Thundering Giant MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 221
2000-10-01 - Number 49
2007-07-13 - Number 243
2007-07-13 - Number 243★
2013-06-07 - Number 136
2014-07-18 - Number 165
2017-04-15 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Giant |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Thundering Giant is unaffected by summoning sickness.
The giant was felt a few seconds before he was seen.
Cards like Thundering Giant
Thundering Giant stands as a robust presence in the world of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears comparison with other cards like Rumbling Baloth, both featuring the same mana cost and a focus on brute strength without complex abilities. The Giant’s advantage lies in its haste characteristic, allowing it to attack immediately without the wait, unlike the Baloth. Emphasizing speed in gameplay, Thundering Giant delivers swift pressure on opponents.
Contrasting it with another card, the Hill Giant, reveals a difference in tactical value. Although the Hill Giant comes at a lower mana cost, it lacks the haste attribute which could turn the tide in the heat of battle. In a game that often hinges on tempo, the immediate aggressive capabilities of the Thundering Giant could be much preferred. Moreover, Splatter Thug offers a similar aggressive capability with its unleash ability, yet the Giant’s higher toughness gives it a durability edge in combat.
To sum up, within the scope of straightforward, power-driven creatures, the Thundering Giant holds its ground with the added advantage of immediate combat participation, marking it as a card with potentially game-altering impact in MTG realms.
Cards similar to Thundering Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Thundering Giant itself doesn’t directly let you draw cards, its presence demands an answer from your opponent, potentially leading them to expend multiple resources to deal with it. The card’s impact in simplifying the board can indirectly translate into a card advantage for the player.
Resource Acceleration: The Giant doesn’t provide traditional acceleration like ramp spells or artifacts. However, its 4/3 stats for five mana means a well-timed play can rapidly shift the game’s momentum in your favor, enabling faster execution of your strategy.
Instant Speed: Thundering Giant operates at sorcery speed, but its haste ability allows for immediate impact. This simulates the effects of instant speed by surprising opponents and offering immediate board presence, which could equate to quicker damage dealing before the opponent can reinforce their defenses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Thundering Giant comes with a steep price, requiring a player to potentially discard valuable cards from their hand to leverage its full potential. This can put players at a disadvantage, particularly in games where hand size equates to more options and control.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the challenges with Thundering Giant is its reliance on a red mana-heavy investment. This makes the card a less versatile pick, as it fits primarily into monored or specific two-color decks where red mana is abundant.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher end, Thundering Giant competes with other high-impact creatures and spells in the five mana slot. In many cases, players may find that other cards provide more utility or board presence for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thundering Giant, with its haste attribute, can be a game-changer, swiftly pressuring opponents in a variety of aggressive red decks.
Combo Potential: Its immediate impact upon entering the battlefield pairs well with strategies that benefit from dealing damage quickly or utilizing creatures that can attack right away.
Meta-Relevance: In fast-paced matches where closing games quickly is key, Thundering Giant’s ability to swing for damage on the same turn it is played makes it a considerable threat to be reckoned with.
How to beat
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, coming up against a Thundering Giant can be quite the challenge. This formidable creature is known for its haste, allowing it to swing into combat the very turn it hits the board. However, like all cards, it has its vulnerabilities. One effective tactic is to employ spot removal cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, swiftly removing it before it can deal damage. Counterspells like Cancel are also perfect for preemptively dealing with this threat while still on the stack.
Alternatively, taking control of the board with creatures that can outclass the Thundering Giant in combat is another sound strategy. Cards that create tokens can effectively block and wear it down, minimizing the impact of its immediate presence. Additionally, playing defensively with cards that have flash can surprise an opponent, turning the tables when they least expect it. Ensnaring spells or enchantments that limit the giant’s ability to attack or block can also be decisive in overcoming this hulking adversary.
At the end of the day, while Thundering Giant may pose an imposing threat with its haste and size, a well-prepared player with the right countermeasures can nullify its impact and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thundering Giant MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Beatdown Box Set, 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 Thundering 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 Thundering Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2017-04-15. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 221 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 49 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Zug | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 243 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 4 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 243★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 5 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 136 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 6 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 7 | 2017-04-15 | Welcome Deck 2017 | W17 | 23 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thundering Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |