating board state that allows you to safely develop your mana base and deploy further threats without immediate retaliation from your opponent.

Instant Speed: Although Thorn Mammoth itself does not operate at instant speed, its interaction with flash creatures can be a surprise tactic. Deploying a creature with flash during your opponent’s turn not only adds to your board but also triggers the mammoth’s ability, potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans at a critical moment. This strategic depth allows for complex plays that can swing the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One key concern with Thorn Mammoth is its nonexistent discard capability. Unlike other cards that might synergize with graveyard strategies or enablers for reanimation, this card does not offer direct support for such mechanics, potentially missing synergistic opportunities in certain deck builds.

Specific Mana Cost: Thorn Mammoth carries with it a specific mana requirement, necessitating a heavy green commitment. This can make it less versatile in multi-colored decks and potentially cumbersome in mana bases that aren’t heavily forest-inclined or capable of producing large amounts of green mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Another potential downside of Thorn Mammoth is its high mana cost. Sitting at seven mana places it on the pricier end of the creature spectrum. For that investment, players could potentially cast multiple spells or field several creatures with cumulative effects that might provide more immediate board presence or value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thorn Mammoth is a dynamic choice for many green decks due to its ability to disrupt opponents by fighting other creatures when it or another creature enters the battlefield under your control.

Combo Potential: This mammoth synergizes well with decks that focus on creature-heavy strategies or features methods to continuously bounce and replay creatures, allowing for repeated fight triggers and board control.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies dominate, the Thorn Mammoth serves as an excellent recurring removal option, making it a compelling pick for maintaining a competitive edge.


How to beat

Thorn Mammoth is a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, boasting impactful battlefield presence with its ability to fight creatures upon entering or whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control. To outmaneuver an opponent’s Thorn Mammoth, it’s essential to disrupt this cycle of board control. Opt for spells that counter creatures, like Essence Scatter, to prevent the mammoth from treading the battlefield in the first place. Alternately, utilize removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade that can efficiently eliminate the mammoth regardless of its current power. These tools are critical for maintaining a balanced battlefield and keeping the Thorn Mammoth at bay.

Another strategy revolves around exploiting Thorn Mammoth’s high mana cost. By implementing early pressure with an aggressive creature deck, you can potentially win before your opponent even has a chance to cast their mammoth. Relying on fast-paced, low-cost creatures facilitates a swift offensive that can overrun slower decks reliant on Thorn Mammoth’s board-dominant abilities. Also, consider enchantment-based removal like Pacifism or Darksteel Mutation to neutralize without triggering its fight mechanic, effectively turning the mammoth into a benign presence on the field.

A robust approach to defeating a Thorn Mammoth includes a diverse array of responses to ensure you’re not caught off guard by this behemoth of the forests. Balancing your deck to include counters, direct removal, enchantment solutions, and aggressive plays can keep this mammoth-sized threat in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an art where knowledge unfolds with every match. The Thorn Mammoth card, with its unique abilities, requires keen strategy and foresight. This green behemoth shapes the battlefield, rewarding creature-focused commanders and ramp enthusiasts alike. Our insights suggest appreciating its pros while mitigating its cons. Diverse deck construction and strategic card inclusion can turn the tide in your favor. Strive for balance, aiming to wield Thorn Mammoth’s power effectively within your green deck arsenal. Elevate your game—understanding card interactions is key. Stay ahead of the curve by continuing your MTG journey with us and enhance your collection with purpose.


Cards like Thorn Mammoth

Thorn Mammoth stands as a commanding presence in MTG, falling into the group of formidable green creatures with substantial impact effects. Comparable to its kin like Terastodon, Thorn Mammoth is endowed not only with hefty stats, but also with a noteworthy ability to pick off creatures upon entry or whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control. Unlike Terastodon, which can target noncreature permanents but has a one-time effect, Thorn Mammoth has the potential for repeated creature removal, providing a dynamic battlefield presence.

Another relative includes the likes of Balefire Dragon; though flying and dealing damage across the board rather than targeted removal, both cards excel in controlling the opponent’s creature base. The dragon, albeit red and requiring an attack to trigger its ability, echoes Thorn Mammoth’s capacity to clear multiple threats at once. A more direct comparison might be seen with Acidic Slime that, while offering a deathtouch body and the removal of any problematic noncreature permanent, lacks the repeatable nature and sheer size of the mammoth. The slime’s lower cost comes at the expense of providing the same level of ongoing board control.

Each of these cards has its place within various MTG strategies, yet Thorn Mammoth carves out a niche as a continual bruiser amongst creatures, distinguishing itself with its ability to repeatedly engage in creature combat and thrive in a creature-heavy deck.

Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Balefire Dragon - MTG Card versions
Acidic Slime - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - Resale Promos (PRES)
Balefire Dragon - Innistrad (ISD)
Acidic Slime - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Thorn Mammoth by color, type and mana cost

Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Panglacial Wurm - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Engulfing Slagwurm - MTG Card versions
Kalonian Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Thorn Elemental - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Penumbra Wurm - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - Odyssey Promos (PODY)
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - Judgment (JUD)
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Somberwald Beastmaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cultivator Colossus - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Garruk's Horde - Welcome Deck 2017 (W17)
Krosan Tusker - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Hundroog - Legions (LGN)
Enormous Baloth - Legions (LGN)
Ancient Ooze - Scourge (SCG)
Cytospawn Shambler - Dissension (DIS)
Panglacial Wurm - The List (PLST)
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - Tenth Edition (10E)
Duskdale Wurm - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Avenger of Zendikar - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Pelakka Wurm - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Engulfing Slagwurm - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Kalonian Behemoth - Salvat 2011 (PS11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thorn Mammoth MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Thorn Mammoth and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thorn Mammoth 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 Thorn Mammoth card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2019-10-04 If the target creature is an illegal target when Thorn Mammoth's last ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn't resolve. If Thorn Mammoth is no longer on the battlefield, the target creature won't deal or be dealt damage.

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