by Elton Gahr

Created on: October 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2012

  Spells or creatures that rely on your opponent acting to become good are typically risky, but there are certain things that you can count on your opponent doing and in the case of Taurean Mauler if your opponent doesn't activate it there is almost no chance that they are ever going to win. Taurean Mauler is a rare shapeshifter from the planechase expansion set of magic the gathering. It costs one red and two colorless and and is a 2/2 creature which is a changing meaning that it is every creature type. It is unlikely to be a 2/2 creature for long though as it has one of the most effective counter gaining mechanics in the game. This reads "Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Taurean Mauler." That you can put this card out or the third turn, or in the right deck even on the second is what makes this so effective. If you play first this means it is entirely possible that you will be able to put it into play before your opponent has cast any spells. Since it is a 2/2 creature this means that it is entirely possible for it to remain the largest creature on the board throughout the entire game against those decks that have a good mana curve as everything in the game besides land will give your character counters. Another thing to consider with this card is that since it counts as every creature type it will fit easily into a great many decks. Since it can get large so easily tribes that give other abilities may be useful. Bramblewood paragon for example gives warriors +1/+1 counters, which would effect the mauler, but more important it gives any creature with a +1/+1 counter trample. This can be very useful in a game where the mauler survives long enough to become quite large. One of the most effective ways to use this would be in a counter spell deck. This would allow you to stop those spells that would kill the mauler allowing it to simply overrun the opponent at its own pace. There is simply nothing quite as useful as a creature that scales up as the game goes on, and Taurien Mauler scales quickly enough that it is going to be difficult for it to not be the largest creature in the game when put into play early.

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