Gale Force MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Number | 209 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Lars Grant-West |
Text of card
Gale Force deals 5 damage to each creature with flying.
Everything the kami had done, they did with more force. Gentle breezes became typhoons, rolling rivers turned to crushing rapids, and gentle growth became overnight masses of thorns and vines.
Cards like Gale Force
Gale Force offers a unique approach to creature control within Magic: The Gathering. It’s on par with other removal spells like Windstorm, which serves the same purpose of dealing damage to creatures with flying. Gale Force distinguishes itself with its ability to potentially wipe out multiple airborne threats, a trait not seen in the more targeted single removal spells. While Windstorm also damages flying creatures, it’s versatile allowing the player to scale the damage with the amount of mana invested.
Comparatively, there’s Hurricane, another spell that affects flying creatures while also hitting each player. However, Gale Force is the safer choice if self-preservation is a priority, as it spares the caster from the damage. Lastly, we can draw parallels with Plummet, a spell aimed at removing individual flying creatures. Gale Force stands out with the ability to impact multiple targets, albeit for a higher mana cost. In contrast, Plummet’s lower cost and targeted nature make it a viable option when facing a single aerial threat.
Examining the nuances of each card, Gale Force holds a particular niche with its mass removal capability, elevating its status among options for dealing with creatures that take to the skies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gale Force by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gale Force can potentially eliminate multiple threats at once, offering a sweeping change in board state that can turn the tides of a game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: By effectively dealing with several creatures with flying, this card can pave the way for a more aggressive play style or help you maintain a position of power, effectively accelerating your route to victory.
Instant Speed: Though Gale Force is played at sorcery speed, its impact is immediate and decisive. Removing key flying creatures can hamper your opponent’s plans instantly, which is akin to the strategic flexibility often offered by instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gale Force demands a player to part with another card from their hand, which could be particularly taxing when the player’s hand is already running low on options. This makes the card less attractive during moments where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost is quite specific, requiring two green mana. This limitation means that only decks that run green mana can leverage Gale Force, potentially excluding it from a variety of multi-colored or colorless decks that are not equipped to generate the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana in total, Gale Force can be ponderous to cast when compared to other removal options available in MTG. Considering the pace of play and the swiftly changing board states, this mana investment may prove to be inefficient, particularly when faster alternatives might be available to address flying creatures with less of a mana commitment.
Reasons to Include Gale Force in Your Collection
Versatility: Gale Force offers a remarkable tool for decks looking to control air threats. With its ability to destroy multiple flying creatures at once, it is a must-have for dealing with popular flying archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies focused on punishing flying creatures or those that benefit from creatures dying, such as when you’re looking to take advantage of death triggers or graveyard-based mechanisms.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creatures with flying often find their way into competitive formats, Gale Force can be an effective sideboard card to tip the scales in your favor during such matchups, ensuring your collection remains tuned to the evolving gameplay environment.
How to Beat Gale Force
Gale Force presents a unique challenge as an enchantment that can disrupt creature strategies, particularly those reliant on flying creatures. It’s not as broad in removal as some other spells, but it’s particularly effective in stymying aerial tactics. To navigate around this, consider diversifying your creature base, employing more ground-based threats, or creatures with abilities that circumvent Gale Force.
Utilizing enchantment removal spells is a straightforward strategy. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant, which can directly target and destroy enchantments, are efficient ways to dismantle an opponent’s Gale Force. Alternatively, shifting towards a more spell-heavy approach with fewer creatures can reduce the impact of Gale Force on your game plan.
Moreover, emphasizing creatures with hexproof or shroud can provide resilience against such target-specific removals. By having these kinds of creatures in your arsenal, Gale Force’s effect is significantly negated, keeping your flying creatures safe and maintaining aerial dominance in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gale Force MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Gale Force and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gale Force has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |