Gandalf the White MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 442
2023-06-23 - Number 299
2023-06-23 - Number 305
2023-06-23 - Number 797
2023-06-23 - Number 732
2023-06-23 - Number 19
2023-06-23 - Number 19s
2023-06-23 - Number 470
2023-06-23 - Number 732z
2023-06-23 - Number 3
Key Takeaways
- Gandalf the White could potentially provide card advantage and accelerate your resource pool in-game.
- Demands strategic hand management and has a mana cost that may limit deck compatibility.
- His vast array of abilities could make him a competitive staple in various MTG decks.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gandalf the White MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth 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 the White 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
Text of card
Flash You may cast legendary spells and artifact spells as though they had flash. If a legendary permanent or an artifact entering or leaving the battlefield causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gandalf the White enables you to potentially draw additional cards, keeping your hand full and giving you more options each turn.
Resource Acceleration: This card might offer mana generation or cost reduction, aligning with Gandalf’s thematic abilities to manipulate resources, making it easier to cast high-impact spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: If included, the ability to play Gandalf the White at instant speed would offer great versatility, allowing you to react to an opponent’s moves and optimize your strategy during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gandalf the White requires parting ways with another card in hand, which might press players into tough strategic decisions, especially when holding onto key pieces of their game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: With a rigorous color dedication in its mana cost, this card demands a commitment that could reduce its flexibility across different deck archetypes, possibly confining it to mono-color or two-color decks with a white focus.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the value of Gandalf the White’s abilities against its mana investment, players may find the initial cost steep, especially in fast-paced games where economizing mana is critical for maintaining tempo and board presence.
Reasons to Include Gandalf the White in Your Collection
Versatility: Gandalf the White is a multifaceted card, suitable for decks that appreciate a balance between strong defensive tactics and potent offensive plays, making him a solid choice for a variety of deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card can also unlock synergies with other cards that favor wizard or spellcasting strategies, thereby enabling intricate combos that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given his ability to influence the board state significantly, Gandalf the White is a sensible addition for players looking to stay competitive and adaptable in an environment where strategies and popular decks are continuously evolving.
How to beat
Gandalf the White is a formidable presence in many MTG matchups, often bringing a blend of card advantage and board control to the table. While his exact abilities vary as Wizards of the Coast has not released an official Gandalf the White card, players can expect a character of his iconic status to carry potent effects typical of white magic such as life gain, damage prevention, and potent enchantments. To best this mighty wizard, one must craft a strategy that can handle strong control elements.
Effective tactics may include ramping up the speed of your deck to outpace the setup of Gandalf’s abilities, implementing counter spells to negate impactful spells, or utilizing direct removal cards that can bypass his protections. Cards with the Indestructible ability can also be crucial in surviving the powerful, board-wiping spells that might be in Gandalf’s arsenal. It’s essential to maintain pressure and not allow the Gandalf player to establish dominance on the battlefield. Additionally, since Gandalf’s magic would likely draw from a vast well of mana, disrupting the mana base with land destruction or taxing spells could be key in stifling his commanding presence.
Ultimately, overcoming a card like Gandalf the White demands a well-prepared deck, sharp gameplay, and a deep understanding of your own strategic options in the realm of MTG.
BurnMana Recommendations
For dedicated MTG players, a card like Gandalf the White is more than just another addition; it’s a strategic powerhouse designed to shift the tides of battle. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of drawing additional cards, accelerating your resources, or enjoying instant speed capabilities, this iconic character may enhance your gameplay significantly. Balancing card advantages with necessary sacrifices, Gandalf demands skillful play. Whether it’s to fortify your current deck’s theme or to experiment with new strategies in an evolving metagame, adding Gandalf the White to your collection could be your next victorious move. Learn more with us and harness the full potential of your MTG experience.
Cards like Gandalf the White
In the realm of MTG, Gandalf the White stands as a unique figure. His impressive abilities set him apart, denoting his sage-like presence on the battlefield. Delving into cards with similar vibes, we’re reminded of Elspeth, Knight-Errant. Both wield white magic, focusing on protection and empowerment of other creatures. Gandalf’s prowess, however, lies in his enchantment-like effects, unlike Elspeth’s direct creature boosting.
Examining Ajani Goldmane, there are intriguing parallels. Ajani also accentuates the bolstering of creatures and life gain, attributes found within Gandalf’s domain. Yet, Gandalf the White adds a layer of control over the game’s flow, something Ajani approaches differently. A more woven comparison might be made with Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, whose versatility in controlling the board resonates with Gandalf’s strategic utility.
While each of these iconic characters presents a blend of might and magic, Gandalf the White distinguishes himself with a particular set of spells that support his allies subtly but significantly. In a battlefield where allies rely on cohesion and fortitude, Gandalf’s white magic shines, emblematic of MTG’s rich tapestry of legendary characters.
Cards similar to Gandalf the White by color, type and mana cost
Printings
The Gandalf the White Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 442 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 299 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Leonardo Borazio | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 305 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Dominik Mayer | |
| 4 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 797 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Dominik Mayer | |
| 5 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 732 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Micha Huigen | |
| 6 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 7 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Promos | PLTR | 19s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 8 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 470 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 9 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 3 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 10 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 732z | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Micha Huigen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gandalf the White has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gandalf the White 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 | Abilities that apply "as -his permanent] enters the battlefield," such as choosing a color with Gauntlet of Power, are also unaffected. |
| 2023-06-16 | An ability of a permanent that triggers when a card is put into a graveyard "from anywhere" triggers twice only if Gandalf the White and that permanent are both still on the battlefield immediately after the legendary permanent or the artifact has been put into the graveyard from the battlefield. For example, say you control both Gandalf the White and Sefris of the Hidden Ways. If another legendary creature you control dies, Sefris's first ability will trigger twice. But if Gandalf the White dies, Sefris's first ability will trigger only once. |
| 2023-06-16 | Gandalf the White affects a permanent's own enters-the-battlefield and leaves-the-battlefield triggered abilities as well as other triggered abilities that trigger when that permanent enters or leaves the battlefield. Such triggered abilities start with "when" or "whenever." |
| 2023-06-16 | Gandalf the White's effect doesn't copy the triggered ability; it just causes the ability to trigger twice. Any choices made as you put the ability onto the stack, such as modes and targets, are made separately for each instance of the ability. Any choices made on resolution, such as whether to put counters on a permanent, are also made individually. |
| 2023-06-16 | If a legendary permanent or an artifact entering or leaving the battlefield at the same time as Gandalf the White (including Gandalf the White itself) causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time. |
| 2023-06-16 | If you somehow control two copies of Gandalf the White, a legendary permanent or an artifact entering or leaving the battlefield causes abilities to trigger three times, not four. A third Gandalf the White causes abilities to trigger four times, a fourth causes abilities to trigger five times, and so on. |
| 2023-06-16 | Look at each legendary permanent and each artifact as it exists on the battlefield, taking into account continuous effects, to determine whether any triggered abilities will trigger multiple times. For example, if a nonlegendary creature that has become legendary (probably because it's a player's Ring-bearer) dies, an ability that triggers when it leaves the battlefield triggers twice. |
| 2023-06-16 | Replacement effects are unaffected by Gandalf the White's ability. For example, a legendary creature that enters the battlefield with one +1/+1 counter on it won't receive an additional +1/+1 counter. |
| 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." |
| 2023-06-16 | The trigger event doesn't have to specifically refer to legendary permanents or to artifacts, nor does it have to specifically refer to when something "leaves the battlefield." For example, an ability that triggers "whenever a creature dies" would trigger twice if a legendary creature or an artifact creature dies while Gandalf the White is on the battlefield, as would an ability that triggers "whenever a permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield." |
| 2023-06-16 | You don't need to control the permanent entering or leaving the battlefield, only the permanent that has the triggered ability. |
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.