The Tarrasque – D&D: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2021
Ratings:
Constructed: 2.50
Casual: 4.00
Limited: 5.00
Multiplayer: 3.00
Commander [EDH]: 3.00
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is bad. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
David
Fanany
Player
since
1995
Whenever someone mentions the Tarrasque, I think of my 3.5 Edition Monster Manual‘s description for it, which explains that “only one exists”. One is generally enough in Dungeons and Dragons. Coming so late in Magic’s run, though, means that this version of it has fewer game-breaking abilities in terms of Magic’s conventional axes like card advantage. It does, however, offer an incomplete translation of the D&D Tarrasque’s nigh-unkillability, as long as you meet a condition that Magic players often gloss over when it comes to creatures. The fact that it’s much less effective when you reanimate it doesn’t have to be crippling, as there are other ways to get the full-power version, ranging from just ramping hard to using something like Jodah. Once it starts attacking, The Tarrasque thins out defending ranks quite effectively over a few turns. And besides, you might just want to play a different legendary dinosaur from the ones we usually see!
Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 5/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Commander: 3/5
Gifted with a ruthlessly efficient death stroke and a long and swishy tail, The Tarrasque is one of those creatures that wants to be cast properly; if you bring it out properly, it’s hugely resistant to kill spells and able to smash immediately. It even doubles as removal, which is nice! Unfortunately, for one of the iconic nemeses of a party in Dungeons & Dragons, this Tarrasque is a bit underwhelming overall. No trample means that it’s liable to be chump-blocked to hell and back, it’s still vulnerable to board wipes and deathtouch, and it’s resolutely underwhelming if you trick it out, lacking haste or protection. It can be worth the price of admission if you can pony up, as it will absolutely chew through a board with time and motivation, but Mister Biggles is sadly a bit of a disappointment.
Constructed: 2
Casual: 4
Limited: 5 (credit where it’s due, it’s nearly unbeatable in Limited)
Multiplayer: 3
Commander: 3
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