Spearbreaker Behemoth MTG Card


Generate card advantage by safeguarding creatures, diminishing losses from spells or combat. Invoke its instant speed ability to disrupt opponent plans and protect vital creatures. Despite its power, be aware of its high mana cost and specific green mana requirement.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Indestructible
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Spearbreaker Behemoth is indestructible. : Target creature with power 5 or greater is indestructible this turn.

Few Nayans dare hunt the gargantuans. They're regarded not as animals but as forces of nature, like landslides or typhoons.


Cards like Spearbreaker Behemoth

Spearbreaker Behemoth carves out its own niche within the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a monolithic figure in green creature decks. Echoing the resilience of cards like Darksteel Colossus, the Behemoth brings added value through its ability to make other creatures indestructible. While the Colossus itself is famously indestructible, it lacks the supportive role that Spearbreaker Behemoth offers to a wider board presence.

Exploring alternatives leads us to cards like Soul of New Phyrexia, which can also confer indestructibility, albeit with a temporary activation cost. The Behemoth stands out by presenting a more cost-effective continuous option. Another comparison could be made to Asceticism, which grants creatures not only indestructibility but also regeneration. However, Spearbreaker Behemoth offers these protections at an unbeatable seven-mana value with a formidable 5/5 body.

The trade-offs between these similar cards place Spearbreaker Behemoth in a distinctive position. While it does not have the all-encompassing indestructibility of Darksteel Colossus or the regenerative properties of Asceticism, its ability to protect significant creaures without additional mana investment makes it a strategic asset in many MTG decks that focus on large creatures.

Darksteel Colossus - MTG Card versions
Soul of New Phyrexia - MTG Card versions
Asceticism - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Colossus - MTG Card versions
Soul of New Phyrexia - MTG Card versions
Asceticism - MTG Card versions

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

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Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Panglacial Wurm - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Engulfing Slagwurm - MTG Card versions
Kalonian Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spearbreaker Behemoth ensures longevity for your creatures on the battlefield, effectively leading to indirect card advantage. With its ability to make other creatures indestructible, it enables you to maintain a formidable presence without losing card equity through trade-offs or removal spells.

Resource Acceleration: As a 5/5 creature that only requires seven mana to cast, this behemoth provides a solid return on investment. While it doesn’t directly accelerate resources like mana, the value it adds by protecting your key pieces often translates into retaining more resources over the course of a game.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Spearbreaker Behemoth lies in its activated ability which can be used at instant speed. This means you can wait until the very last moment before declaring a creature indestructible, catching opponents off guard and disrupting their strategies during their turn. This level of flexibility can be a game-changer, offering protection precisely when it’s most needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures that offer utility or protection without a cost, Spearbreaker Behemoth requires you to discard cards to shield your creatures from destruction. This can be a hefty price, particularly in the late game when your hand might be running low, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: The Behemoth’s casting cost demands a significant investment in green mana. With three green mana symbols in its cost, it’s not as easily slotted into multicolor decks that might struggle with producing the necessary green mana consistently, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of seven mana, Spearbreaker Behemoth comes into play later than many other creatures. In fast-paced games or metas dominated by lower-cost creatures, having a seven-mana card in your hand can feel cumbersome, possibly delaying your board development and impacting your tempo adversely.


Reasons to Include Spearbreaker Behemoth in Your Collection

Versatility: Spearbreaker Behemoth is a powerhouse in Commander and other formats that allow for larger life totals and deck sizes. Its ability to provide indestructibility to your other creatures with power 5 or greater makes it adaptable to a variety of board states and strategies.

Combo Potential: With the Behemoth, you can create formidable combos in decks built around big creatures. Its synergy with cards that let you cheat creatures onto the battlefield or capitalize on high power levels multiplies its value in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board wipes and targeted removal are common, Spearbreaker Behemoth’s protective ability can safeguard your key creatures, maintaining your board presence and giving you an edge over decks that rely heavily on removal.


How to beat

Spearbreaker Behemoth is a mighty creature that can be a real cornerstone for any deck favoring large creatures in MTG. With its indestructible status and the ability to grant indestructibility to other creatures, it seems like an unbeatable force on the battlefield. But no card is truly invincible. To triumph over this behemoth, one can consider spells or abilities that force a player to sacrifice creatures. Since the Behemoth can’t protect against sacrifice effects, cards like Diabolic Edict or Plaguecrafter can effectively remove it from play.

Another strategy involves bypassing the creature entirely. Enchantments that prevent all damage that would be dealt to you, such as Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, can neutralize the threat posed by Spearbreaker Behemoth and its cohorts. Also, tapping down the behemoth with cards like Frost Lynx or Amber Prison can prove to be a tactical way to handle it, especially since its indestructibility doesn’t protect against being neutralized in combat.

Ultimately, the key to overpowering the Spearbreaker Behemoth lies in outmaneuvering it, so focus on control and evasion techniques to secure victory on the MTG battleground.


BurnMana Recommendations

Reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of Spearbreaker Behemoth, it becomes clear that MTG isn’t just about the cards you play, but also the strategies you devise. While this behemoth offers undeniable power and protection for your creatures, MTG champions know versatility and adaptability are essential. Looking beyond just one card, there are myriad ways to enhance your gameplay, safeguard your creatures, and optimize your deck. Whether you’re countering opponents or forging unbeatable combos, the path to victory is rich with possibilities. Enhance your MTG journey by exploring more tactics, deckbuilding tips, and card insights with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spearbreaker Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Neon Dynasty Commander, 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 Spearbreaker Behemoth and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spearbreaker Behemoth Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1502003NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1322015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spearbreaker Behemoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 The ability checks the targeted creature's power twice: when the creature becomes the target, and when the ability resolves. Once the ability resolves, it will continue to apply to the affected creature no matter what its power may become later in the turn.
2013-07-01 Lethal damage and effects that say “destroy” won't cause a creature with indestructible to be put into the graveyard. However, a creature with indestructible can be put into the graveyard for a number of reasons. The most likely reasons are if it's sacrificed, if it's legendary and another legendary creature with the same name is controlled by the same player, or if its toughness is 0 or less.