Gandalf, Westward Voyager MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 6
2023-06-23 - Number 463
2023-06-23 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Avatar Wizard |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Whenever you cast a spell with mana value 5 or greater, each opponent reveals the top card of their library. If any of those cards shares a card type with that spell, copy that spell, you may choose new targets for the copy, and each opponent draws a card. Otherwise, you draw a card. (A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.)
Cards like Gandalf, Westward Voyager
Examining Gandalf Westward Voyager within the realm of Magic: The Gathering reveals its conceptual siblings that share similar traits. Like Gandalf, Gideon, Ally of Zendikar also stands as a versatile planeswalker who impacts the board by creating creature tokens. However, Gandalf’s unique ability to generate card advantage through its card draw mechanism is not mirrored by Gideon. Instead, Gideon focuses on bolstering your forces with +1/+1 counters and an emblem that cements his influence even after he leaves the battlefield.
Elspeth, Sun’s Champion is another comparable card, featuring a strong ability to generate multiple creature tokens, which Gandalf can do only upon successfully casting spells. While Elspeth does offer a sweep effect for large creatures, Gandalf’s exploration into drawing and potentially playing additional land cards gives a slightly different edge concerning ramping up your game position.
Assessing Gandalf Westward Voyager in the context of similar MTG cards, it’s clear that its capacity to create creatures and provide card advantage situates it as an alluring choice for deckbuilders aiming at dynamic gameplay and strategic depth.
Cards similar to Gandalf, Westward Voyager by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gandalf Westward Voyager ensures you’re consistently advancing your board state while replenishing your hand. By drawing you into more options each turn, Gandalf helps outpace opponents by sheer volume of resources.
Resource Acceleration: This renowned wanderer of the realms isn’t just about the journey; he accelerates your mana pool as well. His ability to untap two lands provides an immediate boost in resources, letting you cast additional spells or establish a solid defense in record time.
Instant Speed: Whether you’re countering an unexpected threat or seizing the perfect moment to fortify your position, Gandalf’s abilities can be activated at instant speed. This flexibility allows strategic players to wait for the opportune moment, maintain an air of unpredictability, and maximize the potential of each turn.
Card Cons
Looking closely at Gandalf Westward Voyager, players analyzing its strategic viability must factor in specific drawbacks that can impact gameplay decisions. Plotting the card’s best use requires an understanding of its inherent limitations.
Discard Requirement: This card obliges players to discard, which can be a critical downside, especially in the late game. Discard mechanics can deplete key hand resources, potentially disrupting strategic plays and card synergies vital for a win.
Specific Mana Cost: Gandalf Westward Voyager comes with a demanding color-based mana cost, necessitating a dedicated build around certain deck types. This specificity restricts its usability and could complicate deck flexibility across the varied MTG metagame.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost sets expectations for performance, and when held up against alternatives available within the same range, Gandalf may be found lacking. Other cards in MTG could present a stronger case with more impactful results for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gandalf Westward Voyager adapts to various playstyles, fitting into multiple deck archetypes. With the ability to influence both the board state and card advantage, Gandalf is a card that primes itself for diverse strategic implementations.
Combo Potential: Gandalf’s unique abilities can seamlessly integrate into intricate combos, enhancing decks centered around spell casting or creature synergies. Having Gandalf on the field increases the utility and impact of your subsequent plays.
Meta-Relevance: Considering shifting metas, a card like Gandalf Westward Voyager retains its value by being able to counter a breadth of popular strategies. Its presence in your deck ensures you have a dynamic response to the ever-evolving competitive landscape.
How to beat
Gandalf Westward Voyager introduces a sense of adventure and strategy in Magic: The Gathering. Unique in its abilities to explore and draw cards, Gandalf Westward Voyager is a challenge worth preparing for. To successfully navigate this encounter, understanding its strengths and finding its weaknesses is crucial. When facing this card, prioritize removing it quickly from the battlefield, as it gains value each time it attacks and finds lands or spells.
Consider direct removal spells or effects that can target Gandalf before it’s able to enhance your opponent’s hand and battlefield presence. Cards with exile abilities are particularly impactful, ensuring that Gandalf won’t return to guide your opponent’s journey. Additionally, cards that restrict attacking or tap creatures will diminish its ability to trigger its valuable land-seeking ability.
Ultimately, your goal against Gandalf Westward Voyager should be to stop the momentum it creates. Plan ahead and tailor your deck with answers that can preemptively deal with such powerful planeswalkers. You’ll be able to maintain control and prevent your opponent from capitalizing on Gandalf’s exploratory advantages, turning the tide of the game in your favor.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the nuanced abilities of Gandalf Westward Voyager is key to harnessing its full potential within your MTG collection. As you digest the benefits of card advantage and mana acceleration, alongside the strategical deployment at instant speed, consider how Gandalf can steer your deck to victory. Be mindful of its drawbacks but also explore its vast combo potential and relevance in ever-shifting metas. Looking to outpace your opponents and adapt to a variety of gameplay scenarios? Embrace the journey with Gandalf and refine your strategy. Visit us to deepen your knowledge and integrate this card into your winning repertoire.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gandalf, Westward Voyager 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, Westward Voyager and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Gandalf, Westward Voyager Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 6 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 463 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gandalf, Westward Voyager has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gandalf, Westward Voyager 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 | Any choices made when the spell resolves won't have been made yet when it's copied. Any such choices will be made separately when the copy resolves. |
| 2023-06-16 | Except in some very rare cases, the card each opponent draws will be the card revealed from the top of their library. |
| 2023-06-16 | If a permanent spell is copied, it's put onto the battlefield as a token as the spell resolves rather than putting the copy of the spell onto the battlefield. The rules that apply to a permanent spell becoming a permanent apply to a copy of a spell becoming a token. |
| 2023-06-16 | If the spell has damage divided as it was put onto the stack, the division can't be changed, although the targets receiving that damage still can. The same is true of spells that distribute counters to targets. |
| 2023-06-16 | If the spell that's copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy has the same value of X. |
| 2023-06-16 | If the spell that's copied is modal (that is, it says "Choose one —" or the like), the copy will have the same mode or modes. You can't choose different ones. |
| 2023-06-16 | The copy is created on the stack, so it's not "cast." Creating the copy won't cause abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell to trigger. |
| 2023-06-16 | The copy will have the same targets as the spell or ability it's copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If the spell is a permanent spell with targets, such as an Aura, you may also choose a new target for that spell. The new targets must be legal. If, for any target, you can't choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal). |
| 2023-06-16 | The token that a resolving copy of a spell becomes isn't said to have been "created" and won't interact with abilities that care about tokens being created, such as that of Rosie Cotton of South Lane. |
| 2023-06-16 | The triggered ability and the copy it creates will resolve before the spell that caused the ability to trigger. |
| 2023-06-16 | While a spell with in its mana cost is on the stack, use the value of X that was chosen when it was cast to determine its mana value. |
| 2023-06-16 | You can't choose to pay any additional costs for a copied spell. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. |
| 2023-06-16 | You copy the spell you cast, not any of the revealed cards. |
| 2023-06-16 | You create only one copy, no matter how many revealed cards share a card type with the spell you cast or how many card types those cards share with the spell you cast. |