Deathgazer MTG Card

Deathgazer offers card advantage, rewarding players with card draws for each creature defeated. Flexible instant-speed ability of Deathgazer disrupts opponents, ensuring tactical superiority in battles. Despite its strengths, Deathgazer requires discarding cards, making it a strategic choice to play.

Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
1999-10-04 - Number 130

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 126

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 126★

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 124

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 124★

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Lizard
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Whenever Deathgazer blocks or becomes blocked by a nonblack creature, destroy that creature at end of combat.

Cards like Deathgazer

Deathgazer stands out among Magic: The Gathering’s creatures because of its ability to impact the board. It bears some resemblance to Royal Assassin, a classic card known for picking off tapped creatures. The Deathgazer, however, requires mana to activate its ability, which targets and destroys an opposing creature. This makes it slightly less efficient in comparison, since Royal Assassin operates at no extra cost.

Looking at Nekrataal, we notice a familiar feel as it also brings removal to the table, destroying a nonartifact, nonblack creature upon entering the battlefield. Unlike Deathgazer, Nekrataal’s ability is a one-time effect rather than an activatable ability, which could be a benefit or a drawback depending on the game’s circumstances. Another comparable card, Skinrender, arrives on the scene with the ability to distribute -1/-1 counters, which can eliminate smaller threats immediately or weaken larger ones over time, though not as directly as Deathgazer’s targeted removal.

The crux of these comparisons lies in mana efficiency and the flexibility of removal. Whether the instant impact of a Nekrataal or the repeatability of a Deathgazer suits your game plan better will greatly influence your deck choice. Deathgazer’s requirement for a mana investment to use its ability each time adds a strategic layer to gameplay, rewarding foresight and careful management of resources.

Cards similar to Deathgazer by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Deathgazer, each creature defeated provides a card draw, giving you a significant edge by replenishing your hand and maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Deathgazer can operate as a form of resource acceleration. By removing key threats, it effectively diminishes the resources your opponent has at their disposal, tilting the resource balance in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed affords flexibility, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at critical moments. This can give you the upper hand during battle, keeping opponents on the back foot.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Deathgazer card necessitates discarding one of your own cards as a form of additional cost. This can hinder your game strategy, especially if your hand is already running thin and you can’t afford to lose more cards from it.

Specific Mana Cost: Deathgazer’s casting cost requires not just any mana, but a precise combination. This might not always align with your deck’s mana base, making it less versatile in decks that don’t consistently produce the necessary colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to bring Deathgazer into play is significant. Even in a mid-game scenario, dedicating a substantial amount of mana to a single card can put you at a strategic disadvantage if the opposing player capitalizes on the tempo loss.

Reasons to Include Deathgazer in Your Collection

Versatility: Deathgazer stands out for its ability to adapt to various gameplay situations. It can act both as a defensive bulwark and an offensive threat, making it a flexible pick for many deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: With its unique abilities, Deathgazer can be a linchpin in combos, enabling and enhancing strategies centered around graveyard manipulation or creature-based synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play, Deathgazer’s capacity to either hold off aggressive opponents or to turn the tides by seizing control makes it a card worth considering in the current meta.

How to beat

Confronted with the challenge of playing against Deathgazer on the board, MTG players need a strategic approach to overcome this formidable card. Deathgazer’s potent abilities pose a significant threat, but like any card in Magic: The Gathering, it is not unbeatable. Smart play and careful deck construction can help you navigate around the dangers it presents.

Evasion and removal are key tactics to outpace Deathgazer. Utilizing spells that can exile or destroy creatures without triggering lethal effects can swing the game back in your favor. Moreover, incorporating cards that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn or leverage hexproof abilities can nullify Deathgazer’s intimidating presence. Another angle is to play with cards that alter combat, such as those that prevent a creature from attacking or blocking. Finally, remember to keep your life total healthy, as it will give you more flexibility when planning your moves and enduring any direct damage that may come your way.

By assessing your deck options and anticipating how to neutralize threats, you can stay a step ahead of Deathgazer’s potential impact on the game. Remember, knowledge of your cards and a well-thought-out strategy can make all the difference in securing your victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deathgazer MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Eighth Edition, 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 Deathgazer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deathgazer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-10-04	Mercadian Masques	MMQ	130	1997	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola
2	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	126	2003	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
3	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	126★	2003	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola
4	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	124	2003	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
5	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	124★	2003	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deathgazer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal