Cliffgate MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Land — Gate |
| Released | 2022-06-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | CLB |
| Number | 350 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Emmanuel Shiu |
Text of card
Cliffgate enters the battlefield tapped. As Cliffgate enters the battlefield, choose a color other than red. : Add or one mana of the chosen color.
A partition between the hopeless living and the restless dead.
Cards like Cliffgate
Cliffgate stands as an intriguing land card within Magic: The Gathering, offering a distinct way for players to manage their mana base. When analyzed alongside its peers, Temple of Epiphany emerges as a card of note. Both carry the ability to tap for two types of mana, yet Temple of Epiphany offers the immediate advantage of scrying upon entry, at the cost of entering the battlefield tapped. Cliffgate, alternatively, allows for the choice between coming into play tapped or sacrificing a land for immediate use, giving players flexibility in their mana strategy.
We also cannot ignore the strategic kinship with Shivan Reef. As a pain land, it can tap for colorless mana or be used for either of its two mana types at a single life point cost, ensuring that players always have access to the mana they desire at a moment’s notice. While Cliffgate avoids the life loss, it does not guarantee the dual mana access without the potential sacrifice of a resource.
These comparisons illustrate Cliffgate’s unique position in the MTG universe as a land card that offers a delicate balance between immediate utility and long-term resource management. Its versatility can be crucial in decks that value land-count preservation or seek the right mana at the right time without the burden of life loss.
Cards similar to Cliffgate by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Cliffgate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mardu Synthesizer | Pauper | Mardu Synthesizer | Pauper League 2024-03-19 |
 | Flicker Gates | Pauper | Jeskai Ephemerate | Monthly Tournament #38 @ Paper Pauper Magic Discord |
 | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper League 2024-03-13 |
 | Ephemerate Gates | Pauper | Jeskai Ephemerate | Monthly Tournament #37 |
| 5C Gates | Pauper | Mardu Synthesizer | Tappa Lega Pauperissima "Road to Pisa" @Magic Akiba |
| Boros Bully | Pauper | Boros Bully | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-07 |
| Burn | Pauper | Burn | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-05 |
| Boros Aggro | Pauper | Mardu Synthesizer | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 2^ tappa PISA 2024 |
| Mardu Midrange | Pauper | Mardu Synthesizer | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 2^ tappa PISA 2024 |
 | Five-color Combo | Legacy | Painter | Charlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 1 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Cliffgate, players can expand their hand size, gaining substantial card advantage. This is critical for outmaneuvering opponents and keeping a steady flow of options throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Cliffgate offers an exceptional boost in terms of resources. By ramping up your mana production, you can deploy bigger threats or multiple spells earlier in the game, tipping the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Cliffgate at instant speed adds a layer of flexibility and surprise to your strategy. This allows savvy players to adapt to the unfolding game and make impactful moves without sacrificing their turn-based plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Cliffgate to impact the game, players have to navigate the hurdle of its discard requirement. This cost means parting with another card in your hand, which could deplete your resources and limit your strategic options, especially in a tight match where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Cliffgate demands a specific array of mana colors to cast. This specificity can create a stumbling block for decks that either run multiple colors or prioritize flexibility in mana usage, as it necessitates careful planning and potentially complex mana bases to ensure it can be played on time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than several alternatives, Cliffgate may not always be the optimal choice for players who need to establish early game presence or those looking to maximize mana efficiency. This can result in it being a less desirable pick during deck building when considering cost-to-benefit ratios in relation to other available cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cliffgate offers a dual land that enters the battlefield tapped unless you control two or more other lands. This trait allows it to be a stable resource in multi-color decks, aiding consistency in mana availability from the early to the late game.
Combo Potential: Its capacity to provide two different types of mana helps enable a variety of combos and synergies in decks that rely on color diversity to execute their strategies.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment adapts, having reliable mana sources like Cliffgate that can pivot between color requirements is crucial, particularly in formats where the deck’s pace and resource flexibility can dictate the outcome of matches.
How to Beat
Cliffgate is a unique MTG card that offers players a strategic advantage with its ability to control the battlefield. When playing against it, the key is to disrupt this control. You can achieve this by prioritizing the removal of creatures that are bolstering Cliffgate’s power. This approach minimizes Cliffgate’s effect and restores balance to the game.
Another effective strategy is to enhance your deck’s agility. Cards that allow you to untap your own lands or creatures can counter the tempo loss caused by Cliffgate. Additionally, including instant-speed removal in your deck can prove invaluable when facing creatures protected by Cliffgate, as it allows you to interact on your opponent’s turn, circumventing the gate’s restrictions.
To sum up, overcoming Cliffgate requires a tactical shift in your deck construction and playstyle. Focus on removal, card efficiency, and maintaining an aggressive pace to ensure that Cliffgate’s presence on the battlefield does not dictate the flow of the game. This will put you in a better position to claim victory even when faced with this formidable card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cliffgate MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Cliffgate 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cliffgate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |