Cyclops

A cyclops. Art by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.

Much like giants, cyclopes are enormous bipedal creatures very similar to humans in form. What distinguishes cyclopes is the large, single eye in the center of their foreheads. They are few in number and possess great size and power. They are brute, solitary creatures who live in desolate mountains and swamps. As such, Cyclopses appear in red, black and green.

The first card to bear the creature type was Ekundu Cyclops in Mirage. The subtype Cyclops was obsoleted in Sixth Edition but reinstated in the Grand Creature Type Update. Inbetween cards like Tar Pit Warrior, Hulking Cyclops and Bloodshot Cyclops had the subtype Giant.

Storyline

Alara

Before the Conflux, most cyclopes lived in Jund. (Madrush Cyclops)

Dominaria

Cyclopes are known to live in Jamuura in the Ekundu Mountains. After the Phyrexian Invasion, several cyclopes were left homeless and wandering, often becoming enthralled to dark forces.

Cyclops language is noted to be very simply, with only fifty words and around ten of them meaning "kill".

Ravnica

Ravnican cyclopes, also known as monoclons, are spread among the guilds. Most are under the leadership of the Gruul Clans, befitting their violent temperament and savagery. The Boros also recruit cyclopes to serve as fortress guardians.

The Izzet League use them for heavy lifting in their laboratories. They also on occasion have experimented on them, with the result being the Nivix Cyclops.

Theros

Solitary, belligerent, and relatively stupid, Theran cyclopes are territorial and feared for their unrelenting aggression and inability to feel pain. Once a cyclops has its eye on you or your village, there's no stopping it. It takes a truly heroic effort to take one down — or a small army of battle-hardened hoplites. Some are infused with lightning and able to wield it.

Notable cyclopes

• Borborygmos
• Cisarzim

Trivia

• An Eye Gouge is lethal to cyclopes.