A-Cloister Gargoyle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Gargoyle |
| Abilities | Venture into the dungeon |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | A-7 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Zug |
Text of card
When Cloister Gargoyle enters the battlefield, venture into the dungeon. (Enter the first room or advance to the next room.) As long as you've completed a dungeon, Cloister Gargoyle gets +3/+0 and has flying.
Cards like A-Cloister Gargoyle
Cloister Gargoyle stands out in MTG as a unique creature card with a versatility that reflects the dynamic nature of the game. When examining counterpart cards, Wall of Omens emerges as a relevant comparison. Both are low-mana-cost creatures that influence the game upon entering the battlefield. However, while Wall of Omens draws a card to potentially expand a player’s options, Cloister Gargoyle relies on the Dungeon mechanic, offering a different avenue for deck synergy and board impact.
Another card to consider is Wall of Runes. It shares the initial card advantage trait, revealing the top card of the library and placing it into the hand or graveyard. The Gargoyle takes a different approach by setting up a longer-term advantage through the Dungeon exploration. As for the Archway Angel, it provides a life gain based on the number of Gates a player controls, emphasizing an immediate boost in health, in contrast to the Gargoyle’s incremental advantages through Dungeon progression.
Ultimately, Cloister Gargoyle carves a niche in MTG decks focused on the Dungeon mechanic, distinguishing itself with a role that can blend defense with strategic depth, paving its own way among the defensive and utility-oriented creature cards in the game.
Cards similar to A-Cloister Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A Cloister Gargoyle, upon entering the battlefield, sets you up to explore the dungeon yielding card advantage as progressing through dungeons often lets you draw cards, among other benefits.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, A Cloister Gargoyle supports dungeon exploration which can lead to rooms like the Treasure Vault, indirectly offering mana acceleration and other resources.
Instant Speed: Though the Gargoyle itself isn’t an instant, playing it strategically can lead to instant speed effects from completing a dungeon, such as drawing a card or creating a Treasure token during a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While A Cloister Gargoyle may not require a discard per se, its venture into the dungeon mechanic may lead to discarding indirectly if the chosen dungeon calls for this action, creating potential card disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: A Cloister Gargoyle demands white mana in its casting cost, which restricts it to decks that run white or at least have mana fixing capabilities to accommodate white mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for A Cloister Gargoyle is relatively steep considering its initial stats. For three mana, players may expect a higher impact card that affects the board immediately upon playing.
Reasons to Include A-Cloister Gargoyle in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Cloister Gargoyle adds flexibility to your deck building, capable of complementing not only defensive strategies but also serving as an early blocker. Transforming into a formidable threat upon meeting its dungeon delving condition, it allows for a dynamic gameplay approach.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with dungeon-related mechanics, opening up combo avenues with other cards that benefit from venturing into dungeons or exploiting completed dungeon bonuses, enhancing strategic depth and interaction within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta rich with dungeon-viable decks or where adaptability is key, A-Cloister Gargoyle’s ability to evolve on the battlefield proves especially beneficial, making it a tactical inclusion against various opponents.
How to beat
The Cloister Gargoyle presents a unique challenge with its dungeon-venturing abilities that bolster its stats in MTG. As with most creatures that rely on synergies, the key to handling this gargoyle lies in disrupting those synergies or dealing with the threat before it becomes formidable. Timing is crucial here. Removing it early on, before it has had the chance to transform by completing a dungeon, is ideal. Spells that can exile creatures or counter them upon casting can prevent the venture mechanic from coming into play.
Control decks should consider sweepers to clear the board of the Cloister Gargoyle and other creatures without investing multiple removal spells. For faster-paced games, creatures with flying blockers can mitigate the issue temporarily. Consider instant-speed removal to catch your opponent off-guard, minimizing the value they gain from the venture mechanic. Alternatively, focus on winning the race by bypassing the gargoyle altogether with unblockable or high-powered threats that pressure your opponent’s life total more aggressively.
Ultimately, an understanding of your own deck’s strengths and weaknesses, paired with a tactical approach to managing the board, will give you the edge against the Cloister Gargoyle. Consistency and efficient use of your resources will ensure that the gargoyle doesn’t become a towering problem in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Cloister Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the A-Cloister Gargoyle and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Cloister Gargoyle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |