Akoum Boulderfoot MTG Card


Akoum Boulderfoot - Rise of the Eldrazi
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Giant Warrior
Released2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set nameRise of the Eldrazi
Set codeROE
Power 4
Toughness 5
Number134
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Key Takeaways

  1. Akoum Boulderfoot’s entrance ability can shift game momentum by removing creatures or damaging players.
  2. It’s best synergized with mana ramping strategies to capitalize on its game-changing entry effect.
  3. Despite its power, the card’s specific mana cost and high investment pose certain deck-building challenges.

Text of card

When Akoum Boulderfoot enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

"If you're in Akoum and you glimpse a shadow overhead, the worst thing you can do is duck." —Chadir the Navigator


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you summon Akoum Boulderfoot, it allows you to remove an opponent’s creature upon entry thanks to its enters-the-battlefield ability. This can potentially swing the game in your favor by dealing damage equivalent to its power to target creature or player, bolstering your board presence while disrupting your opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: While Akoum Boulderfoot itself doesn’t offer direct mana acceleration, its six mana cost is justifiable by the impact it has on the game. Its immediate board effect can be seen as a resource acceleration, leading to quicker game closure when played at the right moment. To get the most value, pairing it with cards that ramp up your mana can be particularly effective.

Instant Speed: Although Akoum Boulderfoot is a creature card and doesn’t have instant speed, its effect upon entering the battlefield can be a game-changer during your main phases. It should be noted, however, that strategies involving blinking or bouncing creatures to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects could simulate instant-speed interaction by using those effects during an opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Akoum Boulderfoot compels you to have specific board settings to capitalize on its strength. Without a creature to sacrifice or a satisfactory discard, its full potential cannot be harnessed, putting you at a possible resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes triple red mana, Akoum Boulderfoot may prove challenging to summon outside of mono-red decks. This dependency restricts its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a steep six mana cost for a single creature, Akoum Boulderfoot is an investment that demands careful deck construction to ensure its playability. In the current metagame, players might find other creatures or spells that provide better board impact for the mana spent.


Reasons to Include Akoum Boulderfoot in Your Collection

Versatility: Akoum Boulderfoot is a flexible addition to any deck focusing on damage-dealing abilities and big creature plays. Its presence can be a game-changer in the right moment, especially in formats where board presence and creature size matter.

Combo Potential: With its unique entrance effect, Akoum Boulderfoot can be the lynchpin in combos that rely on dealing direct damage to creatures or players. It complements strategies that exploit entering the battlefield triggers or that require a certain amount of damage to be dealt to unlock their full potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that tends toward slower, more creature-heavy battles, Akoum Boulderfoot can swing games in your favor by removing blockers or pesky creatures that stand in your way, while also providing a hefty six points of power on the board.


How to beat

Akoum Boulderfoot may seem intimidating with its original enter-the-battlefield ability to deal damage to any target, offering a unique removal aspect for red decks in Magic: The Gathering. This giant, however, can still be easily outmaneuvered. To effectively counter Akoum Boulderfoot, consider using instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push that can eliminate it before its triggered ability resolves, minimizing its impact on the battlefield.

Moreover, control strategies are highly effective. Counterspells like Counterspell itself or Mana Leak can prevent Akoum Boulderfoot from ever touching the field. For creature-based strategies, chump blocking with expendable creatures will also work, as its lack of trample means even the smallest of blockers can mitigate its attack. It’s all about staying one step ahead and keeping your options open to respond to this hefty six-mana creature.

Remember, the key to beating powerful cards like Akoum Boulderfoot lies in anticipation and resource management. Keep your interaction tools ready, and the towering giant will fall, paving the way for you to seize the advantage and lead your deck to victory.


Cards like Akoum Boulderfoot

Akoum Boulderfoot holds a solid ground in the suite of red creature spells within MTG. It shares the battlefield with other giants such as Inferno Titan that also delivers instant impact upon entering the fray. Inferno Titan brings a dynamic edge, offering its controller the ability to distribute three damage as desired among creatures or players which surpasses Akoum Boulderfoot’s single-target six damage to a creature. However, Akoum Boulderfoot does not require the red mana commitment that Inferno Titan does.

Valley Maker is another card that mirrors the functionality of Akoum Boulderfoot, capable of removing creatures upon its arrival. However, Valley Maker’s split damage between two target creatures can be less potent compared to Akoum Boulderfoot’s focused damage strike. The difference in mana cost also makes Akoum Boulderfoot a more feasible option for decks running fewer lands.

Rounding out the comparison is Hostility, an intriguing creature that converts noncombat damage into 3/1 red Elemental creature tokens. While Hostility doesn’t offer direct removal, it provides a wider presence on the battlefield. Akoum Boulderfoot’s immediate removal capability, though, can be crucial for disrupting opponents’ strategies and maintaining pressure.

Inferno Titan - MTG Card versions
Hostility - MTG Card versions
Inferno Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)
Hostility - Lorwyn (LRW)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Akoum Boulderfoot MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Akoum Boulderfoot and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Akoum Boulderfoot has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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