Garruk returns in Magic Core Set 2021 with a powerful friend

As we near the halfway mark for the Core Set 2021 spoiler season, Wizards of the Coast is bringing out some beefy green cards to dominate the board. Garruk takes center stage as the main green planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering‘s latest Core Set.

Garruk, Unchained

Last seen in Throne of Eldraine, Garruk has returned – both to the game and his beastly origins. At four mana, he can come down quickly and turn any early creature into a major threat.

Garruk’s abilities translate to the following:

• +1: Up to 1 target creature gains +3/+3 and trample until end of turn.
• -2: Create a 3/3 Beast creature token. Then if an opponent controls more creatures than you, put a loyalty counter on Garruk, Unchained.
• -7: You get an emblem with “At the beginning of your end step, you may search your library for a creature card and put it on the battlefield, then shuffle your library.”

Your little 2/2 early game creature can suddenly turn into a 5/5 with trample thanks to Garruk’s first ability. If you’re lacking in creatures on the board, he can also fix that with his second ability. Its second clause has Garruk gain a loyalty counter if your opponent controls more creatures than you. It’s neat, but it might not trigger often. However, if players are on the defensive or need an emergency blocker, this ability will be key.

Garruk’s ultimate ability is pure, sustained value. Getting a free creature at the end of your turn allows players to act a little more recklessly when it comes to attacks. With Garruk starting at four loyalty, you only need another four turns to hit this ability. This card could find a place in a G/R Adventures list, with plenty of other cheap, powerful creatures to support. Combining him with a Bonecrusher Giant or even a Questing Beast can quickly overwhelm an opponent.

Garruk’s Herald

Hexproof from black Whenever Garruk’s Herald deals combat damage to a player or planeswalker, look at that same number of cards from the top of your library. You may reveal a creature or Garruk planeswalker card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Supporting Garruk is this extremely cost-efficient creature. By dealing damage to an opponent, players can pick and choose what card they want to add to their hand. Garruk’s Herald might not connect often, as your opponent probably doesn’t want you to draw too many cards. Thankfully, with the new Garruk planeswalker in play, his Herald can gain trample and a power boost. These two together almost guarantee a new creature in hand after every attack.

While Mono-Green likely won’t be a competitive Magic deck any time soon, both these cards could see play in a Gruul Monsters or Adventures deck. Pair any creature Garruk has powered up with an Embercleave, and the two together could end the game.

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