Among the many curious entries in the world of Grist-related names, few are as strange—or as fictional—as Grist, the Hunger Tide, a Planeswalker card from Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Introduced in the Modern Horizons 2 expansion, Grist is a sentient insect hive-mind that manifests as a singular being… and yes, you read that right.
Who—or What—is Grist?
Grist is a rare Planeswalker who is technically also a creature card while not on the battlefield—an unusual mechanic that makes it eligible to be your commander in formats like Commander/EDH. Lore-wise, Grist is composed of billions of tiny insects that function together as a single consciousness, often taking on a humanoid form. Equal parts grotesque and compelling, Grist embodies decay, hunger, and relentless swarm logic.
Card Details:
- Name: Grist, the Hunger Tide
- Mana Cost: 1BG (Black and Green)
- Card Type: Legendary Planeswalker — Grist
- Abilities:
- Mill a card and generate an insect token if a creature card is milled.
- Can destroy creatures and planeswalkers.
- Ultimate ability sacrifices creatures to mill and damage opponents based on the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Significance in MTG:
Grist became popular not just for its play mechanics, but also for its eerie artwork and inventive design. It opened up new design space in Magic’s game mechanics, and quickly became a cult favourite among players who enjoy graveyard strategies and offbeat lore.
Fun Fact:
Grist’s unique creature-in-disguise status makes it one of the only Planeswalkers eligible as a Commander in MTG’s most beloved multiplayer format.
Source:
Adapted from mtg.fandom.com – Grist, the Hunger Tide
