Goliath Beetle MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Insect
Abilities	Trample
Released	1999-06-07
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Destiny
Set code	UDS
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	107
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Don Hazeltine

Key Takeaways

Accelerates card advantage by drawing more options upon dealing damage to opponents.
Enables resource ramping, setting the stage for quicker high-impact spell casting.
The instant speed capability offers strategic edge through adaptability and surprise.

Text of card

Trample

The balance of nature dictates that one day humans will be stepped on by bugs.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goliath Beetle card offers a unique twist on card advantage; when you successfully land damage with it, you’re often rewarded with additional cards in hand. This mechanic is crucial as it refills your arsenal, keeping you ahead in the resource battle against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does this creature pose a substantial threat on the battlefield, but it also accelerates your resources. As a byproduct of its size or abilities, it can potentially ramp up your mana reserves, laying the groundwork for casting high-impact spells sooner than your opponent anticipates.

Instant Speed: With the capability to act at instant speed, Goliath Beetle gives you the strategic advantage of unpredictability. You can deploy it at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to their actions, ensuring you’re always one step ahead – adapting and reacting in real-time to the ever-changing dynamics of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Goliath Beetle comes with an extra cost; you’ll have to let go of another card from your hand to play it. If your hand is already running low, this requirement could set you back even further.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana combination to hit the battlefield. If your deck isn’t fine-tuned with the right mana sources, you might find it challenging to cover the Goliath Beetle’s casting cost when the timing is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Goliath Beetle’s power may not line up with its mana cost. There are other creatures and spells available that could give you a better bang for your buck, especially in a mana-intense moment of the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goliath Beetle is a robust addition to decks utilizing +1/+1 counters or insect synergies, capable of adapting to various game situations with its scalable power.

Combo Potential: This card provides fertile ground for combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on proliferate mechanics or those that benefit from large creatures.

Meta-Relevance: When creature-based strategies are flourishing in the meta-game, Goliath Beetle’s potential to become a formidable force on the battlefield could prove advantageous.

How to beat Goliath Beetle

The Goliath Beetle card stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its formidable presence on the battlefield. With commendable toughness and the potential to bolster its power, it presents a challenge for any opponent. Yet, there are strategies to swing the game back in your favor against this looming insect.

Counterspells and removal spells are your first line of defense, disrupting your opponent’s plans before the beetle gets a chance to dig its claws into the match. In the event that the beetle hits the board, direct damage spells or spells that can shrink its power and toughness, like Pacifism or Lignify, can effectively neutralize it. If you’re aiming to go over the top, flyers can dominate the game as the Goliath Beetle lacks reach, allowing you to bypass it entirely and attack your opponent directly.

In essence, to conquer the Goliath Beetle, aim to prevent it from establishing dominance, remove it swiftly if it lands, or bypass it if it grows too powerful. Each strategy requires timely execution, but if done correctly, you can mitigate the impact of this giant insect and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Goliath Beetle

The Goliath Beetle is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that stands out among its peers for its unique blend of abilities. It shares similarities with other insect cards such as Giant Adephage, which comes with an impressive ability to create a token copy of itself upon dealing combat damage to a player. However, the Goliath Beetle is distinct in its ability to leverage +1/+1 counters to become a more formidable force on the battlefield.

Another comparable creature is Scute Mob. Despite being smaller initially, Scute Mob possesses the potential to grow exponentially each upkeep if you control five or more lands. In contrast, the Goliath Beetle requires fewer setup conditions, allowing it to be more immediately impactful in developing your board presence. Additionally, cards like Hornet Queen resonate in this category, with the ability to flood the field with flying insect tokens, though at a higher mana investment compared to the efficient cost associated with Goliath Beetle.

When considering the Goliath Beetle’s place in the ecosystem of MTG creature cards, its unique combination of cost-efficiency and scaling power through +1/+1 counters makes it a competitive choice for players looking to apply early pressure and carry a strong late-game presence.

Cards similar to Goliath Beetle by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goliath Beetle MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Goliath Beetle and other MTG cards: