Altar Golem MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Trample
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Power	*
Toughness	*
Number	166
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Rob Alexander

Key Takeaways

Game-changing board presence can yield significant card economy advantages for Altar Golem wielders.
Resource acceleration is key to Altar Golem’s dominance, especially with creature-heavy strategies.
Instant speed combos can unexpectedly turn Altar Golem into a surprise powerhouse on the battlefield.

Text of card

Trample Altar Golem's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures in play. Altar Golem doesn't untap during its controller's untap step. Tap five untapped creatures you control: Untap Altar Golem.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Altar Golem’s formidable stature on the battlefield can quickly become a game-changer, especially in matches where board presence is crucial. Its sheer size often necessitates that opponents expend multiple resources to handle it, potentially granting you a significant advantage in terms of card economy.

Resource Acceleration: This mechanical behemoth shines in decks that excel in token generation. The ability of Altar Golem to tap and untap in concert with the number of creatures you control turns it into an unpredictable force that can adjust to the ebb and flow of your creature base, providing an edge in resource acceleration and enabling devastating turns.

Instant Speed: Although Altar Golem itself isn’t an instant, its variable power and toughness make it a formidable threat at any time. In combination with cards that can flash creatures onto the battlefield or untap your creatures at instant speed, this Golem transforms into a surprise powerhouse capable of overwhelming an unsuspecting opponent when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Altar Golem demands the sacrifice of other creatures to unlock its potential, which might leave you at a disadvantage if your board presence is weak or if you’re leveraging a strategy that doesn’t support creature sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: Welding a hefty mana cost that’s split across multiple colors, Altar Golem can be a challenging card to play, especially for decks that don’t generate a diverse mana base easily or quickly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that requires at least seven mana, the Altar Golem may enter the battlefield late, potentially after your opponent has developed a strong presence or defense that diminishes the impact of its formidable power/toughness ratio.

Reasons to Include Altar Golem in Your Collection

Versatility: Altar Golem adjusts its power and toughness based on the number of creatures you control, making it a formidable asset in decks that swarm the battlefield with tokens or lots of creatures.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature thrives in synergy-driven strategies. It can pair with cards that untap creatures to grow rapidly in size or to use as a recurring blocker, catering to inventive deck-building approaches.

Meta-Relevance: Within the right deck, Altar Golem becomes highly relevant, particularly when creature-based strategies dominate the meta. Its ability to become a colossal threat makes it a solid inclusion for players aiming to compete with the ever-changing dynamics of the game.

How to beat Altar Golem

Altar Golem presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, rising as a potent force when the number of creatures you control is high. To tip the scales against this formidable entity, it’s crucial to limit its ability to become monstrous. This could involve keeping creature counts low, either through board control or by setting up strategic blocks to prevent your opponent from flooding the field. Cards that can manipulate or clear the board are key tools in your arsenal here.

Counterspells and removal options also come into play, targeting the Golem itself or the spells that proliferate creatures which could awaken its true power. Additionally, combat tricks to avoid its trample or ways to swiftly alter life totals can turn the tide of the game. With this strategy, you keep Altar Golem from transforming into an overwhelming threat, smoothing your path to victory.

Ultimately, understanding the mechanics that fuel Altar Golem’s strength allows for the construction of a deck designed to undermine its advantages. By being proactive and responsive to the evolving state of play, you can ensure that Altar Golem remains just a towering ambition rather than a concrete problem.

Cards like Altar Golem

Altar Golem is a unique entity in the vast array of creatures in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It is akin to creatures like Myr Enforcer, which also takes advantage of a reduced casting cost based on certain conditions – the number of artifacts you control. However, Altar Golem has a dynamic strength and toughness determined by the number of creatures you control, setting it apart with its potential to be a formidable force on the battlefield.

In comparison, Tangle Golem presents a familiar cost-reduction theme, but it’s specifically tied to the number of Forests you control, making it more predictable than the ever-changing Altar Golem. Then we have Verdurous Gearhulk, which not only presents a sizable body but also distributes +1/+1 counters across other creatures, unlike Altar Golem, which stands alone in its growth.

To sum it up, in the realm of creatures with scaling power levels, Altar Golem stands out with its unique ability to capitalize on the swarm strategy. This makes it a highly situation-dependent card, often swinging games in your favor by sheer force when you command a vast army of creatures.

Cards similar to Altar Golem by color, type and mana cost

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions

Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Altar Golem MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Altar Golem and other MTG cards: