Tarmogoyf MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Lhurgoyf
Power *
Toughness 1+*

Key Takeaways

  1. Tarmogoyf is a powerhouse in Modern format due to its ability to quickly become a large creature for a low mana cost.
  2. Its strength scales with the variety of card types in all graveyards, rewarding players for strategic deck building and play.
  3. Despite its simplicity, Tarmogoyf’s effectiveness makes it a staple in various deck archetypes and remains highly sought after by players.

Text of card

Tarmogoyf's power is equal to the number of card types among cards in all graveyards and its toughness is equal to that number plus 1. (The card types are artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, planeswalker, sorcery, and tribal.)


 


Pros of Tarmogoyf

Card Advantage: Tarmogoyf, due to its set cost, has the ability to be a large threat early in the game. This allows you to pressure your opponent into resources to deal with it, achieving advantage.

Resource Acceleration: With Tarmogoyf, the earlier it’s placed on the board, the more value it provides. As each turn progresses, the number of card types residing in all graveyards generally increases, thus escalating Tarmogoyf’s power and toughness at a rapid pace without the requirement of additional mana.

Instant Speed: While Tarmogoyf isn’t an instant itself, it thrives in an environment with plenty of them. Spells at instant speed help fill up the graveyard quickly, boosting Tarmogoyf’s strength and resilience rapidly, making it a formidable creature that warrants instantaneous responses.


Cons of Tarmogoyf

Discard Requirement: Despite its high power, Tarmogoyf does not have an ability that would allow you to discard a card. If your strategy relies heavily on card discard mechanics, this might not suit your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Tarmogoyf requires a green and a colorless mana. This specification confines its usage only to decks with a green aspect, limiting all-color and mono-colored deck users from exploiting its potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Tarmogoyf’s power and toughness depend on the cards in all graveyards. Factoring in the variability of graveyard content, chances are other two-mana creatures might guarantee more reliable outcomes for your gameplay.


Reasons to Include Tarmogoyf in Your Collection

Versatility: Tarmogoyf’s strength lies in its power and toughness, which are equal to the number of card types among cards in all graveyards. This makes this beast an adaptable fit for many deck archetypes, from mid-range to control, even ones that focus on graveyard manipulation.

Combo Potential: With Tarmogoyf, you can consistently play off the cards in all graveyards. Combining Tarmogoyf with thoughtseize, for instance, simultaneously disrupts opponent’s plan while fueling the growth of Tarmogoyf.

Meta-Relevance: Tarmogoyf continues to make a significant impact in the game, especially in Modern format, frequently featuring in competitive decks. Its strength and adaptability make it a terror to reckon with, keeping it relevant in the ever-changing MTG meta.


Similar Cards

The eminent Tarmogoyf is an iconic creature in MTG, and its sheer power level has led to various comparisons with similar cards. Such an instance is Scavenging Ooze, another green creature. Both rely on graveyards to gain power, but the Ooze has added utility by selectively exiling particular cards. It offers a degree of control Tarmogoyf lacks.

Alongside, there’s another powerful card, the Gurmag Angler. With the delve mechanic, the Angler can compete with the Tarmogoyf on cost efficiency, often coming into play earlier and offering a fixed power and toughness. Nonetheless, Tarmogoyf’s strength lies in its variable power that can surpass the Angler.

Lastly, we compare Tarmogoyf with Death’s Shadow. The Shadow is a powerful threat, potentially even more robust than Tarmogoyf, but it revolves around the player’s life total. Unlike Tarmogoyf, which gains power from the graveyards of both you and your opponent, Death’s Shadow requires a significant life loss on your end.

All said, Tarmogoyf still possesses prime value among its peers in MTG. Its ability to rapidly grow in strength balanced with its cost efficiency makes it a staple in the green creature pool.


How to Beat Tarmogoyf

Tarmogoyf, a powerful creature card in the MTG universe, always adds tension to the board. The distinct feature of Tarmogoyf is its capability to grow stronger based on the card types present in all graveyards. However, dealing with Tarmogoyf is not impossible if you employ a handful of right strategies.

One way to outmaneuver Tarmogoyf is to use graveyard cleaning cards such as Rest in Peace, Relic of Progenitus, or Scavenging Ooze. These cards deplete graveyards, reducing the power and toughness of Tarmogoyf. In addition, landing creatures that are more substantial than Tarmogoyf can also be a winning strategy. Having creatures like Wurmcoil Engine or Death’s Shadow can counterbalance the presence of Tarmogoyf on the battlefield.

Moreover, utilize spells that exile creatures rather than send them to the graveyard. Path to Exile, for instance, can be an excellent tool against Tarmogoyf. It not only removes Tarmogoyf from the board but prevents it from ending in the graveyard, avoiding fueling any potential future copies.

In conclusion, beating Tarmogoyf in MTG requires an understanding of the card’s strengths and exploiting its weaknesses through strategic plays. Remember, sometimes the best defense is a brilliant offense.


Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the rich landscapes of Magic the Gathering requires strategy, insight, and a bit of adventure. Whether you’re planning your next big win or fine-tuning your deck for maximum impact, there’s always room to elevate your game. As you continue to delve into the MTG universe, remember that it’s not just about the single triumphs but the continuous journey towards mastery. We invite you to keep exploring this fascinating world, discovering new techniques, and unearthing valuable cards to ensure your next match is more than just a game, but a Big Score. Ready to level up your play? Join us to learn more and become the ultimate MTG champion.


Cards like Tarmogoyf

The eminent Tarmogoyf is an iconic creature in MTG, and its sheer power level has led to various comparisons with similar cards. Such an instance is Scavenging Ooze, another green creature. Both rely on graveyards to gain power, but the Ooze has added utility by selectively exiling particular cards. It offers a degree of control Tarmogoyf lacks.

Alongside, there’s another powerful card, the Gurmag Angler. With the delve mechanic, the Angler can compete with the Tarmogoyf on cost efficiency, often coming into play earlier and offering a fixed power and toughness. Nonetheless, Tarmogoyf’s strength lies in its variable power that can surpass the Angler.

Lastly, we compare Tarmogoyf with Death’s Shadow. The Shadow is a powerful threat, potentially even more robust than Tarmogoyf, but it revolves around the player’s life total. Unlike Tarmogoyf, which gains power from the graveyards of both you and your opponent, Death’s Shadow requires a significant life loss on your end.

All said, Tarmogoyf still possesses prime value among its peers in MTG. Its ability to rapidly grow in strength balanced with its cost efficiency makes it a staple in the green creature pool.

Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gurmag Angler - MTG Card versions
Death's Shadow - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Gurmag Angler - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Death's Shadow - Worldwake (WWK)

Cards similar to Tarmogoyf by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
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Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
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Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
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Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Oran-Rief Survivalist - Zendikar (ZEN)
Vine Trellis - Duel Decks: Garruk vs. Liliana (DDD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tarmogoyf MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Tarmogoyf and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tarmogoyf Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 153futurenormalblackJustin Murray
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1662003normalblackRyan Barger
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1652015normalblackRyan Barger
42017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1412015normalblackRyan Barger
52018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 1872015normalblackFilip Burburan
62020-09-26The ListPLST FUT-153futurenormalblackJustin Murray
72021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 2352015normalblackJustin Murray
82022-07-28Historic Anthology 6HA6 72015normalblackFilip Burburan
92024-03-08FalloutPIP 8772015normalblackRobin Olausson
102024-03-08FalloutPIP 3492015normalblackRobin Olausson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tarmogoyf has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tarmogoyf card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2021-03-19 If an instant or sorcery spell deals damage to Tarmogoyf or lowers its toughness, that spell is put into its owner’s graveyard before state-based actions are performed. If that card is the first of its type to enter a graveyard, it will raise Tarmogoyf’s toughness before the game checks to see if Tarmogoyf dies.
2021-03-19 Tarmogoyf counts card types, not cards. If the only card in all graveyards is a single artifact creature, Tarmogoyf will be 2/3. If the only cards in all graveyards are ten artifact creatures, Tarmogoyf will still be 2/3.
2021-03-19 The ability that defines Tarmogoyf’s power and toughness works in all zones, not just the battlefield. If Tarmogoyf is in your graveyard, it will count itself.
2021-03-19 The card types that can appear on cards in a graveyard are artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, planeswalker, sorcery, and tribal. Legendary, basic, and snow are supertypes, not card types.

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