Geralf's Messenger MTG Card

Geralf's Messenger - Dark Ascension (DKA)

Dark Ascension (DKA)
2012-02-03 - Number 63

Geralf's Messenger - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)

Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
2019-12-02 - Number 9997

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number DKA-63

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Zombie
Abilities	Undying
Power	3
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Undying ability grants Geralf’s Messenger prolonged board presence and continuous opponent life pressure.
Requiring three black mana, it’s a powerful but mana-specific investment for mono-black decks.
Despite lacking instant speed, it has a strong enter-the-battlefield effect that reduces opponent life.

Text of card

Geralf's Messenger enters the battlefield tapped. When Geralf's Messenger enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 2 life. Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Geralf’s Messenger provides inherent card advantage through its undying ability. After its initial destruction, it returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter, essentially giving you two creatures for the price of one and pressuring your opponent without extra resource investment.

Resource Acceleration: This card fits seamlessly into mono-black or black-centric decks, efficiently contributing to your board state. While it doesn’t produce mana or tokens, its persistent presence can allow you to keep applying pressure without the need to expend additional cards from your hand.

Instant Speed: Although Geralf’s Messenger lacks instant speed itself, its enter the battlefield ability causes life loss to an opponent, indirectly providing an advantage similar to instant speed effects by affecting the game state immediately and paving the way for opportune plays on subsequent turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Geralf’s Messenger lacks a discard mechanism, which means that it cannot directly influence your opponent’s hand, unlike other cards in the format that might disrupt the opponent’s strategy by forcing a discard.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires three black mana symbols for its casting cost, which can be challenging for multi-colored or splash decks to meet, especially early in the game when mana resources are more limited.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While carrying a potent undying ability, the initial mana investment of three black mana for a 3/2 creature can be steep compared to other options in the same mana range that may provide additional utility or more immediate board impact.

Reasons to Include Geralf’s Messenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Geralf’s Messenger is a robust addition to black-focused decks, thriving in strategies that capitalize on undying mechanics and persistent board presence. Its ability to return with a +1/+1 counter after being destroyed adds durability and threat to various game plans.

Combo Potential: The synergy with sacrifice outlets and other undying creatures makes this card a linchpin in many combo decks. It also pairs well with cards that manipulate counters, enabling multiple recurrences on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Geralf’s Messenger stands strong against many meta strategies due to its direct life loss ability upon entering the battlefield, giving it a recurring impact in games and making it a must-deal-with threat for opponents.

How to beat

Geralf’s Messenger is a well-known powerhouse in MTG, renowned for its resilience and impact on the battlefield. With its undying ability, knocking it out once doesn’t guarantee it stays down. When it enters the battlefield, it not only strips your opponent of life but also returns even stronger after being dealt with.

When facing off against Geralf’s Messenger, exile effects become a key strategy. Cards such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently remove the creature without triggering its undying ability. Keeping pressure on the opposing life total can also help, as Geralf’s Messenger effectively contributes to strategies that aim to diminish life totals quickly.

Additionally, graveyard manipulation with cards like Rest in Peace disrupts its undying mechanic by preventing the creature from returning to the battlefield. By understanding the mechanics at work and employing the right countermeasures, the daunting task of overcoming Geralf’s Messenger can certainly be achieved, preserving your board state and life total.

BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on your MTG journey with Geralf’s Messenger in your arsenal means bracing for a relentless offense and essential board presence that can turn the tide of battle. With its innate card advantage and potential to shake the meta, your deck could level up significantly. Fine-tuning your mono-black or zombie-themed deck with this creature could be your next strategic move. For those eager to exploit the undying mechanic or simply seeking to reinforce their lineup, inviting Geralf’s Messenger into your collection could be as strategically advantageous as it is menacing. Dive deeper with us and unlock the full potential of your MTG gameplay.

Cards like Geralf's Messenger

Geralf’s Messenger shines in the pantheon of undying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands tall alongside other undying powerhouses such as Strangleroot Geist, which also provides resilience on the battlefield. Yet, Geralf’s Messenger sets itself apart with its direct impact on the opponent’s life total, exacting a toll of two life upon entering the battlefield and each time it resurrects. Strangleroot Geist lacks this punishing effect but compensates with a cheaper mana cost and haste.

Another sibling in this category is Pyreheart Wolf. While not dealing direct damage or affecting life totals, Pyreheart Wolf offers a strategic advantage, granting your creatures menace until the end of turn when it dies – only to return for another round. Although it doesn’t hit an opponent’s life like Geralf’s Messenger, it subtly shifts combat to your favor.

Assessing the strategic utility, Geralf’s Messenger is a formidable card, especially in decks exploiting the repeated use of undying creatures. Its unique life-draining feature coupled with undying makes it a standout in MTG, particularly in mono-black decks focusing on incremental damage and resilience.

Cards similar to Geralf's Messenger by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Geralf's Messenger MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Geralf's Messenger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Geralf's Messenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2012-02-03	Dark Ascension	DKA	63	2003	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
2	~~2019-12-02~~	Secret Lair Drop	SLD	9997	2015	Normal	Black	Chris Seaman
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	DKA-63	2003	Normal	Black	Kev Walker