Wayward Giant MTG Card

Wayward Giant presents a two-for-one threat, trading effectively on the battlefield and providing card advantage. Menace ability pressures opponents, potentially speeding up the game for Wayward Giant controllers. Deck consideration is key—compare Wayward Giant with other five-mana options for strategy efficiency.

Kaladesh (KLD)
2016-09-30 - Number 139

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 1101

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-139

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Giant
Abilities	Menace
Power	4
Toughness	5

Text of card

Menace

"The giants follow the flow of aether, and twice a year it leads them through here. Lesson learned. More clearance is needed." —Sram, senior edificer

Cards like Wayward Giant

In Magic: The Gathering, the Wayward Giant fits into the niche of moderate-cost creatures that deliver a solid punch. Comparable creatures include the likes of Gathan Raiders, which also carries a formidable power and toughness. Much like the Wayward Giant, Gathan Raiders requires a substantial mana investment for its stats but lacks the menace ability that gives the Wayward Giant a strategic edge in terms of being able to bypass blockers more easily.

Another creature that echoes the Wayward Giant’s essence is the Shatterskull Giant. While it shares a similar mana cost and power, it is slightly more fragile in terms of toughness. However, it compensates with haste, allowing for immediate impact on the game board upon casting, unlike the Wayward Giant which may offer a sturdier blocker but doesn’t provide the same quick offensive advantage.

Analyzing these options, it becomes clear that Wayward Giant occupies a balanced space in terms of cost, power, toughness, and the added benefit of menace. This combination ensures the Wayward Giant is a solid choice for players looking for a reliable and moderately priced powerhouse in their red creature arsenal.

Cards similar to Wayward Giant by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Wayward Giant, your presence on the battlefield is bolstered owing to its formidable size, making it an obstacle that opponents must address. This could translate to a two-for-one scenario where it could trade with more than one of an opponent’s smaller creatures or force the use of multiple removal spells, indirectly leading to card advantage for you.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly providing resource acceleration, Wayward Giant’s potential benefit comes from its Menace ability. The Menace ability makes it harder for the opponent to block, potentially accelerating the game for you by applying pressure and reducing the opportunity cost of attacking versus further developing your board state.

Instant Speed: Although Wayward Giant does not operate at instant speed, understanding when your cards affect the game is crucial. In this case, the card competes for a slot in your deck with other five-mana spells which may offer instant speed interaction. Knowing when to deploy your Wayward Giant effectively can help conserve resources like instant speed removal or counterspells for the most opportune moments, thus indirectly supporting a strategy that values instant speed plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Wayward Giant doesn’t specifically ask for discarding as part of its casting cost, managing hand resources effectively is essential when playing larger creatures. Holding onto the card until you have enough mana can lead to suboptimal plays if your hand becomes congested.

Specific Mana Cost: Wayward Giant comes with a mana cost that includes two specific red symbols, making it less flexible for multicolor decks. This can deter players from integrating it into anything other than predominantly red decks, reducing its overall adaptability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana cost, including specific color requirements, Wayward Giant is on the higher end of the mana curve. There are creatures of similar or lower cost that could provide equal or more immediate impact on the battlefield, potentially making Wayward Giant a less appealing option when deckbuilding.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wayward Giant is a flexible addition to any MTG collection, effortlessly sliding into red-based aggro or midrange decks. Its stats are robust, and its Menace ability ensures it remains a relevant threat on the battlefield that requires strategic blocking by your opponent.

Combo Potential: While the Giant doesn’t directly feed into combos, its force on the board can tie up resources, allowing you to execute your combo plays with less interference. Plus, it’s an excellent target for buffs or equipment that can turn it into a formidable win condition.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors large creatures, Wayward Giant can play a crucial role. Its ability to dodge singular blockers means it can often push through for damage against an unprepared opponent, making it a stalwart contender in specific deck configurations.

How to beat

Wayward Giant is a formidable creature card that presents a challenge to overcome in Magic: The Gathering. With its notable power and Menace ability, this giant demands a strategic approach. Menace ensures that at least two creatures must block it, making it tricky for your opponent to deal with if they have a slim board presence.

To effectively counter the Wayward Giant, consider utilizing removal spells that can bypass the Menace ability. Direct damage spells, like Lightning Strike, or unconditional removals, such as Murder, can take down the giant without the need to engage in combat. In the realm of Blue, spells like Unsummon can be a temporary solution, sending Wayward Giant back to its owner’s hand and disrupting their mana curve. Playing around the Giant’s weaknesses, such as its higher casting cost, allows for a window to build a commanding presence on the board or save necessary removal spells for the right moment.

Ultimately, while Wayward Giant presents an intimidating obstacle, it also offers a learning curve on the importance of resource management and strategic planning in MTG. By selecting the right tactics and cards, players can contain the giant’s impact and continue to press their advantage.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wayward Giant MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Mystery Booster, 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 Wayward Giant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wayward Giant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-09-30	Kaladesh	KLD	139	2015	Normal	Black	Filip Burburan
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	1101	2015	Normal	Black	Filip Burburan
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	KLD-139	2015	Normal	Black	Filip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wayward Giant has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal