Magic Deck Vortex: Top Beasts

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Top Thirty Beasts

11/23/02. With Onslaught and all of the great beasts in the set, I had to update this listing. Below are the top thirty beasts in descending order from 30 to 1. This list is limited to only creatures and cards that generate creatures (such as Midsummer Revel or Beast Attack). Below that you will find the honorable mention list, of beasts that were cool but just not powerful or unique enough to make the top 30. I hope you enjoy this.

Also in the description of each card in the list, you will more often than not find a deck that corresponds with the card. The deck may not also FEATURE the card, but it will be a deck that uses the card. If you have any comments or suggestions about this list, then please email them to the webmaster @ streetz@magicdeckvortex.com.

#30: Anurid Scavenger.
A mini Gurzigost without the Thorn Elemental effect and with Protection from Black. A 3/3 for 3 mana is nothing to scoff at. When combos with Whetstone or Death Match, he's a great 3/3 powerhouse. Check out this: Survival Match.

#29: Cavern Harpy.
Gating creatures are more an advantage than an advantage letting you reuse your Nektrataal or Man-o-War creatures. Cavern harpy is a two mana 2/1 flyer that is great for any black/blue control deck. Check out Raisin Bran.

#28: Thresher Beast.
Five mana seems a bit expensive for a 4/4 creature but when he is a potential Stone Rain if blocked. Destructive Urge on a green creature... = Thresher Beast. Check out this deck called Wumpus Rift using this monster.

#27: Scalpelexis.
Quite a unique little critter... question is, what does 'elexis' mean? I mean, the SCALP part seems pretty obvious... but anyway. Expensive but effective, this guy goes well in any MILL deck. See him in action in OBC Mind Games.

#26: Sabertooth Nishoba.
Scary... such big claws it has.. such big teeth it has... (You get the idea). 6 mana and a 5/5 trampling protection from blue and red creature is godly. I would have much rather seen it have protection from black too, but hey, this guy is still good and efficient. Check out this deck, Flame Saber, using the Nishoba.

#25: Flowstone Overseer.
Any creature that uses more than two red mana in it's casting cost is usually good. This would be a good example. Weenie control at it's best and this beast is a 4/4 to top it off. Check out this deck, Overflow Break.

#24: Phantom Nishoba.
Give a beast a +1/+1 counter and it takes 6 more. Atleast this guy does. Judgement's spirit creatures with the unique damage taking mechanism is best suited on this 7/7 trampler. See him in this deck called Mono Black ReAnimator.

#23: Beasts of Bogardan.
Back in the day the Beasts of Bogardan were very popular. They still are a nice card to have especially when you have cards like Steamblast, Pyroclasm, Wildfire, Skirk Fire Marshall or Crater Hellion in the same card pool. Check out this deck called Predator to see the beasts in action.

#22: Tephraderm.
Damage bouncing at its best. Target it it with LIghtning Bolt and the caster of the bolt will take 3. What's not to like about that. Then there is the 4/5 creature for 5 mana thing that cool too.

#21: Dauthi Horror.
Yikes is this one ugly. Shadow and unbolckable by white creatures makes this one a minor threat and all for two mana. This horror could use a few extra dentist visits each year, but anyway, here is a deck called Keep the Dead Buried featuring this one.

#20: Snapping Thragg.
Morph is good. So is the ability to have it deal three damage to another creature if unblocked. Surprise is a wonderful concept when having this guy on the board. If only it had flying.

#19: Krosan Colossus.
Oooooohh... a 9/9 for 9 mana with morph. Well... I guess 9/9 isn't bad. Just try to give it trample and now we are talking. With Ixidor out on the board, you got this guy unmorphed almost for free. Check out this deck: Wirewood League.

#18: Symbiotic Beast.
Not bad for a symbiotic creature... I like the wurm guy better but the fact that you can have 4 little 1/1 insect tokens when this guy dies is GREAT! Combined with death match, and suddenly you can clear the board in your favor. Check out Survival Match.

#17: Flowstone Hellion.
The flowstone concept is likeable.. especially on a creature that has haste. I suppose that makes it a bit better than the beasts behind it. This guy is from stronghold and is by far the best of all the flowstone creatures by itself. Check out Viashino Takeout to the hellion at work.

#16: Aquamoeba.
Okay... this is a two drop that can potentially deal three damage on turn three (or turn two if you have Anger on your side) and he helps feed your graveyard to achieve threshold. Nice. Of the many decks he is found in, check out Arrogant yet Quiet one.

#15: Fungal Shambler.
Trample, discard and drawing a card all in one on a 6/4 for 7 mana. While he isn't too mana efficient, he is a cross between three cards. The first time I saw this one I said to myself.. I have to make a deck around this guy. Check out that deck called ENCHANT THIS!

#14: Beast Attack.
Not exactly a creature card, but it makes em. That's good enough for this top 30 list. This card works wonders with the Wirewood Savage card from Onslaught. Play a card, draw a card. Flashback a card, draw a card. I like that concept. Check out Seton, a deck of the many he can be found in.

#13: Prowling Pangolin.
Fun and yet deadly. 5 mana for a 6/5 creature is a killer when you can get him out on turn three or sooner with Blood Thrulls and the like Blood Vasals. Of course, that is not talking T2 but anyway, check out Black Prowler using the Pangolin. What is a Pangolin anyway?

#12: Gurzigost.
Surprise! I bet you didn't see this powerhouse coming! He is 6/8 for only 5 mana. Plus, you can use his 'thorn elemental' damage dealing mechanic to your advantage. Check out GREEN MILL to see a great example of his use.

#11: Pit Spawn.
This would be the only first striker on the list ... and watch out... if you block it you might see you creature gone forever. He is a nice way to rid the board of those annoying Serra Avatars and Weatherseed Treefolk guys that just keep coming back for more. Only 7 mana too. The upkeep isn't too bad. Check out this Rarebit for Rarebeasts using the Pit Spawn.

#10: Krakilin.
Mana flare and Mirari's Wake like being paired up with X creatures... especially when they have regeneration. Spike feeder and Triskelion also like Kraklins. So in summary, check out this deck using Kraklin; it is called BIG GREEN. Okay, so the deck doesn't use the cards mentioned above, but why don't you construct one and send it to MDV for the submissions page.

#9: Thrashing Wumpus.
Pestilence on a wumpus makes for good weenie control. I would much rather have four of these in a deck than four Pestilence cards. Check out this bad beast in action in this deck.

#8: Blastoderm.
Dominating the tournament scene for two years, this fatty is efficient and deadly, especially where Fires of Yavimaya is. Check out WRATH OF ABOROTH, which uses Blastoderm as quick offense.

#7: Hystrodon.
Its good that green has gotten some more card drawing capabilities. This guy, sported as a 3/4 with morph, is a good example and thus has made it into the top 10 of beasts.

#6: Crater Hellion.
Rating at number six, this guy can kill almost everything else before it (almost) and all you have to do is pay it's echo to keep it around for a next turn attack. Unless of course you have Anger in your graveyard. But anyway, this guy is a powerhouse thru and thru. Check him out in this deck: Squee Attack Squee.

#5: Anurid Brushhopper.
If this little frog thing had haste it would be perfect. Both, for three mana, a 3/4 creature that can jump away from danger, wrath of gods and burn is pretty darn swift. It has better speed than the Blastoderm and more tricks than Snapping Thragg. Well, maybe not, but it is still deserving of the number five slot. Check out the Anurid Brushhopper in Who Needs Genesis?.

#4: Rhox.
...yeah, I'll have a Martini on the Rhox... AHHHH!!!! what the hell is that? Okay, so Rhox is quick to cast, but he is hard to kill having regeneration and that whole being able to deal damage to your opponent instead of the creature blocking it is SWEET. I don't think broken is the term, but sweet sure fits. Rhox is great when paired up with his fellow creatures using the same mechanic. Or... just throw Might of Oaks on him and watch the opponent cringe. Check out Aether Attack using Rhox. Note: The art pictured above is the alternate art from one of the special boxed sets put out by Wizards of the Coast.

#3: Ravenous Baloth.
The only beast on the list that can sack other beasts to gain life.. and four life at that. A creature version of Claws of Gix on steroids... for beasts. This is by far the best beast for four mana in the bunch given its ability. Ravenous Baloth is sure to see lots of play in the tournament and casual environments for time to come. Hey, and the art is pretty cool too. So, here is a deck using the Ravenous Baloth called BEASTWORDS. Also, 12 x 2GG uses this guy, and you can check out it by clicking on the deck name.

#2: Krosan Tusker.
This guy was tough to place in the list, but when I really really really though about it, a 6/5 creature that can also cycle to search for a land is PRICELESS. Get those lands out earlier and quicker and then get another one of these guys or something bigger to cast sooner. Then, towards the late game when you just need another creature to win, cast him as a 6/5 drop. Not bad. True, 7 mana is not too efficient for a 6/5 but considering its ability, even Spiritmonger is in awe. Check out this deck using Krosan Tusker called WHEW.

#1: Spiritmonger.
Let's talk about tricks.. this guy has a whole bunch of em. Protection for black... okay, my guy is now blue. Deal six damage to it, and well.. I'll regenerate it. Oh yes, and slap Psionic gift or the like on the beast and give him +1/+1 counters for each time he deals damage to a creature. Kind of evil and definitely popular. He has made quite an appearance in the tournament scene.. in fact there is a deck or two named his Spiritmonger in mind like The Rock and His Millions. So... were you suprised that this guy made number one? I know I am not.. but then again I put the list together. If you have any comments about this listing, please email the webmaster.

HONORABLE MENTION

#54: Spur Grappler.
Back in the Masque block days, this guy paired up very well with Chimeric Idol and other cards that keep you tapped out. 4/2 for three mana is nothing to scoff at. Check out this deck called Pain using the Grappler.

#34: Snarling Undorak.
This card is the beast version with morph of some of the soldier guys from Fallen Empires. A 3/3 with two abilities for only 4 mana is nice. If only the first abilities was only one G... then he would be really good! Check out Vitality Brutality.

#38: Scragnoth.
This is the first card in MTG to have the ability "cannot be countered." He was mainly a sideboard card so I don't have a deck for this strange looking, big-clawed beast, but it still is a great card against control freaks (blue). Scratch that, I just added one called: Vineyard-Storm.

#31: Petravark.
Stone Rain with a 2/2 creature to back it up. Not bad. This is a popular card to use in land destruction decks and thus, here is a deck (Stromgald's Wrath) using the guy. Cool artwork too.

#115: Pallimud.
Here is an interesting card that is really difficult to get going, but combos with cards like Gulf Squid, and you have a nice little X/3 killer. The deck called Sligh of the Living Dead uses this guy. Another deck using him is Rarebit for Rarebeasts.

#51: Mawcor.
I hate this guy and I love it. A 3/3 flyer is nice. A 3/3 flying timmy is better. I love this card because of its versatility, and I hate this card because all of the artwork ever used for him has sucked.... but then again, I guess 7 edition's version is a bit better. (Oh yes, and I hate the name... mawcor... mawcor... mawcor... sounds like a bird squawk). Check out The Mawcor Deck.

#32: Krosan Beast.
I like squirrels.. I like 8/8 squirrels. You had better have a lot of nuts to feed this thing unless you want to be eaten. This guy would be better if he wasn't so expensive in the beginning... if you don't have threshold when you cast it, you are better off not casting it.

#33: Hunting Moa.
Any card that can give another creature a +1/+1 counter is nice especially when paired up with Triskelion and/or Planar Void. Check out this deck (Moa Boa) using the Moa. Question though, how does a bird thing give another creature power? Just a question... It doesn't look very magical in the picture.

#84: Hunted Wumpus.
Upon a first glance, this card sucks. But, if you can play it correctly with either bounce or discard on your side, you can pull off a 6/6 for 4 mana. That's a great thing considering with elves to speed up the game, you could have him out on turn two or three. Check out WUMPUS RIFT to see an example of this card.

#94: Hidden Stag.
A 3/2 for two mana and all that has to happen is your opponent needs to put a land into play. There are ways to keep this a 3/2 without making it an enchantment again... but here is a deck using the Stag called Hidden Green.

#62: Gulf Squid.
That's too many tentacles for my tastes.. but his ability sure is nifty in a STASIS or RISING WATERS deck. Check out this deck (Rhystic Pain) using the Gulf Squid to its potential.

#42: Fylamarid.
One of the most interesting flying creatures from the Tempest Block with a built in unblockable ability. Slap a +3/+3 enchantment on him or a Giant Growth and watch him bring your opponent to a miserable death. Check out this deck, called The Blue Zone, using the squid like thing.

#39: Ember Beast.
Three mana = 3/4. The drawback is minor. With a some stupid goblin to attack with, he is a large advantage on your side for speed burn ot red stompy decks. Check out this deck called Vitality Brutality.

#46: Chainflinger.
Not only is the picture great, but his thresholding timmy ability is a great one. Oh yes, and he is a 2/2. He is a bit expensive but worth it. Check out Chain Gang to see a deck using the flinger.

#48: Cardassid.
It can be very upsetting to know there are many beasts better than this guy but when I first saw him I loved him. A mini Silvos but WAY over costed. Here is a deck using the Carnassid called Graevdigger.