Grismold, the Dreadsower MTG Card


Grismold, the Dreadsower - Commander 2019
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Troll Shaman
Abilities Trample
Released2019-08-23
Set symbol
Set nameCommander 2019
Set codeC19
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number44
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFilip Burburan

Key Takeaways

  1. Grismold offers repetitive token generation, aiding card advantage and battlefield presence.
  2. The mana cost may hinder deck integration outside of Golgari combinations.
  3. Grismold’s potential growth aligns well with meta-relevant creature strategies.

Text of card

Trample At the beginning of your end step, each player creates a 1/1 green Plant creature token. Whenever a creature token dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Grismold, the Dreadsower.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grismold the Dreadsower stands out for continuously creating tokens, effectively giving its controller an inexhaustible stream of creatures. This allows for consistent card advantage as each token can represent potential draws, chump blockers, or pressure on your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens that can be used for such, it does help accelerate resources in the form of creatures. Each Plant token created at the end of turn can be leveraged in numerous ways, including synergizing with sacrifice outlets or enhancing effects that benefit from having a large number of creatures on the field.

Instant Speed: Grismold may not be an instant himself, but his ability triggers at the end step, allowing players to benefit from the generated tokens on their next turn. This aspect couples timely with instant-speed spells, making sure players can maximally utilize their new creatures, either defensively or offensively, once their turn rolls around.

Piloting a deck with Grismold at the helm or within the 99 can significantly benefit from these aspects, turning each end step into an opportunity to swell the ranks and apply pressure, all the while keeping the board state advantageous and resourceful.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Grismold the Dreadsower provides a unique gameplay mechanic, there’s a downside to consider. Each turn, as tokens are created and subsequently destroyed, it may indirectly force you to discard cards to keep your hand size within the maximum limit. This could potentially deplete your hand of essential cards you may have been saving for strategic plays later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Grismold comes with a distinct mana cost that requires black and green mana. For players not running a Golgari deck—that is, a deck that includes both black and green mana—integrating Grismold can present challenges. This cost specificity can lead to mana pool optimization issues, especially in multicolored decks where mana accessibility for all card colors is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a commander, Grismold starts off with a three mana cost, which is relatively on the high side when stacked against other options available in the commander pool. For players looking to establish early game presence or who prioritize speed over gradual board build-up, this mana investment can sometimes feel like a setback, especially in fast-paced metagames where every mana point and turn counts.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grismold the Dreadsower provides a unique role in token-based strategies, easily slotting into both aggressive and attrition-based decks. Its ability to generate tokens for not just you, but also your opponents, sets the stage for diverse interactions and makes it a compelling choice for various build styles.

Combo Potential: With Grismold, concocting clever combinations becomes second nature. This card thrives on the death of creature tokens, growing in power with every token that perishes. The synergies with cards that benefit from or result in creature deaths can turn Grismold into a formidable threat, making it a powerhouse in combo-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence is paramount, Grismold the Dreadsower rises to the challenge. In a meta filled with token generators and sacrifice effects, this card gains value as it interacts with common themes and strategies, ensuring it stays relevant and often gives you the upper hand in creature-heavy matchups.


How to beat

Grismold the Dreadsower introduces a unique challenge to Magic: The Gathering players with its ability to create tokens for your opponents and grow stronger with each token’s demise. To successfully navigate against this threat, it’s vital to control the field and prevent token buildup. Tools such as board wipes that exile, like “Settle the Wreckage,” truncate Grismold’s growth and keep the board clear. Efficient creature removals, especially those that don’t destroy but rather send creatures back to hand or deck like “Condemn,” also hinder the strategy without fueling Grismold’s strength.

Additionally, grave pact effects that force opponents to sacrifice can be a double-edged sword against this towering trampler. By managing your creature presence cleverly, you can mitigate the detrimental effect of your tokens dying. Tactics that bypass Grismold’s continuously accruing power—such as flying creatures, unblockable mechanics, or direct damage spells like “Lightning Bolt”—are practical routes too. Lastly, strategically timing your removals to keep Grismold at bay is essential, ensuring you engage when it’s already amassed tokens, thereby minimizing its potential for growth and maintaining dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is as much about knowledge as it is about cunning play. Grismold the Dreadsower is a card that embodies this blend perfectly, offering a strategic edge for those who wield it skillfully within their decks. Its ability to generate tokens consistently provides a robust avenue for card advantage and synergistic plays. For players looking to enhance their decks with a mix of aggression and resourcefulness, Grismold can be a key contender. Ready to dive deeper into optimizing your gameplay with Grismold the Dreadsower? Discover new strategies, refine your deck-building techniques, and stay ahead of the game by joining our community of enthusiasts. Let’s cultivate your winning edge together.


Cards like Grismold, the Dreadsower

Grismold the Dreadsower is a unique commander in Magic the Gathering that brings an atypical approach to token generation. It shares some strategic resonance with cards like Tendershoot Dryad. Tendershoot Dryad excels in creating Saprolings during each upkeep, bolstering your creature base consistently. Where Grismold shines is in the potential for exponential growth through token creation whenever any creature dies, not just your own, and then further buffing Grismold with +1/+1 counters.

In contrast, another card to consider is Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest, which offers a similar +1/+1 counter accumulation strategy. Mazirek, however, triggers whenever a player sacrifices a permanent, leading to a more controlled but less inclusive approach compared to Grismold’s universal trigger. Yet, both cards are capable of quickly spiraling into formidable threats if not dealt with by opponents promptly.

Lastly, we take into account Mycoloth, famed for devouring creatures and subsequently producing Saprolings. Mycoloth can generate a massive number of tokens but requires a preliminary sacrifice, unlike Grismold that thrives on the mere existence of creature demise. Combining a carefully curated deck to exploit these synergies positions Grismold the Dreadsower as a compelling commander for players who appreciate unconventional strategies and nurturing overwhelming board states.

Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest - MTG Card versions
Mycoloth - MTG Card versions
Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grismold, the Dreadsower MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2019, 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 Grismold, the Dreadsower and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grismold, the Dreadsower has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grismold, the Dreadsower card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-08-23 Each Plant token is owned by the player who created it. You don’t own them all.
2019-08-23 If Grismold is dealt lethal damage at the same time as a creature token, Grismold won’t receive a counter from its ability in time to save it.
2019-08-23 In a multiplayer game, if a creature token dies at the same time its controller loses the game, Grismold’s last ability triggers.

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