Gamekeeper MTG Card


Gamekeeper offers card advantage by fetching creatures upon death, enhancing your board state significantly. It synergizes with instant speed effects, enabling strategic plays that can unsettle your opponent. Despite its power, Gamekeeper requires tactical play to navigate its specific mana cost and trigger conditions.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Gamekeeper is put into a graveyard from play, you may remove Gamekeeper from the game. If you do, reveal cards from your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into play and put the other cards revealed this way into your graveyard.


Cards like Gamekeeper

Gamekeeper is an intriguing creature card option for those building in the realm of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card bears resemblance to other creature cards like Protean Hulk, which also has a death-trigger that allows you to fetch other creatures from your library. However, Gamekeeper’s uniqueness lies in its concoction of unpredictability and value generation by potentially putting any creature from your deck onto the battlefield upon its death.

In the same category, we have Lurking Predators, an enchantment that has a chance to cheat creatures onto the battlefield whenever an opponent casts a spell. While it does not require a creature to die, it continues to be an engine of creature deployment, much like Gamekeeper. On the other hand, there’s also Fierce Empath, which provides a more controlled but narrower result by searching for a specific creature card with high mana cost from your library to your hand.

In essence, Gamekeeper presents players with a spontaneous and resourceful twist in their gameplay. It stands out for its potential to unexpectedly swing the momentum in a player’s favor, positioning itself as a valuable piece in the vast library of creature-fetching options within Magic: The Gathering.

Protean Hulk - MTG Card versions
Lurking Predators - MTG Card versions
Fierce Empath - MTG Card versions
Protean Hulk - MTG Card versions
Lurking Predators - MTG Card versions
Fierce Empath - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gamekeeper by color, type and mana cost

Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
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Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions
Anaconda - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions
Anaconda - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Gamekeeper. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari OathGolgari Oath PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gamekeeper can unearth valuable creatures from your deck when it dies, ensuring a stream of high-impact monsters ready to dominate the board.

Resource Acceleration: this card works seamlessly with graveyard synergies or creature-based strategies, effectively turning a single resource into a more considerable battlefield presence.

Instant Speed: The card’s ability triggers at instant speed upon its death, which can be carefully timed with other effects for maximum strategic advantage, putting opponents in a bind during critical phases of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Gamekeeper is that you need to send it to the graveyard to reap its benefits. This often requires using additional cards or effects to ensure it dies, which may deplete valuable hand or board resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Gamekeeper comes with a very specific mana cost, which includes green. For players not running a deck that heavily relies on green mana, this could restrict the inclusion and usefulness of this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three generic and one green, the Gamekeeper is on the pricier side. For the effect of possibly getting a creature card onto the battlefield, there can be situations where the mana could be allocated to more immediate threats or defenses.


Reasons to Include Gamekeeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Gamekeeper can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, including those that capitalize on creature sacrifice or graveyard synergies. Its ability to potentially cheat in high-cost creatures adds substantial value to a myriad of strategies.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards that enable you to sacrifice it at will, Gamekeeper has the ability to unlock powerful creature-based combos. As it departs the battlefield, the resulting cascade of creature spells can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where control decks may prevent your key creatures from sticking on the board, Gamekeeper’s death-trigger can bypass traditional counterplay, ensuring you maintain a threatening board presence in the face of adversity.


How to Beat Gamekeeper

The Gamekeeper card is a unique component in the realms of MTG, celebrated for its ability to conjure creatures from your library when it dies. It’s akin to a magical piñata, spilling out potential game-changers upon its demise. That said, overcoming the advantages Gamekeeper provides can be straightforward with the right strategy.

One way to combat Gamekeeper’s effect is by implementing graveyard disruption. Cards like Bojuka Bog or Scavenging Ooze can remove crucial creatures from the opponent’s library before Gamekeeper has a chance to work its magic. Additionally, control decks might prefer countering it outright with spells like Counterspell, leaving your adversary without the resource and a squandered turn.

Moreover, substitution effects such as the Lignify or Darksteel Mutation can nullify Gamekeeper without triggering its ability, effectively turning it into a harmless entity. Another tactic is to keep Gamekeeper from facing death in combat. Pacifism or Arrest can hold Gamekeeper captive on the battlefield, impotent and unable to trigger its library-dipping ability.

Ultimately, while the Gamekeeper card has the potential to shift the tide of a match, a well-prepared player can neutralize the threat using graveyard hate, counter spells, or enchantments that prevent its death-triggered ability, maintaining the upper hand in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Assessing the unique strengths and weaknesses of Gamekeeper is crucial for any MTG enthusiast looking to enhance their deck’s performance. This card’s ability to potentially summon powerful creatures can revolutionize your gameplay, transforming the battlefield to your advantage. Careful synchronization with your deck’s strategy can amplify its impact, making it a sleeper hit in matches. Whether you’re aiming to capitalize on sheer sudden force or establishing control, Gamekeeper might be your key to victory. We encourage players seeking innovative tactics and those eager to harness the dynamic nature of MTG to explore the potential of Gamekeeper. Unlock its secret power and enrich your collection – delve into our deeper insights and strategies to become a formidable contender in your next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gamekeeper MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Conspiracy, 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 Gamekeeper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gamekeeper Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Scott Hampton.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-06-07Urza's DestinyUDS 1061997NormalBlackScott Hampton
22014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1652003NormalBlackScott Hampton
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1512015NormalBlackScott Hampton
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1622015NormalBlackScott Hampton

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gamekeeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-12-08 If Gamekeeper is no longer in your graveyard as its triggered ability resolves, you can’t choose to exile it. You won’t reveal cards from your library.