Tuktuk Grunts MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior Ally |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Released | 2009-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Zendikar |
| Set code | ZEN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 152 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mike Bierek |
Key Takeaways
- Tuktuk Grunts can indirectly give you card advantage by forcing opponents to deplete their board.
- Despite not producing mana, it boosts battlefield presence as a pseudo acceleration of resources.
- Haste allows it to immediately impact the game, likening it to an instant-speed effect.
Text of card
Haste Whenever Tuktuk Grunts or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Tuktuk Grunts.
Goblins are more aggressive with a crowd to cheer them on.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tuktuk Grunts might not offer direct card draw, yet it enhances hand quality by putting pressure on the opponent’s resources. Every attack requiring a blocker depletes your adversary’s board presence which indirectly contributes to sustaining your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although this goblin warrior doesn’t generate treasures or mana, it can boost your battlefield presence significantly. This rally to your army can be perceived as a form of resource acceleration, optimizing your existing assets to push forward.
Instant Speed: While Tuktuk Grunts operates at sorcery speed, its Haste ability compensates by allowing it to swing in right away. This means you can play it when your mana’s open, essentially using it like an instant in the sense it can immediately affect the game state upon hitting the field.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tuktuk Grunts enters the battlefield, demanding the sacrifice of another Goblin. This can put players in a tight spot, especially if their board presence is already weakened.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two red mana, Tuktuk Grunts can be a challenge to cast in multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or even remaining a dead card in hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana, the Grunts’ investment is significant. Players may find themselves considering their options, as other creatures or spells of equal cost could provide greater impact and versatility in the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tuktuk Grunts is an adaptable card that can be a beneficial addition to different red-based decks. With its haste ability, it provides immediate pressure on the board, fitting into aggressive strategies that aim to end games quickly.
Combo Potential: The Grunts synergize well with strategies that capitalize on creature count, such as those involving the “battle cry” mechanic or effects that trigger when creatures attack. This allows for building layers of offensive capability that can overwhelm an opponent.
Meta-Relevance: As the game landscape shifts, certain creature-heavy strategies might become more prominent. Tuktuk Grunts holds its ground, pun intended, especially in a meta where the tempo and quick damage output can pivot the game in your favor.
How to beat Tuktuk Grunts
Tuktuk Grunts stands out in MTG with its unique ability to haste and grow stronger with each fallen comrade through its echo and haste abilities. When facing such a card, it is crucial to strike a balance between removing it quickly and managing your resources effectively. Timing is key; allowing Tuktuk Grunts to gain strength can be a critical mistake. Consider using instant-speed removal such as Murder or Path to Exile to dispatch the Grunts before they have a chance to capitalize on their echo ability.
Board control spells such as Pyroclasm or Day of Judgment can also be strategic choices to counter the Grunts and their potential allies in one fell swoop. Additionally, since Tuktuk Grunts rely on creature deaths to power up, employing graveyard disruption tactics like Tormod’s Crypt can prevent this card from gaining too much momentum. When playing against Tuktuk Grunts, always weigh the potential risks and maintain a defensive stance to ensure they don’t overrun your game strategy.
In essence, thwarting Tuktuk Grunts requires a combination of prompt removal, strategic board wipes, and careful monitoring of the graveyard. Being proactive and keeping the board clear of threats will prevent Tuktuk Grunts from ever becoming a significant problem in your matches.
Cards like Tuktuk Grunts
Tuktuk Grunts is a unique card in the world of MTG due to its Haste attribute and the Echo cost it carries. It can be paralleled with cards like Goblin Bushwhacker, which also offers an immediate impact on the battlefield thanks to its Haste trait. Nonetheless, Goblin Bushwhacker stands out with its ability to give other creatures a temporary power boost, making it a potential game-changer during aggressive plays.
Another comparable card is Raging Goblin, a staple for many red decks seeking swift damage due to its immediate availability for attack. While it lacks the Echo feature found in Tuktuk Grunts, this simplicity can be advantageous for straightforward strategies. On the flip side, the Grunts have the potential to make a second impact due to the Echo, posing a dilemma for the opponent on whether to address it immediately or risk another wave of damage.
In essence, comparing Tuktuk Grunts to its counterparts reveals its fitting role in decks that prize haste and repeated threats. While there are other cards that offer either immediate speed or lingering threats, Tuktuk Grunts combines both, albeit with an Echo cost that requires careful planning.
Cards similar to Tuktuk Grunts by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tuktuk Grunts MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Grunts and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tuktuk Grunts has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tuktuk Grunts card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | This ability triggers on this creature entering the battlefield, so it will enter the battlefield with its unmodified power and toughness, and then receive a +1/+1 counter a short time later. It does not enter the battlefield with the +1/+1 counter already on it. |
