Mosstodon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Plant Elephant
Released	2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set name	Shards of Alara
Set code	ALA
Power	5
Toughness	3
Number	139
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Paolo Parente

Key Takeaways

Mosstodon’s trample granting ability breaks through defensive barriers, tipping combat in your favor.
Cost-efficient for green decks, Mosstodon accelerates your game plan without compromising resource allocation.
Instant speed activation of Mosstodon’s trample can surprise opponents, shifting combat outcomes on the fly.

Text of card

: Target creature with power 5 or greater gains trample until end of turn.

Whether gargantuans are the manifested will of Progenitus or simply the result of overabundant resources is moot when a herd of them is thundering at you.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mosstodon stands out as a surprise player on the field, capable of swinging the scales by turning any of your creatures into a force to be reckoned with. Its ability to grant Trample until end of turn can lead to significant breakthroughs in board stalemates, effectively giving you the upper hand in combat scenarios.

Resource Acceleration: Its modest mana cost integrates seamlessly into green-centric decks that prioritize growth and swift deployment. By efficiently utilizing mana, it allows for robust play patterns, propelling your game forward without unnecessary delay.

Instant Speed: The ability to provide instant speed versatility is a serious pro for Mosstodon. This feature gives you the tactical advantage of adaptability during combat, catching opponents off guard and enabling decisive turns that could pivot the direction of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Mosstodon offers stout power on the battlefield, it demands a card be discarded to activate its trample ability. This cost trims down your hand, potentially leaving you at a card disadvantage – a situation savvy players know to avoid unless the tactical gain is undeniable.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Mosstodon necessitates a precise mana arrangement: one green and four generic mana. This requirement can be restrictive in multicolored decks that need a balanced mana base to smoothly execute their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating five mana to summon Mosstodon might not always align with an efficient mana curve. In many game scenarios, players could opt for creatures or spells that offer more impactful effects or greater flexibility at a lower cost threshold, raising the question of opportunity costs when including Mosstodon in your deck.

Reasons to Include Mosstodon in Your Collection

Versatility: Mosstodon’s ability to grant virtually any creature the power to trample over its opponents can be a game-changer in numerous deck styles. Whether you’re running an aggressive green stompy deck or a midrange setup, Mosstodon ensures your heavy hitters make a significant impact.

Combo Potential: With Mosstodon in play, you can craft some surprising combos. Enabling smaller creatures to punch above their weight class or helping a larger, usually more cumbersome creature, push through those last points of damage can turn the tides of a match unexpectedly.

Meta-Relevance: Given that combat-focused strategies never really go out of style in casual circles and are often prominent in various meta environments, having a card like Mosstodon can provide an edge. It’s especially useful when blockers clog the battlefield and you need to maintain momentum to secure a win.

How to beat

Mosstodon is an intriguing creature card that features in many green decks within Magic: The Gathering. A notable ability of Mosstodon is to enable another target creature with power 5 or greater to gain trample until end of turn, which can often lead to decisive combat scenarios. As such, when facing a deck that includes this card, strategically managing the battlefield becomes crucial.

One effective method of countering Mosstodon hinges on removal spells and keeping its ability inactive. Destroy or exile removal cards such as Path to Exile or Murder can effectively deal with it before the trample ability becomes problematic. Another strategy involves limiting the number of creatures with power 5 or greater your opponent controls to prevent Mosstodon’s ability from impacting the game, using board control spells like Wrath of God to keep the playing field clear. Additionally, it’s essential to have blockers ready for when Mosstodon’s ability gets activated, or leveraging cards that can manipulate combat outcomes, such as Maze of Ith, to negate attacks.

Overall, while Mosstodon can present a threat by enhancing other creatures’ combat capabilities, a well-considered approach using removal, board control, and smart blockers can successfully keep this card in check.

Cards like Mosstodon

Mosstodon is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for granting temporary trample ability. When we scout the MTG landscape for comparable effects, we come across the likes of Brawn, which offers a more permanent solution to the trample dilemma – giving trample to all your creatures as long as it’s in the graveyard with a requirement.

Another card with a shared theme is Primal Bellow. While not a creature, this spell dramatically increases a single creature’s power, often ending the game if trample can be utilised properly. Mosstodon, in contrast, requires an additional green mana and a sacrifice to provide trample, making it a situational choice dependent on the board state.

Assessing similar abilities shows that Mosstodon serves a utility role within creature decks that benefit from momentary power spikes. Despite the activation cost, its ability to enable trample at a critical moment can be a game-changer, securing its niche in MTG strategies that capitalize on combat tricks and creature synergy.

Cards similar to Mosstodon by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mosstodon MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Mosstodon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mosstodon 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 Mosstodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2008-10-01	The ability checks the targeted creature’s power twice: when the creature becomes the target, and when the ability resolves. Once the ability resolves, it will continue to apply to the affected creature no matter what its power may become later in the turn.