This is the ONLY card to be printed in every core set since Alpha.
Steinhauser
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
This time around, you might have a very good reason to draft this other than making a late-pick compromise.
Cyberium
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(7 votes)
I am biased and I prefer Giant Growth :(
Axelle
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
You aren't the only one, Cyberium.
HuntedWumpusMustDie
★★☆☆☆ (2.4/5.0)(5 votes)
Giant Spider, before I begin I'm going to have to ask you to sit down, ok? Ok. Now, let me begin by saying that we here in the magic community would first like to thank you for consistantly being available for sets reaching all the way back to alpha. Your flawless attendance and brutal consistency is enough even to make the birds of paradise jealous. However, there is an elephant in the room which remains to be discussed. It goes like this Giant Spider... Magic is an ever evolving game, and in today's competitive environment, we're not all sure that you're exactly what green players need anymore. Also we feel as though you've already reached your full potential. What we're trying to say is, this will be the final year that we'll be asking you to join us. I'm sorry old friend, you did good. You did good... alright, send in Goblin Piker on your way out.
ICEFANG13
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Of course he will be staying forever, I mean the flavor text is related to the card
the m12 text is totally explanitory, but gaint growth should have won
AngelPhoenix
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Lol @ wumpsmustdie
Yeah, this card is pretty pointless these days. There's a TON of much better spiders out there. I don't see why they can't "reprint" the same card, give it the same name, but change one or two things about it. For instance, make this guy a 2/5, or a 3/4, or reduce his colorless CC by one. I mean, even Blightwidow has infect, making it considerably better than this guy, for the same CC, and it's still in standard. I don't get the logic there.
Vandarringa
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I don't think Core Set Survivor is over until they stop printing Grizzly Bears. You know what I mean.
Mid_Squad
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I don't get why people prefer Giant Growth... This about it this way. Green has plenty of ways to pump up its creatures, so each one of those have to be balanced. Green, however, really doesn't have ways to deal with flying creatures (at least monster wise). Giant Spider is a little overcosted because it's a common card that can block flying creatures in green. Even though it doesn't have high power, it has enough toughness to survive multiple attacks to hold back their fliers. If you're playing infect, 2 mana translates into 6 infect counters if you're using giant growth. Letting in a blocker against green can mean game over depending on how many Giant Growths you're opponent has. That's probably the main reason why they "chose" Giant Growth over Giant Spider. You can still power up your creatures, but keeping your Giant Growths until your opponent would become 6 or even 9 life away from loosing isn't very fun. Giant Spider prevents fliers from attacking you, which would end the game pretty quick.
TL;DR: Giant Growth needed more balancing than Giant Spider did, which is why they "chose" Giant Growth over Giant Spider. Blocking flying creatures is a commodity while powering up is commonplace.
I'm really enjoying the flavour text on this iteration.
Anky
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I love this guy. Is he good? No. But in my first ever booster (A tenth edition) he was one of my creatures. I still have him. One of the first ever cards I saw in this game. For that alone he gets a 5 out of 5.
ax_morph
★★☆☆☆ (2.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Anyone else thinking Giant Growth was better for the core >.>
Zoltantf
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(4 votes)
18 years of eating drakes, birds, and sprites, and still hungry for more. Please keep the tradition Wizards. It makes revised players like me happy with nostalgia. First creature with reach. A solid defender. Timeless.
SirZapdos
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
I've been playing this guy since Revised. Always useful in a green deck.
I love the flavour text. A sly reference to its "sole survivor" status among core set reprintings. I like it when MTG subtly breaks the fourth wall, just like they did with Lightning Bolt in Magic 2010, or with Deep Analysis, referencing the terror that was Masticore.
puresightmerrow
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The great survivor. Seriously this thing single handedly inspired an entire creature type.
Totema
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Everyone here that's raging over this guy is missing the point. Core sets, at least in part, serve as entry points for beginners. Creatures like this one are great for people who are just starting to learn the game; they are straightforward and keep the game fun for everyone. It may not be extremely useful in competition, but when you're just screwing around with your friends and a bunch of starter decks, who cares?
Field_Marshal
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Giant Spider aged very well. Not maybe cards this old can stay relevant. The new fkavour texts hints at this.
LocoLarue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love the flavor text.
omni8000
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
maybe hes not perfect but hes the last man standing so you gotto respect him. Hope to see you again in 2013 giant spider
DoragonShinzui
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Holy christ this spider is eternal.
Much like the spiders in my house. Help?
KnexWiz
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(7 votes)
im going to miss you in m13 :(
imsully2
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
It kinda bugs me that they gave it flavor text which says it's never leaving then they take it away in the next set
@ Ferlord: Accept for 5th-7th edition, so no it hasn't been actually
NoobOfLore
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
R.I.P., big guy. You had a good run. Sentinel Spider ain't you, but I have to say, he's a credit to your title.
Villainous1
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(7 votes)
Goodnight sweet prince, and may flights of (blocked) angels sing thee to thy rest...
bay_falconer
★☆☆☆☆ (1.1/5.0)(5 votes)
Let's see: It's overcosted to the point that it competes with Hill Giant and loses; I'd rather have Muraganda Petroglyphs interaction than reach; and MaRo's talking about how he needs ideas for animals for colors other than green.
An animal that lays traps for its prey sounds pretty blue to me.
TitansFTW
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This guy gets 5/5 from me for pure, unadulterated longevity. He's been around for so long and is the longest survivor of the game's rapid evolution. Shame to see him go in M13.
I also love how relevant the M12 flavour text is. This guy is (was) the constant in an ever changing game.
Our friendly neighborhood Giant Spider, thought to have retired from the game after a strong twenty-year print run, has just been confirmed for an M14 reprint.
Welcome back to the Jungle, Spidey.
We've missed you.
Rathios1337
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
o7 The old bane of angels is returning in M14, seems twas just a holiday not retirement
wookywok
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
YAY! he's coming back! You know what, giant spider? You deserved that vacation. Maybe some new flavor text, too. Thanks, Buddy.
Comments (35)
There are a few constants :D
I miss Giant Growth more too though
Yeah, this card is pretty pointless these days. There's a TON of much better spiders out there. I don't see why they can't "reprint" the same card, give it the same name, but change one or two things about it. For instance, make this guy a 2/5, or a 3/4, or reduce his colorless CC by one. I mean, even Blightwidow has infect, making it considerably better than this guy, for the same CC, and it's still in standard. I don't get the logic there.
TL;DR: Giant Growth needed more balancing than Giant Spider did, which is why they "chose" Giant Growth over Giant Spider. Blocking flying creatures is a commodity while powering up is commonplace.
I love the flavour text. A sly reference to its "sole survivor" status among core set reprintings. I like it when MTG subtly breaks the fourth wall, just like they did with Lightning Bolt in Magic 2010, or with Deep Analysis, referencing the terror that was Masticore.
Much like the spiders in my house. Help?
@ Ferlord: Accept for 5th-7th edition, so no it hasn't been actually
An animal that lays traps for its prey sounds pretty blue to me.
I also love how relevant the M12 flavour text is. This guy is (was) the constant in an ever changing game.
R.I.P. Giant Spider
Don't give up - Fight arachnophobia!
Welcome back to the Jungle, Spidey.
We've missed you.
You know what, giant spider? You deserved that vacation.
Maybe some new flavor text, too.
Thanks, Buddy.