Tuktuk the Explorer MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 169
2014-11-07 - Number 183
2018-06-08 - Number 124
2020-08-07 - Number 149
2020-09-26 - Number CM2-124
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Goblin |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste When Tuktuk the Explorer is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a legendary 5/5 colorless Goblin Golem artifact creature token named Tuktuk the Returned onto the battlefield.
Remade by Eldrazi magic, Tuktuk inspired an entire clan of misguided goblins.
Cards like Tuktuk the Explorer
Tuktuk the Explorer holds a unique position in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels exist with cards like Reassembling Skeleton or Bloodsoaked Champion, both known for their resilience and ability to return to the battlefield. What sets Tuktuk the Explorer apart is its death-triggered ability, generating a token that’s far mightier than the original creature, a feature absent in the aforementioned comparisons.
Similarly, when examining Ondu War Cleric, we notice that it offers recurring benefits, though it relies on the cohort mechanic to activate. Conversely, Tuktuk the Explorer’s advantage activates upon its demise, independent of other cards. Then you have Squee, Goblin Nabob, who boasts a nearly unstoppable presence due to being cast from both the graveyard and exile, but lacks the impactful board presence Tuktuk’s token provides once the explorer falls.
Analyzing these likenesses showcases Tuktuk the Explorer’s unique strengths. From a gameplay perspective, the card introduces strategic depth and a surprise factor with a potentially game-turning Golem token—making it a noteworthy choice for decks capitalizing on enter-the-battlefield and death-triggered mechanics in Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tuktuk the Explorer ensures a persistent presence on the board. Upon demise, it generates a token that can be valuable for strategies that capitalize on creature death or artifact synergies.
Resource Acceleration: The token produced by Tuktuk the Explorer is an artifact creature, which can potentially be utilized to ramp or enhance artifact-centric plays, fostering your in-game resources and advancing your board state.
Instant Speed: While Tuktuk itself doesn’t have instant speed, the token it creates upon death offers unplanned advantages. It facilitates reactionary plays by providing an abrupt blocker or an unexpected participant for sacrifice-based effects.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tuktuk the Explorer doesn’t impose a discard condition itself, but it operates in a red deck which often means sacrificing card advantage for aggression, potentially making it harder to recover if you’re behind.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost requires two red mana, making it a less flexible option for multicolored decks that may struggle with mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although not excessively expensive, Tuktuk the Explorer’s mana cost occupies a competitive slot in many decks. Considering its abilities, some players might find other three-mana drops more impactful in the game’s early stages.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tuktuk the Explorer is a solid pick for any Commander or Singleton deck seeking resilient creatures. When Tuktuk is sent to the graveyard, it leaves behind a 5/5 Golem artifact creature, offering a built-in second chance for impact on the game.
Combo Potential: With its ability to create a Golem on death, Tuktuk can synergize well with decks that capitalize on artifact strategies or death triggers. Think of using Tuktuk as a recurvable blocker or pair it with sacrifice outlets for consistent board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Given its inherent ability to deal with board wipes and removal, Tuktuk holds a place in metagames where creature removal is prevalent. The Golem artifact it creates can be pivotal for maintaining board state or swinging momentum in your favor against control-heavy decks.
How to Beat Tuktuk the Explorer
Understanding the strategies against Tuktuk the Explorer can be critical in MTG matches. Whenever Tuktuk is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, a token that’s a copy of Tuktuk the Explorer is created, only this time it’s an artifact in addition to its other types. Preventing this recursion ability is key to overcoming this resilient Goblin.
Exile effects are the best answer to Tuktuk, as they prevent the token generation entirely. Using cards like Path to Exile or Scavenging Ooze can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by removing Tuktuk from play without triggering its ability. Furthermore, graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt can be used proactively to ensure that Tuktuk’s triggered ability never has the chance to resolve, making it a non-factor in your battle for victory.
Planning ahead and keeping such solutions in your deck gives you a ready answer to such relentless creatures. Always aim to manage the battlefield and keep your opponent’s graveyard under control; this way, Tuktuk the Explorer becomes much less of an issue and allows you to maintain a strong position in your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tuktuk the Explorer MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Commander 2014, 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 Tuktuk the Explorer 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
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Printings
The Tuktuk the Explorer Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 169 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 183 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 4 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 149 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | CM2-124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tuktuk the Explorer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tuktuk the Explorer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | Both Tuktuk the Explorer and Tuktuk the Returned are legendary creatures. However, since they have different names, one of each may coexist without being affected by the “legend rule.” |