Craterhoof Behemoth MTG Card


Craterhoof Behemoth converts strong board presence into a likely game win, excelling in ramp strategies. High green mana cost and late-game play can limit early game flexibility and speed. Despite potential drawbacks, it’s a meta-relevant card that can decisively end matches.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Haste
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Haste When Craterhoof Behemoth enters the battlefield, creatures you control gain trample and get +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the number of creatures you control.

Its footsteps of today are the lakes of tomorrow.


Cards like Craterhoof Behemoth

Craterhoof Behemoth is a powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for its game-ending potential in creature-based decks. In the realm of MTG, it stands shoulder to shoulder with cards such as End-Raze Forerunners. Both creatures provide a significant power and toughness boost along with trample to other creatures you control, yet Craterhoof’s effect is based on the number of creatures you have, offering potentially unlimited power increase.

Another comparable card is Decimator of the Provinces, which also grants your creatures a boost in power and trample. It carries the added value of being an emerge card, possibly coming out for less mana, but it doesn’t provide the same degree of power multiplication as Craterhoof Behemoth does. Then we glimpse Pathbreaker Ibex, which mirrors the Behemoth’s ability on a smaller scale. The Ibex’s effectiveness hinges on the strength of your strongest creature, shaping the landscape of the game each time it attacks.

All things considered, Craterhoof Behemoth remains an incomparable staple when it comes to closing games in green creature decks, its unique strength and the immediate impact it can have on the battlefield makes it a distinguished choice among its peers.

End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Decimator of the Provinces - MTG Card versions
Pathbreaker Ibex - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Decimator of the Provinces - MTG Card versions
Pathbreaker Ibex - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Craterhoof Behemoth by color, type and mana cost

Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions
Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Craterhoof Behemoth. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
ElvesElves LegacyElvesLegacy Challenge 64 2024-04-14
Cradle ControlCradle Control LegacyCradle ControlLegacy Challenge 64 2024-04-07
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Gruul ComboGruul Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Craterhoof Behemoth doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its power lies in converting your existing board presence into an overwhelming advantage. Summoning this creature often signals the end of the game by dramatically increasing your creatures’ power and toughness, effectively leveraging your card advantage to close out matches.

Resource Acceleration: Craterhoof Behemoth itself doesn’t provide mana acceleration. However, its synergy with decks that rapidly deploy creatures makes it a formidable finisher in ramp strategies. Utilizing mana dorks or other acceleration methods to cast it early can result in a decisive surge of power, transforming a solid board state into an insurmountable lead.

Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery-speed creature, Craterhoof Behemoth’s impact on the game is similar to that of an instant-speed threat. Its haste ability allows it to attack immediately, leaving opponents little time to react. The instantaneous power boost to your creatures can catch an unprepared opponent off-guard, mimicking the disruptive power of instant-speed plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some powerful late-game drops, Craterhoof Behemoth doesn’t inherently lessen the burden on your hand; it requires full investment until you muster the mana to cast it, potentially stifling your plays in earlier turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Craterhoof Behemoth demands a heavy green mana commitment, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks that might struggle to meet the specific mana needs without the right mana-fixing resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at eight mana, Craterhoof Behemoth is a heavyweight when it comes to casting costs. In metagames where speed is of the essence, this high cost can often be a decisive drawback compared to cards that offer a swifter path to victory.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Craterhoof Behemoth can adapt to various deck types, finding its place in everything from Commander to cube. Its ability to turn even the smallest of creatures into overwhelming threats makes it an asset in green-based, creature-centric builds.

Combo Potential: This powerhouse excels when combined with strategies that generate an army of creatures. Token decks capitalize on the Behemoth’s ability to magnify the power of numerous small creatures, leading to swift victories.

Meta-Relevance: In games that stretch into the later turns, Craterhoof Behemoth acts as a potent finisher. Its relevance in the MTG meta is maintained by its ability to break stalemates and close games, regardless of the prevalence of control or ramp strategies.


How to Beat Craterhoof Behemoth

Craterhoof Behemoth is a powerhouse within the MTG universe, renowned for turning the tide of the game as it bolsters your creatures with overwhelming power. Despite its formidable presence, there are strategies to mitigate its impact. Control decks could employ counterspells such as Negate or Essence Scatter, disrupting the Behemoth’s entry to the battlefield. Removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile can also eliminate it post-summoning, though timing is crucial as these become less effective once its ability has triggered.

Understanding the pivotal moment Craterhoof Behemoth enters the play is essential. Board wipes like Wrath of God clear the way before the Behemoth can amplify the threat on the board. Hand disruption tactics, including Thoughtseize or Duress, can preemptively remove it from your opponent’s hand. It’s also possible to minimize its effectiveness by maintaining control of the board, keeping the number of creatures your opponent controls to a minimum. In fact, Leyline of Singularity is a unique choice as it renders the Behemoth’s ability nearly moot by limiting each player to one creature of each type.

Players aiming to thrive against Craterhoof Behemoth must focus on disruption, removal, and limiting the threat before it escalates. Smart gameplay and a well-constructed deck that anticipates this behemoth can certainly keep its earth-shaking impact under check.


BurnMana Recommendations

With its game-ending firepower, Craterhoof Behemoth is a card that every green deck player should consider. Whether you are sculpting a massive army of tokens or ramping up to drop colossal creatures, the Behemoth can be the lynchpin of an epic victory. If you’re looking to sharpen your MTG strategies or diversify your collection with impactful cards, delving into the mechanics and potential combos with Craterhoof Behemoth is an exhilarating next step. Enhance your gameplay and outmaneuver opponents by adding this mighty card to your arsenal. For insights on how to best incorporate Craterhoof Behemoth or counteract it, join the conversation with fellow MTG enthusiasts and experts. Let’s elevate your deck together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Craterhoof Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Craterhoof Behemoth and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Craterhoof Behemoth Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 1722003NormalBlackChris Rahn
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1222015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3762015NormalBlackKira, age 5½
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3752015NormalBlackLars Grant-West, age 52
52020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3852015NormalBlackChris Rahn
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5562015NormalBlackChris Rahn
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2802015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Craterhoof Behemoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-03-14 Craterhoof Behemoth’s triggered ability affects only creatures you control at the time it resolves. It won’t affect creatures that come under your control later in the turn.
2017-03-14 The value of X is determined only as Craterhoof Behemoth’s triggered ability resolves, potentially including Craterhoof Behemoth itself. It won’t change later in the turn if the number of creatures you control changes.