Gandalf, Friend of the Shire MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 401
2023-06-23 - Number 308
2023-06-23 - Number 501
2023-06-23 - Number 800
2023-06-23 - Number 50
2023-06-23 - Number 401
2019-12-02 - Number 1294
2023-06-23 - Number 5
Text of card
Flash You may cast sorcery spells as though they had flash. Whenever the Ring tempts you, if you chose a creature other than Gandalf, Friend of the Shire as your Ring-bearer, draw a card.
Cards like Gandalf, Friend of the Shire
Gandalf, Friend of the Shire is a unique addition to the array of support creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It is a perfect fit for decks that capitalize on creature synergy and control. One could compare Gandalf’s abilities to those found in cards such as Mentor of the Meek, renowned for its ability to draw cards whenever a low-powered creature enters the battlefield. While Mentor of the Meek has a more passive drawing ability, Gandalf allows for selective drawing, offering a strategic edge by choosing a card from the top few cards of a player’s library.
Moving on to another comparison, Solemn Simulacrum, sometimes affectionately known as Sad Robot, is also worth mentioning. This venerable card provides card draw and mana ramp, much like Gandalf, although it ramps immediately upon entering the battlefield rather than through a triggered ability. Solemn Simulacrum, however, doesn’t offer the same degree of selectivity in card advantage. Also, it is less about synergy with other creatures and more about consistent, albeit slow, value over time.
Gauging the subtle nuances between these cards, Gandalf, Friend of the Shire certainly holds a special place. It shines in decks that value creature-based strategies, choosing quality over quantity in terms of card advantage, and positions itself as a solid choice for players seeking that particular strategy in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gandalf, Friend of the Shire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gandalf, Friend of the Shire grants the ability to sift through the top cards of your library, selecting the ones that will best support your strategy. This selection process ensures that you’re not just drawing additional cards, but obtaining the specific tools needed to outmaneuver your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By bringing lesser-cost creatures from your hand into play, Gandalf, Friend of the Shire aids in ramping up your field presence more quickly. It propels you forward, securing a formidable board state to put pressure on your adversary ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The wizard’s magic can unfold at instant speed, offering flexibility in response to the unfolding duel. It enables strategic depth by allowing you to wait until the most opportune moment to cast, keeping your opponents guessing and your options open.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gandalf, Friend of the Shire requires a player to discard another card in order to leverage its effects. This can be problematic when your hand is already stretched thin, potentially setting you back by losing valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast this spell, you need to allocate a considerable portion of your mana to white sources. This specific mana requirement might not always align with your deck’s mana base, making it difficult to summon Gandalf in a timely manner.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Gandalf’s abilities, while impactful, come at a high mana cost. In games where tempo and board presence are crucial, investing such a large amount of mana can be detrimental, especially if faster options are available within the metagame.
Reasons to Include Gandalf, Friend of the Shire in Your Collection
Versatility: Gandalf, Friend of the Shire is a flexible addition to decks requiring a wise guide through the paths of gameplay. Its ability to provide insight while fitting seamlessly into numerous strategies enhances any player’s deck-building arsenal.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with decks themed around fellowship and lore, potentially unlocking powerful interactions with other cards representing characters and artifacts from the Shire and beyond.
Meta-Relevance: With shifting gameplay dynamics, Gandalf’s presence in a game can adapt to the evolving meta. Its capabilities can be vital against decks that rely on subtle tactics and strategic planning, ensuring its place in competitive play.
How to beat Gandalf, Friend of the Shire
Gandalf, Friend of the Shire is a unique planeswalker card in Magic the Gathering that offers a strategic advantage, particularly in decks focused on creature support. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to thwart Gandalf’s abilities which revolve around granting protection and card draw. Creature removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade can be ineffective if Gandalf’s +1 ability has already been used to grant another creature protection from a color.
A more reliable approach would be using board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, which can bypass protection abilities by not targeting individual creatures. Counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak could also prevent Gandalf, Friend of the Shire from ever entering the battlefield. Additionally, consider utilizing discard effects like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek to remove Gandalf from your opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast it.
Rapid aggro decks can also pressure the opponent, forcing them to use Gandalf defensively rather than as a card advantage engine. Overrunning the opponent before Gandalf gains too much value could be the key to securing a victory against decks utilizing this powerful ally of the Shire.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gandalf, Friend of the Shire MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Gandalf, Friend of the Shire 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
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Printings
The Gandalf, Friend of the Shire Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-12-02 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1294 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bakshi Productions | ||
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 401 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Livia Prima | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 308 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Marko Manev | |
| 4 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 501 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dmitry Burmak | |
| 5 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 800 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Marko Manev | |
| 6 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 5 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 7 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dmitry Burmak | |
| 8 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Promos | PLTR | 401 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Livia Prima |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gandalf, Friend of the Shire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gandalf, Friend of the Shire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer. |
| 2023-06-16 | The second ability applies only to casting spells. It does not, for example, change when you may activate abilities that can be activated "only as a sorcery." |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.