Gandalf of the Secret Fire MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 507
2023-06-23 - Number 551
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Avatar Wizard |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Gandalf provides card advantage, crucial for maintaining resource superiority during a match.
- Instant speed abilities offer flexible strategies and counterplays, enhancing adaptability.
- Navigating Gandalf’s specific and high mana costs is essential for deck synergy.
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand during an opponent's turn, exile that card with three time counters on it instead of putting it into your graveyard as it resolves. Then if the exiled card doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. (At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter from that card. When the last is removed, play it without paying its mana cost.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gandalf of the Secret Fire offers a significant edge by allowing you to potentially draw multiple cards. This could tilt the game in your favor by giving you more options and responses to your opponent’s moves, ensuring that you’re not falling behind in resource competition.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful ally can alter the pace of the game by providing additional resources. Whether it’s ramping up your mana pool to deploy threats earlier or providing the much-needed resources for a pivotal spell, resource acceleration is always a welcome advantage in any match.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed is what separates the good players from the great ones. Gandalf of the Secret Fire can alter the battlefield dynamics without the constraints of your own turn, providing flexibility to respond to threats or create opportunities as the game unfolds, keeping opponents guessing and strategies adaptable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gandalf of the Secret Fire demands that you let go of another card from your hand to ignite its powers. In the heat of a match, especially when the hand size is dwindling, this requirement can backfire, leaving you with fewer options for your next move.
Specific Mana Cost: Wielding Gandalf’s might means tapping into a very specific reservoir of magical energy. The spell’s casting cost is not just steep but also requires a meticulous blend of mana types. This can be a challenge if your deck isn’t built to consistently produce the needed colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning Gandalf comes with a substantial mana investment. In a game where tempo can decide the victor, deploying Gandalf requires a strategy that can handle or mitigate the impact of such a cost, especially when other cards could potentially provide similar benefits for less.
Reasons to Include Gandalf of the Secret Fire in Your Collection
Versatility: Gandalf of the Secret Fire offers a wide range of abilities that cater to different play styles and scenarios. Its flexibility allows it to be a staple in diverse deck archetypes, from control to combo decks.
Combo Potential: This card can easily become the linchpin in a powerful combo, working seamlessly with cards that benefit from casting spells, or others that capitalize on wizard synergy.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capabilities, Gandalf of the Secret Fire can adapt to and potentially thrive in various meta environments, tackling aggressive, control, and combo-based decks effectively.
How to beat
Gandalf of the Secret Fire is a powerful presence on the board in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. To overcome this formidable adversary, strategy is key. Since Gandalf can be a game-changing card with his ability to manipulate spells and creatures, players must focus on timing and resource management. One effective tactic is to employ instant-speed removals or counterspells that can disrupt Gandalf before his abilities trigger.
Another approach is to take advantage of the turns before Gandalf is cast. This includes developing a board presence that can apply pressure or using hand disruption to ensure Gandalf never comfortably finds his way to the battlefield. Cards with abilities that hinder planeswalker activities, such as The Immortal Sun, are also a notable consideration when building a deck with Gandalf in mind. Having a diverse array of answers is crucial, as relying solely on creature-based strategies might not suffice against the magic wielded by Gandalf of the Secret Fire.
Beating Gandalf requires a mix of foresight and flexibility, leveraging spells and abilities that can outpace or negate the impact he has in play. Players who adeptly manage their tools to counter Gandalf’s influence can secure the upper hand in the duel.
Cards like Gandalf of the Secret Fire
Gandalf of the Secret Fire enters the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a dynamically versatile card. Its most direct parallel could be drawn with the iconic Planeswalker Jace, the Mind Sculptor. Much like Gandalf, Jace offers various abilities that benefit deck manipulation and control. However, Gandalf’s unique trait lies in his ability to provide protection against spells by conferring invulnerability to a chosen ally – a tactical advantage not found in Jace’s arsenal.
Other cards that resonate with Gandalf’s utility are more creature-focused, such as Mother of Runes. This card similarly gives protection to other creatures, though it does so at a smaller scale, shielding a single creature at a time and lacking the broader impact of Gandalf’s abilities. Moreover, Gandalf’s capacity to act as a steadfast blocker makes him akin to Fog Bank, though he surpasses it with additional utility and offensive capabilities.
In sum, while there are cards with abilities that echo those of Gandalf of the Secret Fire, his combination of protection, versatility, and control positions him as a particularly potent force on the battlefield, making him an exceptional addition to decks seeking a unique strategic edge.
Cards similar to Gandalf of the Secret Fire by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gandalf of the Secret Fire MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 of the Secret Fire and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Gandalf of the Secret Fire Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 507 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 551 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gandalf of the Secret Fire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |