Cunning Giant MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Giant
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	93
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeffrey R. Busch

Key Takeaways

Card draw potential makes Cunning Giant a valuable resource in maintaining card advantage over opponents.
Casting the Cunning Giant demands a precise mana setup, potentially limiting its deck compatibility.
Versatility and meta-relevance ensure this giant stays a formidable choice in various MTG deck strategies.

Text of card

If Cunning Giant attacks and isn't blocked, you may choose to have it deal its damage to any one of your opponent's creatures instead of to him or her.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cunning Giant card actively contributes to card advantage by letting you potentially draw additional cards when it deals damage to an opponent. This feature is crucial when you are aiming to outpace your opponent in the resource game.

Resource Acceleration: As a creature that can potentially provide resource acceleration, Cunning Giant allows you to not only develop your board presence but also to ramp up your available mana, enabling you to cast more impactful spells sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: While Cunning Giant itself may not be an instant, its presence on the board could interact favorably with other instant speed spells in your library. By forcing your opponent to deal with a robust threat, you can maneuver the game’s momentum to your advantage, casting spells at instant speed in response to your opponent’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One significant drawback of the Cunning Giant is the prerequisite of discarding a card to utilize certain abilities. This can result in a deficit when it comes to hand advantage, hindering your ability to maintain pressure or respond to your opponent’s threats effectively throughout the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The Cunning Giant’s casting cost demands a precise combination of mana, which can often be tricky to muster, especially early in the game. This requirement may restrain the Giant’s inclusion to specific deck archetypes that can accommodate such mana requirements, potentially limiting its overall versatility in various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side, the Cunning Giant faces stiff competition from other creatures in the same cost bracket. Players must consider if its stats and abilities justify the investment, particularly when other creatures at a similar mana cost might provide immediate impact or have less restrictive activation conditions.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cunning Giant fits into a variety of decks within the MTG universe. Its ability to perform well in both aggressive and control strategies allows for broad use in player collections.

Combo Potential: This card, when paired with other cards that capitalize on creature size or abilities that trigger on creature cast, can serve as an engine to power up an array of impactful combos.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the current dynamics of gameplay, Cunning Giant can be a game-changer. Its adaptability makes it a strong contender against a swath of popular decks, keeping your collection current and competitive.

How to beat

Confronting a Cunning Giant in the world of MTG can be an imposing challenge during play. This colossal creature often demands a strategy that revolves around evasion or removal. Players might lean towards spells that exile or that can bypass the Giant’s formidable strength. Bouncing it back to the opponent’s hand can be effective as well, especially if you’re able to capitalize on your opponent’s tapped out lands and launch a counterattack.

Alternatively, playing with creatures that have deathtouch or packing your deck with ample board control options can keep the Giant in check. Ensnaring spells that don’t allow it to untap or simply reducing its power and toughness through various enchantments or instants before it can overtake the battlefield also proves to be effective strategies. It’s a balancing act of knowing when to hold back and when to go all in to avoid letting the Cunning Giant dominate the game.

Ultimately, overcoming the Cunning Giant requires foresight and a deck that’s well-equipped to handle such threats. Precision timing and smart card choices will disrupt your opponent’s plans and lead you to victory. A Cunning Giant may be a force to reckon with, but with the right approach, it can be subdued.

Cards like Cunning Giant

Cunning Giant stands as an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, drawing close comparisons with other formidable giants on the battlefield. Like the Frost Giant, Cunning Giant presents an impressive body to dominate the combat phase, but it also incorporates an additional layer of utility with its distinct ability to target opponent plans and strategies. Frost Giant, while sturdy, doesn’t offer the same direct disruption.

Looking at another comparable card, Cloudcrown Oak, provides vigilance and can act as a strong defensive option. However, Cunning Giant’s tactical advantage allows you to pivot seamlessly between offense and defense, making it more flexible in various game situations. Looming Shade is one more relative in terms of power flexibility, offering the ability to grow stronger with mana investment. Still, unlike Cunning Giant, it demands constant resources to be effective, potentially leaving you vulnerable elsewhere.

To summarize, the Cunning Giant delivers a compelling mix of power and strategic disruption, making it a strong contender on the field against other creatures with similar cost and stats, yet hosting a unique role with its specialty in affecting opponents’ gameplay. This characteristic anchors its place as a valuable asset in many MTG decks.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cunning Giant MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Cunning Giant and other MTG cards: