Arisen Gorgon MTG Card


Arisen Gorgon - Core Set 2019
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Gorgon
Released2018-07-13
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2019
Set codeM19
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number292
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byLivia Prima

Key Takeaways

  1. Arisen Gorgon excels in zombie decks, boosting hand and battlefield presence through strategic synergies.
  2. Best used in mono-black or zombie-centric decks due to specific mana requirements and discard synergies.
  3. Offers a strong defensive position in creature-heavy metas with its inherent deathtouch ability.

Text of card

Arisen Gorgon has deathtouch as long as you control a Liliana planeswalker. (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)

"I'm not picky about what comes up, but the less decay, the better." —Liliana Vess


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arisen Gorgon provides a unique layer of advantage in decks that focus on zombie synergy. Its ability to be a significant threat on the board while potentially enabling graveyard strategies helps to maintain a strong hand and battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Arisen Gorgon doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its synergy with other zombie cards can streamline your strategy, effectively accelerating your game plan. This interplay with other cards can lead to a more efficient utilization of your available mana and resources each turn.

Instant Speed: Although Arisen Gorgon operates at sorcery speed, its immediate impact on the board state upon being cast can be quite substantial, especially when timed well with the resurrection of other zombies. The instant-speed revival of the zombie cards that synergize with Arisen Gorgon can create powerful and unexpected plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Arisen Gorgon requires a creature card with a zombie card to be present on the battlefield to maximize its potential, which may necessitate specific deck-building strategies or adjustments mid-game to leverage its abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both black and colorless mana, integrating Arisen Gorgon into multicolored decks can be challenging. This can impact its flexibility and viability in various MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a 3/3 with deathtouch can deter opponents, the three mana required to cast Arisen Gorgon is significant when compared to other creatures with similar abilities. Savvy players may find more cost-effective creatures that offer deathtouch or other advantages without the heavy mana investment.


Reasons to Include Arisen Gorgon in Your Collection

Versatility: Arisen Gorgon offers a solid defensive option for black-focused decks craving resilience. Her deathtouch ability makes her a robust blocker capable of deterring enemy creatures, large and small.

Combo Potential: With the right set of cards, Arisen Gorgon elevates zombie tribal decks. Coupled with mechanics that revive or exploit zombie creatures, she integrates smoothly into strategies based around undead synergy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having access to deathtouch on board alters the way opponents must approach combat. This makes Arisen Gorgon relevant in various metagames, particularly if the format favors aggressive creature decks.


How to beat

Confronting Arisen Gorgon on the battlefield requires strategic moves and careful deck selection. This zombie warrior’s key strengths lie in its deathtouch ability, making it a lethal defender and a dangerous adversary for any attacker. It poses a unique threat primarily to decks heavy on creature-based strategies since any creature that faces it in battle risks certain destruction.

One effective approach is to utilize removal spells that can bypass its deathtouch, such as exile effects or board wipes that don’t involve direct combat. Spells like Path to Exile or Wrath of God offer clean solutions by removing the gorgon from play without triggering its deadly ability. For a more subtle maneuver, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize it without requiring a direct confrontation.

Taking into account the gorgon’s strengths can inform your deck-building choices. Including versatile removal options ensures readiness not only for Arisen Gorgon but for a variety of potential threats. With the right tactics and spells at hand, triumphing over the haunting gaze of Arisen Gorgon is within any skilled player’s grasp.


Cards like Arisen Gorgon

Arisen Gorgon, a noteworthy creature card in MTG, shares the battlefield with other zombie warriors like Diregraf Colossus and Death Baron. Diregraf Colossus not only provides you with a formidable creature but also rewards you with a zombie token for each zombie spell you cast, bolstering your undead army. In contrast, Arisen Gorgon’s personal barricade against non-legendary creatures, thanks to its deathtouch ability, makes it a stout defender.

Looking at Death Baron, it offers a passive yet compelling boost to your zombies, granting them deathtouch, which Arisen Gorgon intrinsically possesses. The Baron’s advantage lies in the blanket enhancement it provides, elevating your entire zombie horde’s threat level. While not as individually robust as the Gorgon, in a swarm of zombies, Death Baron can be the linchpin of an aggressive, hard-to-block army.

Each card carries its unique strengths to the zombie archetype. Arisen Gorgon stands out by providing a stalwart single card solution, making it a suitable choice for those looking to strengthen their defense while maintaining offensive capabilities within their MTG zombie decks.

Diregraf Colossus - MTG Card versions
Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Colossus - Shadows over Innistrad Promos (PSOI)
Death Baron - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Cards similar to Arisen Gorgon by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Severed Legion - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hypnotic Specter - Magic Player Rewards 2006 (P06)
Dusk Imp - Tenth Edition (10E)
Severed Legion - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arisen Gorgon MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 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 Arisen Gorgon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arisen Gorgon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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