Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Why Surrak and Goreclaw Matter in MTG Canon
In the ever-expanding MTG multiverse, some cards quietly thread the tapestry of lore and mechanics in a way that reshapes how we play and how we remember. Surrak and Goreclaw, a legendary pairing from March of the Machine, do exactly that. This green powerhouse isn’t just a stat-stuffing behemoth; it crystallizes a philosophy of green’s resilience, its love of creature-centric warfare, and its ability to buff the board in a way that feels both triumphant and uncomfortably efficient. 🧙🔥💎⚔️
Mechanical identity: a green commander’s dream with bite
At a glance, Surrak and Goreclaw costs {4}{G}{G} and bears the hallmarks of a mid- to late-game haymaker: a robust 6/5 with trample. The real mushroom cloud, though, is what it does for your battlefield once it hits the board. “Trample” is already a familiar green ace, but here the card twists the dynamic: “Other creatures you control have trample.” That’s a bully pulpit for your entire team, turning every attack step into a calculated undisguised threat rather than a one-shot swing. 🎲
But the evergreen engine doesn’t stop there. The crown jewel is the ETB (enter the battlefield) trigger: “Whenever another non-token creature you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on it. It gains haste until end of turn.” This means your new non-token creatures aren’t just arriving; they’re immediately growing into bigger threats and are blitzed into action with haste. It creates a cascading effect in which each successive creature enters with the potential to stomp even more decisively than the last, especially in a deck built to maximize non-token permanents. The synergy rewards careful sequencing and tempo—play big bodies, then watch as your board explodes with new power and the rush of haste. ⚔️
Strategically, that combination invites a few familiar green archetypes: ramp into six-mana plays, the go-wide or go-big setups, and the classic “big punch one-turn-into-two” style that green loves. If you lean into enablers that reduce or smooth mana cost, you can reliably drop Surrak and Goreclaw earlier in the game and begin stacking +1/+1 counters across your battlefield for a devastating swing. And yes, Doubling Season or similar effects feel especially spicy here, because the counters on entering creatures can suddenly scale into impressive numbers, while the haste ensures your board is not just a pretty mural but a speaking, stomping army. 🧙🔥
Lore and flavor: Tarkir’s might meets Phyrexian upheaval
The flavor text—“Two titans of Tarkir carved a swath through Phyrexia's elite.”—cements a bridge between Tarkir’s storied clans and the machine-wrought horrors of Phyrexia invading the MTG canon. Surrak and Goreclaw aren’t mere combatants; they embody the clash of timeless, nature-forward power against a relentless, corrupted mechanization. This juxtaposition is a reminder that green’s stubborn resilience—its forests, beasts, and primal rage—can stand toe-to-toe with even the most dystopian threats when given a chance to rally. The art by Lucas Graciano conveys that primal ferocity in a single frame, a visual counterpoint to the card’s mechanical poetry. 🎨
Two titans of Tarkir carved a swath through Phyrexia's elite.
From a lore perspective, the card sits at an interesting crossroads: it nods to the long arc of Tarkir’s animal-dominated factions and then vaults forward into March of the Machine’s era of phyrexian incursion. It’s a tasteful reminder that MTG canon thrives on such crossovers—moments where ancient power and modern mechanization collide, then surge into new forms of play and storytelling. 🧭
Format relevance: where this card truly earns its keep
In Commander, Surrak and Goreclaw shine as a focal point for creature-centric green decks. The ability to give all your creatures trample nudges your board into a role of continuous pressure, while the ETB trigger rewards strategic, creature-heavy decks that have planned clear entry sequences. The card’s presence in Historic and Modern also supports green creature beats, ramp, and “big green” storytelling—formats where you can leverage the trample aura and the enter-the-battlefield synergy to turn early tempo into late-game dominance. Its rarity (rare) and tribal-leaning typology (Legendary Creature — Human Bear) also contribute to collectible appeal, especially for those who chase foil versions or want to showcase the art of Graciano on a display shelf. 💎
Collectibility and market sense: why collectors still watch MOM
From a market perspective, Surrak and Goreclaw sits at an approachable value tier, with a nonfoil around the mid-single digits and foil climbing higher, reflecting both its evergreen green utility and the MOM set’s broader collector interest. The card’s EDHREC rank sits in a respectable neighborhood for multiplayer staples, signaling that it’s not merely a niche pick but a recognized part of real decklists. For someone who loves the idea of a two-titan collision for Tarkir’s canon, this card offers both nostalgic resonance and tangible gameplay payoff. And yes, the artwork’s appeal—paired with Lucas Graciano’s distinctive style—helps it stand out in any collection. 🎲
Practical deck ideas: weaving Surrak and Goreclaw into your green engine
Here are a few high-level concepts to consider when building around this card:
- Go-wide green strategies: populate the board with non-token creatures and leverage the “enter” trigger to buff each new arrival, accelerating the board’s overall power density.
- Counter-friendly staples: pair with effects that place +1/+1 counters ( Doubling Season or other counter doublers) to amplify the impact of each entry and create a fearsome, growing army.
- Mana ramp and acceleration: early ramp helps you land the six-mana cost sooner, maximizing the value of haste on your creatures and enabling feints into overwhelming attacks.
- Token-synergistic but careful: while token entries don’t trigger the ETB ability, tokens still contribute to power and can be leveraged in other ways to support your go-wide plan.
- Commander pairings: consider green commanders that fuel large creature economies or that enable powerful combat synergies—Surrak and Goreclaw can act as a formidable engine within those shells.
For console-age MTG fans who want to blend lore, art, and solid competitive play, this card is a reminder that green’s backbone—survivability, big bodies, and combat prowess—continues to evolve in exciting ways. And if you’re gearing up for events or casual nights with friends, a well-tuned Surrak and Goreclaw build offers both strategic depth and a nostalgia-driven narrative payoff. 🧙🔥⚔️
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