The Ultra-Strong Creatures in Magic: The Gathering - Beyond Basic Power and Toughness
When discussing the strongest creatures in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game, it is important to look beyond just power (power and toughness) into the nuanced strengths and unique abilities that allow certain cards to dominate. In this article, we will explore three of the most formidable cards: Griselbrand, Emrakul, and Blightsteel Colossus, as well as the powerful Deathrite Shaman and Batterskull. Each of these cards offers a unique strategy and power that can turn the tides of a game.
Is Griselbrand the Strongest Creature?
Despite its impressive physical attributes, Griselbrand might not necessarily be the strongest creature in terms of base stats. Its raw power and toughness of 10/10, combined with an optional 7/7, certainly pack a punch. However, what truly sets Griselbrand apart is its ability to return 7 cards from the top of your library to your hand and deal 7 damage to your opponent. This raw card advantage and life gain make it a force to be reckoned with.
Why Griselbrand Is a Game-Changer
Early Deployment and Free Cards: Unlike other powerful creatures, Griselbrand can be played earlier in the game and triggers its effect multiple times. This can provide a significant advantage in terms of card selection and board control.
Instant Speed and Flexibility: Griselbrand's ability is instant-speed, which means it can be used even when your opponent has presented an interrupt. This flexibility allows for quick and strategic card draws and life gain.
Life Gain and Sustainability: The ability to gain life through Griselbrand's lifelink and the fact that it has no limit on the number of times it can be used are crucial for maintaining health and card advantage.
While Emrakul, Titan of Devouring and Blightsteel Colossus are also incredibly strong, Griselbrand's accessibility and the combination of card advantage and life gain make it a top contender for long-term wins.
Emrakul: The Erosion Titan
Emrakul, The Aeons Torn is one of the most powerful creatures in the game. If you manage to hard-cast Emrakul, the effect can’t be countered, and you gain an entire extra game turn. This extra turn is crucial because Emrakul gets to attack again, possibly with haste, dealing a massive amount of damage.
How Emrakul Impacts Gameplay
Extra Turn and Haste: An extra turn with haste means you gain 12 permanents off the board and deal 30 damage, which is almost certain to win the game. Even with double strike and haste, the damage output can be as high as 60.
Deferred Turn: However, hard-casting Emrakul requires a significant investment, and you often need to cheat it into play using multiple cards, which leaves less resources for other strategies.
Shuffle to Library: The fact that Emrakul shuffles into the library limits the number of times you can cheat it into play, making it less flexible than cards like Griselbrand.
While hard-casting Emrakul is a potent strategy, the need for a complex set-up can make it less accessible for , when you do manage to cast it, the result is often overwhelming.
Blightsteel Colossus: An Impregnable Fortress
Blightsteel Colossus is widely regarded as one of the game's most formidable creatures. When paired with a 1-mana Flash enchantment, the Colossus becomes a 8/8 or 10/10 with double strike, able to deal 10 poison counters in a single swing. Even without haste, the opponent has to exile it to deal with it, which is a significant drawback for them.
Why Blightsteel Is an Unstoppable Force
Damage Output and Death: The dual threat of dealing massive damage and being able to respawn due to Batterskull is a unique and powerful combination.
Instant Respawn: Batterskull can be returned to the hand and re-cast, providing a continuous source of threats and defense.
Lifelink and Vigilance: These abilities provide protection against aggressive decks, making Blightsteel Colossus a formidable defensive and offensive card.
Unlike Emrakul, Blightsteel Colossus is a creature that can be easily controlled with spells and enchantments, making it a versatile and powerful card in a wide range of strategies.
Deathrite Shaman: A Flexible and Powerful 1-Drop
Deathrite Shaman is often overshadowed by more powerful cards, but it is one of the most powerful 1-drops in the game. With a mere 1/2 stats, the card's abilities make it a game-changer. It provides mana disruption, graveyard hate, and the ability to deal 2 nearly unpreventable damage with either color of mana.
Why Deathrite Shaman Is a Must-Have
Mana Disruption and Graveyard Manipulation: The Mettle ability disrupts the opponent's plans and limits their options, while the Scry 1 and Exile Target Card abilities provide grave yard control and early pressure.
Flexible Mana and Easy to Cast: Being a 1-drop and versatile in color allows for easy coordination with other cards and deck strategies.
Cheap and Efficient Use of Abilities: The card's abilities are cheap to use and fulfill multiple useful functions, making it an indispensable part of many decks.
Deathrite Shaman's combination of utility and early game pressure makes it a standout card, especially in aggressive and control decks.
Batterskull: A Living Weapon
Though technically a creature with a freakish 5/4 attack with vigilance and lifelink, Batterskull has a unique afterlife. Even without creatures to attach to, it is a significant threat on its own. And its ability to respawn, die, and reappear as a card in your hand makes it a durable and unkillable threat.
How Batterskull Can Turn the Tide
Threat on Its Own: Batterskull is a potent threat even when not attached to a creature, making it a valuable board presence.
Evades Removal: By respawning whenever it dies, Batterskull evades most removal spells, making it a persistent presence on the battlefield.
Chain Attack: Each time Batterskull dies, you can attach it to a creature, making it an ongoing source of damage and protection.
Batterskull's unkillable nature and the ability to deal consistent damage make it a game-changer in both aggressive and defensive strategies.
In conclusion, while Griselbrand, Emrakul, Blightsteel Colossus, Deathrite Shaman, and Batterskull are all incredibly powerful, their unique abilities and strategic value make them indispensable in the Magic: The Gathering meta.