Abyssal Gorestalker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 87 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Maxime Minard |
Text of card
When Abyssal Gorestalker enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices two creatures.
Its kin once overran entire civilizations, but they tore each other to pieces in their unending hunger. Now only it remains.
Cards like Abyssal Gorestalker
The Abyssal Gorestalker is a new creature card that brings unique mechanics to the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. When compared with similar cards, its menacing presence is somewhat mirrored in cards like Balustrade Spy. Both cards share the flying ability, allowing them to evade various ground-based defenses. However, the Abyssal Gorestalker forgoes Balustrade Spy’s mill ability for a more direct damage-dealing capacity, with potential to deal damage to creatures upon death.
Another peer in the creature lineup is Duskmantle Prowler, which also offers both flying and haste, enabling it to strike quickly. Where Duskmantle Prowler provides exalted bonuses, enhancing its attack when alone, Abyssal Gorestalker shines with its ability to impact the board state significantly upon its departure.
In the realm of impactful death triggers, Vengeful Reaper stands out with deathtouch and foretell, giving players strategic flexibility. Unlike the reaper, the Gorestalker’s death ability affects the board more broadly rather than targeting a single assailant. These comparisons underscore Abyssal Gorestalker’s potential power in matches, with its unique take on an aggressive flying creature with a punishing aftereffect.
Cards similar to Abyssal Gorestalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Abyssal Gorestalker can impact the board as soon as it enters the battlefield. It allows the player to draw a card every time it attacks, which can lead to a consistent flow of resources and maintains pressure on the opponent as you replenish your hand.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to its attacking benefits, this fearsome creature has an ability that can ramp up your mana resources. By providing an extra mana token under certain conditions, it can accelerate your gameplay, allowing you to play high-cost cards earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Its ability to become unblockable until end of turn at instant speed provides a tactical advantage. You can surprise your opponent by making it unblockable right before the declare attackers step, ensuring its card-drawing mechanic is utilized and potentially turning the tide of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Abyssal Gorestalker may necessitate discarding a card as an additional condition for casting or activating abilities. This could deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage, especially in the later stages of the game when resources are critical.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card comes with a particular mana cost that demands specific colors to cast it. Such a requirement could potentially restrict its integration into multicolored decks or those that do not align with its mana identity, hindering deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost situated on the higher end for its effect and power level, players might be reluctant to include Abyssal Gorestalker over alternative creatures. In a game where tempo is key, it may not provide enough immediate impact to justify its place in some strategies.
Reasons to Include Abyssal Gorestalker in Your Collection
Versatility: Abyssal Gorestalker offers a dynamic role in decks that favor an aggressive strategy. Its ability to impact the battlefield upon entry makes it a solid choice for players looking for creatures that provide immediate value.
Combo Potential: With its evasive abilities, the Abyssal Gorestalker works well in conjunction with cards that exploit the benefits of dealing combat damage to a player, thereby offering interesting avenues for synergy and combo creation.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board presence and resilient threats are key, the Abyssal Gorestalker could prove to be a formidable component capable of navigating through opponent’s defenses and shaping games in your favor.
How to defeat Abyssal Gorestalker
Abyssal Gorestalker is a creature card that can become a pressing issue on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Facing it requires a strategic approach, focusing on its vulnerabilities. One effective method to circumvent its threat is by leveraging removal spells that can bypass its potential hexproof ability, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation. These spells do not target individual creatures, thus circumventing the hexproof protection.
Control decks can be particularly potent against the Abyssal Gorestalker by countering it before it hits the play area. Counters like Counterspell or Negate can prevent this creature from ever becoming an active threat. From an aggressive standpoint, players can outpace the Abyssal Gorestalker by building a swift board presence that overwhelms the opponent before they stabilize with such powerful creatures.
Lastly, exile effects provide another layer of defense against troublesome creatures. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently remove Abyssal Gorestalker from the game. By keeping these strategies in mind, players can mitigate the impact of the Abyssal Gorestalker and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Abyssal Gorestalker MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Abyssal Gorestalker 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 Abyssal Gorestalker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Abyssal Gorestalker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | As the enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses which two creatures they are going to sacrifice, then each other player in turn order does the same. Players will know the choices of previous players when making their choices. Then all creatures are sacrificed by their controllers simultaneously. |
| 2023-11-10 | If a player controls only one creature as the ability resolves, they must sacrifice it. |
| 2023-11-10 | You may sacrifice Abyssal Gorestalker to its own ability. If it is the only creature you control or one of two creatures you control, you must sacrifice it. |