Giant Tortoise MTG Card


Giant Tortoise’s low cost and defending prowess aids in maintaining early game board control. It promotes instant-speed play, allowing strategic flexibility and resource allocation. The card is a stable choice against aggressive strategies, providing cost-effective defense.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Turtle
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Giant Tortoise gains +0/+3 while untapped.


Cards like Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise serves as an intriguing figure in the realm of low-cost creatures in MTG. It shares the defensive characteristic with creatures like Wall of Wood, which also offers a protective presence for minimal mana investment. Yet, Giant Tortoise sets itself apart with the ability to be a formidable blocker once its endurance condition is met—an aspect the Wall of Wood does not possess.

Another comparable card is Sejiri Turtle, showcasing low-cost defense but with the added ability to potentially swing for damage if the right land conditions are satisfied. Although the Turtle doesn’t possess the regenerative durability of the Giant Tortoise, it does provide an offensive angle that can surprise opponents. On the higher end of the scale, Horned Turtle brings a consistent toughness to the board without conditional requirements like Giant Tortoise, yet this stability comes with a slightly higher mana cost.

When we closely compare the nuances and strategic uses of these creatures, Giant Tortoise finds its niche within MTG as a cost-effective blocker with conditional resilience, offering players a robust defensive option in the early phases of the game.

Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions

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

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Giant Tortoise’s low casting cost combined with its ability to effectively block many early game creatures can help you maintain card advantage on the board. By trading with higher-cost creatures or deterring attacks altogether, Giant Tortoise aids in preserving your hand while depleting your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though Giant Tortoise doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, its low economic investment can free up your resources for other strategies. It allows you to establish a board presence without sacrificing significant mana, paving the way for more powerful plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Giant Tortoise is not an instant itself, its defensive capabilities can encourage a playstyle that favors instant speed interactions. With a dependable blocker on the field, you may confidently pass the turn with mana available for instant speed spells, knowing your defense is secured.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of resource management, this card does not directly pose a discard requirement; however, its low impact on the game might lead you to discard it in favor of more dynamic options within blue-centric decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Giant Tortoise requires a specific blue mana to cast, which could restrict its deployment exclusively in blue or blue-inclusive decks, potentially making it a less versatile pick when deck building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant, the mana needed for Giant Tortoise’s level of board presence may be seen as too significant for what is, essentially, a creature with very situational toughness that offers no immediate board impact upon arrival. In the world of MTG, there are numerous creatures at similar costs that provide additional abilities and higher strategic value.


Reasons to Include Giant Tortoise in Your Collection

Versatility: Giant Tortoise provides defensive flexibility in the early game. Whether you’re playing a control or tempo deck, its ability to have a higher toughness during your turn makes it a reliable early blocker.

Combo Potential: This card is a wonderful addition to decks utilizing tap and untap mechanics. With its conditional toughness increase, it has latent synergy with cards that require creatures to tap without attacking, making it unexpectedly beneficial.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies thrive, Giant Tortoise offers a cost-effective way to obstruct attackers. Its staying power on the board could thwart an opponent’s early onslaught, giving you time to establish your winning conditions.


How to beat

Giant Tortoise offers a resilient defense mechanism to players in MTG, especially when it’s untapped, boasting a notable toughness upgrade. To strategically navigate around this shelled fortress, consider deploying creatures that can bypass its defensive boost. Aggressive strategies could falter, as attacking with small creatures leads to potential losses without scratching your opponent’s health.

Utilizing removal spells that don’t rely on damage, such as exile or destroy effects, can effectively neutralize the Giant Tortoise. Flying creatures also provide a clear path over the Tortoise’s defenses, applying pressure from the skies. Moreover, incorporating spells that reduce toughness can turn this sturdy creature into an easy target. Alternatively, evasion tactics, such as making your creatures unblockable, can help you maintain the offensive without confronting the Tortoise head-on.

Considering the Giant Tortoise’s specific protective trait operates only on being untapped, managing to keep it consistently engaged, perhaps through tapping abilities, can leave it vulnerable to attacks. By aligning your strategy with these approaches, the Giant Tortoise’s defensive shell can be cracked, smoothing the path to victory in your MTG matchups.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giant Tortoise MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Arabian Nights, 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 Tortoise and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Giant Tortoise Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-12-17Arabian NightsARN 15†1993NormalBlackKaja Foglio
21993-12-17Arabian NightsARN 151993NormalBlackKaja Foglio
31995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 761993NormalBlackKaja Foglio
41995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 761993NormalWhiteKaja Foglio
51995-08-01RinascimentoRIN 271993NormalBlackKaja Foglio
61995-08-01RenaissanceREN 341993NormalBlackKaja Foglio
72007-09-10Masters EditionME1 341997NormalBlackKaja Foglio
82011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 501997NormalBlackKaja Foglio
92016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 522015NormalBlackRichard Wright

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giant Tortoise has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal