Defiant Greatmaw

Defiant Greatmaw was released in 2017 as part of the Amonkhet expansion for Magic: The Gathering. The set draws heavy thematic inspiration from Ancient Egyptian mythology, depicting a world governed by the god-pharaoh Nicol Bolas. Mechanically, the card was designed to function within the set's focus on creature-based combat and the manipulation of +1/+1 counters, specifically rewarding players for utilizing cards that require counter removal as a cost.

The artwork was provided by Slawomir Maniak, who rendered the creature as a massive, armored crocodile emerging from the desert sands. The design reflects the brutal, trial-based culture of the plane, where monstrous entities were often pitted against the inhabitants as part of organized religious rites. Upon its release, it was regarded as a solid utility creature for limited formats, noted for its resilience and ability to turn otherwise temporary power boosts into a permanent threat.