Watchful Giant MTG Card

Grants card advantage with a 1/1 token upon entering, valuable in limited formats where creature count matters. Demands careful mana management due to specific cost, possibly affecting deck flexibility and efficiency. Effective defender with combo potential, suited for longer games demanding robust board presence.
Watchful Giant - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Giant Soldier
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Power 3
Toughness 6
Number30
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGrzegorz Rutkowski

Text of card

When Watchful Giant enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white Human creature token.

Loitering is not only illegal but unwise, since those who stay too long in one place are apt to be stepped on.

Cards like Watchful Giant

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Watchful Giant is a card that stands tall not only in stature but also in its role as a defender. It possesses a kinship with creatures like Hill Giant, also boasting a sizeable body suitable for blocking adversaries. However, Watchful Giant brings an additional perk to the battlefield – when it enters the game, it creates a 1/1 white Human creature token, allowing you to fortify your defensive line even further.

When placed beside Loxodon Wayfarer, another creature card with comparable mana cost, the advantages become clear. Although Loxodon Wayfarer offers a slight gain in landfall-triggered life points, Watchful Giant’s additional creature token grants it an edge in value as a protective force. Moreover, Gallant Cavalry echoes a similar mechanic to Watchful Giant, creating a 2/2 Knight creature token with vigilance upon arrival. Yet, the Giant’s greater toughness could be the deciding factor for players prioritizing endurance over aggressive strategies.

Thus, within the spectrum of comparable creature cards in MTG, Watchful Giant presents itself as a reliable choice for those looking to enhance their defenses while gaining incremental board presence. Its unique combination of size and token generation distinguishes it within its category.

Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Gallant Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Gallant Cavalry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Watchful Giant helps in stabilizing your board presence by introducing a 1/1 Human creature token upon entering the battlefield. This addition bolsters your army and equates to tangible card advantage, especially in limited formats where every creature counts.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Giant itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its presence can deter early aggression from opponents. This allows you to maintain your life total while developing your mana base and casting costlier spells that can turn the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: While the Watchful Giant doesn’t operate at instant speed, its impact on the battlefield is reminiscent of the kind of flexibility instant speed interaction can provide. Deploying the Giant at the right time can create immediate board impact, much like an instant can change the state of play when used judiciously.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Watchful Giant is that it doesn’t come with any discard effects that might synergize with other aspects of your strategy, missing opportunities for advantageous interactions within graveyard-centric decks.

Specific Mana Cost: The Watchful Giant’s cost demands a balanced spread of mana, specifically requiring one white in its total cost. This can be restrictive for decks not heavily invested in white mana sources, potentially disrupting mana curve efficiency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, the Watchful Giant sits at a higher point on the mana curve. This can hinder its playability, especially when compared to other creatures that may provide a greater impact or more value on the board for the same or lesser investment.

Reasons to Include Watchful Giant in Your Collection

Versatility: Watchful Giant may not be a staple in every deck, but it offers a solid creature body which can be beneficial in decks that focus on defensive strategies or require creatures with a higher toughness to withstand opponents’ assaults.

Combo Potential: With Watchful Giant’s ability to create a 1/1 white Human creature token upon entering the battlefield, it can complement strategies that revolve around token generation or that benefit from having multiple creatures in play.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go longer and board presence becomes key, Watchful Giant can be a crucial addition, offering both immediate value upon entry and a substantial blocking force that can help sway the battlefield in your favor.

How to Beat Watchful Giant

Watchful Giant in Magic: The Gathering presents a towering challenge with its impact on board presence. This card introduces a sizeable creature that also brings a 1/1 white Human creature token into play. Despite its ability to bulk up one’s defenses, it isn’t without its vulnerabilities.

To effectively counter Watchful Giant, consider using removal spells that bypass its 6-toughness. Options like Murder, which unconditionally destroys a target creature, can eliminate the Giant without a fuss. Another strategy involves flying creatures, which can soar over the Giant and its token, applying pressure from above. Enchantment-based removals, such as Pacifism or Luminous Bonds, can also neutralize the Giant, turning it into a mere bystander on the battlefield.

It’s important to remember that Watchful Giant is a 6-mana cost card, which presents a window of opportunity. This allows for the implementation of aggressive tactics in earlier turns before the Giant even makes an appearance. By utilizing efficient mana curves and swifter creatures, one can gain an advantage, thereby diminishing the impact of Watchful Giant when it finally lands.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Watchful Giant MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Watchful Giant and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Watchful Giant has restrictions

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