Giant Cindermaw MTG Card


Delivers game-altering card advantage and battlefield dominance when cast, altering the flow of play. Its ability to ramp mana accelerates the potential to deploy impactful spells or creatures swiftly. Flexible play options become available when combined with flash, enhancing its threat level each turn.
Giant Cindermaw - The Brothers' War
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur Beast
Abilities Trample
Released2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set nameThe Brothers' War
Set codeBRO
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number136
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEdgar Sánchez Hidalgo

Text of card

Trample Players can't gain life.

"Don't excavate too far into those canyons. I promised your parents I'd return you in one piece." —Tocasia


Cards like Giant Cindermaw

Giants within the world of Magic: The Gathering are known for their formidable presence, and Giant Cindermaw is no exception. When evaluating it against its kin, like the classic Hill Giant, we see a notable difference in power. Giant Cindermaw not only offers a larger body but also a distinctive trample ability, allowing it to potentially deal excess damage to an opponent, compared to the straightforward nature of Hill Giant.

Another relative in the realm of giants is Frost Giant. Although Frost Giant comes with a resilience to damage in the form of toughness, it doesn’t present the same aggressive capabilities as Giant Cindermaw, which can change the tempo of the game with its impactful attacks. Additionally, cards such as Thundercloud Shaman gain value in a giant-themed deck for their ability to clear out smaller creatures on the board, further emphasizing the tactical niche Giant Cindermaw fills with its power and trample combination.

Considering the options available, Giant Cindermaw stands as a robust creature in the giant archetype. Its blend of considerable power, trample, and potential for game-changing plays makes it a card worth considering for players wanting to leverage the sheer force of giants in their MTG strategies.

Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Frost Giant - MTG Card versions
Thundercloud Shaman - MTG Card versions
Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Frost Giant - MTG Card versions
Thundercloud Shaman - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Giant Cindermaw by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro StandardGruul Dinosaurs2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Jund ControlJund Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 3
Gruul DinosaursGruul Dinosaurs PioneerGruul DinosaursPioneer Challenge 64 2023-12-22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Giant Cindermaw card is designed to dominate the battlefield, providing essential card advantage with its intimidating presence. Each time you cast it, you’re not just putting a massive creature on the field; you’re potentially swinging the game in your favor by compelling your opponent to deal with a singular threat, allowing your other cards to operate with more freedom.

Resource Acceleration: Embodying the raw power of the mountains, Giant Cindermaw can fuel your mana pool, giving you the resource acceleration essential for deploying game-changing spells or creatures ahead of schedule. This can tip the scales in a closely fought match, allowing you to outpace your opponent’s strategies.

Instant Speed: The Giant Cindermaw’s abilities may not be instant speed inherently, but when coupled with cards that flash, it can become an unexpected juggernaut your opponent must face on their turn. This flexibility ensures that the Giant Cindermaw remains a potent threat even when it’s not your turn, applying pressure and dictating your opponent’s plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Giant Cindermaw can be a tricky card to play if your hand is already dwindling. The necessity to discard another card just to unleash it can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when you’re aiming to maintain a card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The summoning cost for Giant Cindermaw is not only steep, but it also demands a specific mana combination that might not always be readily available. This can hinder your deck’s flexibility and potentially slow down your game strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Giant Cindermaw brings formidable power to the battlefield, its high mana cost can be a drawback. It requires a substantial investment, and in a fast-paced game, there may be other cards with lower mana costs that provide a similar level of impact sooner, enabling quicker responses to your opponent’s moves.


Reasons to Include Giant Cindermaw in Your Collection

Versatility: Giant Cindermaw can be a significant inclusion in ramp or red-green beatdown decks. Its ability to deal damage through trample allows it to tackle various board states effectively.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that harness the power of landfall or damage triggers. When you play lands, or when it deals combat damage, there’s potential for impactful combos or game-changing tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with creature-based strategies, Giant Cindermaw can provide an edge. Its trampler trait makes it a potent threat, able to poke through fortified defenses and shift the tide of a match.


How to beat

Giant Cindermaw is known for its formidable power that can easily overwhelm opponents in Magic: The Gathering. The elusive yet impactful Giant creature demands a strategic approach to tackle effectively. Dealing with this colossal menace requires both finesse and foresight. One effective tactic is to use removal spells before the Giant Cindermaw gets a chance to exert its influence on the battlefield. Instant-speed interactions such as ‘Path to Exile’ mitigate the threat by removing the creature outright, avoiding its devastating potential altogether.

Counter strategies work well, too, provided your deck has access to them. Playing a well-timed ‘Counterspell’ or ‘Dissolve’ can ensure that the Giant never sees play, preserving your board and life total. If the Giant does make it onto the battlefield, deploying creatures with deathtouch or setting up defensive fortifications can act as a deterrent, preventing the behemoth from swinging in unchecked. Lastly, edict effects, forcing an opponent to sacrifice a creature, can also bypass Giant Cindermaw’s considerable size, efficiently managing the threat it poses to your gameplan.

Successfully subduing a Giant Cindermaw in MTG relies on preemptive measures, smart control strategies, and decisive removal to take control of the game and ultimately guide you to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giant Cindermaw MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Giant Cindermaw and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Cindermaw has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-14 If an effect says to set a player's life total to a number that's higher than the player's current life total while Giant Cindermaw is on the battlefield, the player's life total doesn't change.
2022-10-14 Spells and abilities that cause players to gain life still resolve while Giant Cindermaw is on the battlefield. No player will gain life, but any other effects of that spell or ability will happen.