Cemetery Gate MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 44b
1995-10-01 - Number 44a
2016-11-16 - Number 65835
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender,Protection |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Protection from black
"Just the place for a picnic." —Murat, Death Speaker
Cards like Cemetery Gate
Cemetery Gate may not be the flashiest of defenders in the MTG realm, but it serves its purpose well within the archetypes it’s played. Its closest relatives in the defender category come in the form of Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms, both of which offer additional value upon entering the battlefield through card draw. While Cemetery Gate doesn’t provide card advantage, it compensates with a higher toughness and the ability to block black creatures which could be pivotal in specific matchups.
Comparing mana cost and utility, we find Guardian of the Guildpact. Although not strictly a defender, it shares Cemetery Gate’s protection from monocolored feature. Guardian offers a more aggressive approach as it can attack and defend effectively against a wide array of creatures, making it a versatile choice in decks that can accommodate the four-colored mana cost. But for pure defensive strategies, Cemetery Gate holds the fort with its lower casting cost and its specific role as a reliable defensive wall.
Each of these cards caters to different strategies, but Cemetery Gate stands firm in its niche, offering solid defense in pauper formats and casual play where evasion and durability are key.
Cards similar to Cemetery Gate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Cemetery Gate card offers a strategic edge by allowing you to utilize various graveyard mechanics, providing potential card advantage as you benefit from the cards cycling through your graveyard.
Resource Acceleration: While Cemetery Gate itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its defensive capabilities can effectively protect your resources, helping you to pave the way for your more impactful late-game plays.
Instant Speed: Though Cemetery Gate operates at sorcery speed, pairing it with cards that can be played at instant speed allows you to remain adaptive. Your defense is set while you keep mana available for quick responses during critical phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to Cemetery Gate, a player must consider the impact of discarding a card. This requirement can prove to be a critical disadvantage, especially in situations where your hand is already depleted or each card holds significant strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: Cemetery Gate necessitates a precise mana cost that includes black mana, thereby anchoring it firmly within that color’s deck archetypes. This can severely restrict its inclusion in multicolored or colorless decks, potentially hampering its versatility across different playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For decks aiming for efficiency, Cemetery Gate’s mana cost may appear somewhat steep. As it requires three mana, including one black, players must weigh its defensive utility against other potential inclusions that could offer more immediate board impact or value for the same, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cemetery Gate shines in decks that prioritize defense, fitting well in strategies that delay the game or control the board. Its ability to block most creatures due to the high toughness makes it a solid inclusion in your defensive lineup.
Combo Potential: This card can be part of a combo that benefits from defenders or high toughness creatures. With the right synergies, Cemetery Gate can contribute to surprising your opponents with unexpected tactics.
Meta-Relevance: If your local or online metagame is bursting with aggressive decks, Cemetery Gate can be a useful roadblock. Slowing down swarms of attackers allows more complex board states to be set up, giving you a necessary edge.
How to beat
Cemetery Gate might seem like just another wall card in MTG, providing reliable defense on the battlefield. Its ability to block creatures with menace can be a game-changer, setting it aside from other similar protective cards. But as with any good defensive measure, there are strategies to navigate around it.
One effective way is by using removal spells that can target and destroy enchantments, bypassing its protection ability. Another approach is taking advantage of the fact that Cemetery Gate can be outmaneuvered by creatures with flying, as long as they don’t have menace. Aggressive strategies can also work, using high power creatures to overwhelm the defender, considering that Cemetery Gate has limited toughness. Exploiting these weaknesses could be the key to gaining advantage over an opponent relying on Cemetery Gate for protection.
Understanding these strategies can help players form their battle plans, ensuring that they’re not hindered by what could seem like an impenetrable defense. With the right moves, Cemetery Gate can be turned from a formidable barrier into just a minor obstacle on the road to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cemetery Gate MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Cemetery Gate 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Cemetery Gate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2016-11-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 44b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 44a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 65835 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cemetery Gate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |