Centaur Garden MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 316
2003-08-07 - Number dh316
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
| Abilities | Threshold |
Text of card
oc T: Add o G to your mana pool. Centaur Garden deals 1 damage to you. Threshold o G, oc T, Sacrifice Centaur Garden: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn. (Play this ability only if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)
Cards like Centaur Garden
Centaur Garden enters the universe of MTG as a unique land with the capacity to pump up a creature on the battlefield. It stands in the same category as lands like Kessig Wolf Run but Centaur Garden is distinguished by its synergy with decks that embrace graveyard strategies since it requires you to sacrifice it and includes the card threshold mechanic.
In comparison, Kessig Wolf Run can be repeatedly used to give any creature trample and additional power, making it more versatile over the long game. Slippery Karst, while unlike Centaur Garden in its primary function, does offer an alternative as a cycling land. It allows you to draw a card instead of tapping for mana, which provides a different type of strategic flexibility. Meanwhile, another similar card, Yavimaya Hollow, grants the ability to regenerate a creature, offering a protective advantage rather than an offensive boost like Centaur Garden.
Assessing their uses in MTG, Centaur Garden may be most beneficial for players who can effectively leverage the graveyard-enhancing threshold, giving it a niche but potentially powerful role in the right deck composition.
Cards similar to Centaur Garden by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Centaur Garden has the utility to grant players access to an additional card, which can be pivotal in tight matches where drawing the right card at the right time can swing the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Nestled within its abilities, this land can be harnessed to convert into an extra green mana source, which is essential for accelerating your resources and enabling the deployment of larger threats or key spells earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: The power to activate Centaur Garden’s effect at instant speed gives players the flexibility to enhance a creature’s power just before a crucial combat interaction or in response to an opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool for any strategic play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Activating Centaur Garden’s ability necessitates sacrificing it, which can be a steep cost to pay, particularly if land resources are scarce on your battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: To utilize its ability, you need to devote one green mana, making it less flexible for multicolor decks that may not always have the green mana readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the boost to creature power can be pivotal, the total cost of tapping three lands and sacrificing Centaur Garden itself might be higher compared to other options, potentially setting you back in terms of mana development.
Reasons to Include Centaur Garden in Your Collection
Versatility: Centaur Garden isn’t just a land; it provides a tactical boost in creature-heavy decks. It can be used to power up your creatures at key moments, often providing the extra push needed to win combat or close out a game.
Combo Potential: This card has great synergy with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or those that need a little extra push for trample damage. It can also serve as a surprise element, turning an otherwise harmless creature into a significant threat.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames shift towards midrange creature battles, Centaur Garden gains value. Its ability to offer a timely boost can be pivotal in matchups where board presence and creature size are crucial for securing victories.
How to beat
Centaur Garden is a unique land card in Magic: The Gathering that serves as a double-edged sword. Players often use it to boost creature power, turning the tide of battle in their favor. However, the card comes at the cost of sacrificing the land itself and a spot in your land count, making the decision to activate its ability a critical one.
Defeating a player using Centaur Garden involves a strategic approach to resource management. One tactic is to employ land destruction or control methods to disrupt their mana base before they can utilize the card’s effect. Targeted removal spells can also play a vital role, especially after an opponent has committed to the pump ability, leaving them down a card and making it easier for you to regain control.
Another approach is to draw out the game, encouraging your opponent to invest heavily in a single creature. By doing this, you can better position yourself to remove the threat after they’ve used the Centaur Garden, leaving them at a significant disadvantage without the land and with fewer resources to recover.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Centaur Garden MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Centaur Garden 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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Printings
The Centaur Garden Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2003-08-07. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 316 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | dh316 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Centaur Garden has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |