Ersatz Gnomes MTG Card


Ersatz Gnomes provides card versatility by changing permanent colors at instant speed, catering to various strategies. The card’s ability can cause a discard, which may be a downside if hand resources are already low. Despite its three-mana cost, its uniqueness and adaptability make Ersatz Gnomes a noteworthy collection addition.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Gnome
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

oc T: Target spell is colorless. Play this ability as an interrupt. oc T: Target permanent is colorless until end of turn.

From jungle to sea, from sea to stone, from stone to field, from field to bone. What am I? —Zhalfirin riddle


Cards like Ersatz Gnomes

Ersatz Gnomes offers flexibility to MTG players crafting strategies around artifact manipulation. It’s often paralleled with cards like Neurok Transmuter, giving players the ability to change a creature’s card type until the end of the turn. However, Ersatz Gnomes can uniquely make any permanent into an artifact in addition to its other types, until the end of the turn and without losing its original types, which can be a tactical advantage in certain situations.

Another comparative card is Liquimetal Coating, which despite being a static artifact, shares the trait of transforming any target permanent into an artifact. While Ersatz Gnomes requires a creature on the field to function, Liquimetal Coating offers a repeatable effect each turn without the need for a creature. Additionally, Mycosynth Lattice extends this effect across the board, turning all permanents into artifacts, though its higher mana cost makes it a less frequently used option when similar, more cost-effective effects are necessary.

To summarize, Ersatz Gnomes holds its place in MTG decks that capitalize on artifact synergies. It stands out due to its ability to affect any permanent type, adding a broad usability to its inclusion in different game strategies.

Neurok Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Neurok Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ersatz Gnomes by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ersatz Gnomes has a unique ability that can convert the color of your permanent, which makes it versatile in various situations. This can potentially allow you to bypass certain restrictive conditions that are color-specific, tweaking the dynamics in your favor without losing card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, the adaptability provided by Ersatz Gnomes can function as a form of indirect resource acceleration. It allows you to align your resources more efficiently, ensuring you don’t miss crucial plays due to color limitations.

Instant Speed: The ability to alter the color of permanents at instant speed gives you significant flexibility during gameplay. It enables you to react to your opponent’s moves and adjust strategies on the fly, keeping the tempo of the game within your control.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ersatz Gnomes forces you to discard a card when its ability is used. This can lead to a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running low on options.

Specific Mana Cost: To play Ersatz Gnomes, you’re required to tap lands for colorless mana. This necessity can be restrictive since the card may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored mana bases that prioritize colored mana for other spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana to cast, Ersatz Gnomes may compete for the same mana resources as other pivotal three-cost spells in your deck, which could offer more immediate or impactful benefits upon resolution.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ersatz Gnomes offers unique flexibility for players, acting as a key piece in decks that modify the color attributes of permanents, making this card adaptable for various strategies.

Combo Potential: This card excels in creating unexpected synergies, particularly with cards that have color-specific interactions, expanding the breadth of potentially game-winning combos within your arsenal.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where color matters—be it benefits from certain colors or color hate cards—Ersatz Gnomes can be an essential tool, adapting to the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play.


How to Beat

Ersatz Gnomes may not seem intimidating at first, but they can throw a wrench into your strategies in MTG, especially when dealing with color-centric decks. These peculiar little artifacts offer a unique ability to convert the color of other permanents on the field to colorless. This can disrupt decks reliant on color protections or targeting abilities and turn the tide of a game.

To effectively counter Ersatz Gnomes, consider using artifact removal spells that don’t hinge on color properties. Abilities that deal with artifacts on a broader scope, such as Naturalize or the more recent Release to the Wind, can effectively clear your path from these pesky constructs. Additionally, keeping a versatile range of removal in your deck helps ensure that Ersatz Gnomes won’t be a long-term thorn in your side. Targeted removal spells that aren’t contingent on colors, like Fatal Push or the exile effect of Path to Exile, are also excellent choices.

While Ersatz Gnomes are a card that require some consideration, a well-prepared player who anticipates the need for colorless removal tools won’t find them difficult to overcome, maintaining the flow of their well-tuned MTG deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ersatz Gnomes MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and The List, 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 Ersatz Gnomes and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ersatz Gnomes Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1996-10-08. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 3011997NormalBlackRon Spencer
22020-09-26The ListPLST MIR-3011997NormalBlackRon Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ersatz Gnomes has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 If Ersatz Gnomes targets a spell that becomes a permanent, the permanent will enter the battlefield colorless and will remain colorless until it leaves the battlefield (or until another effect changes its color).