Gangrenous Zombies MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 127
2006-07-21 - Number 127
2008-09-22 - Number 92
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
oc T: Sacrifice Gangrenous Zombies to have it deal 1 damage to each creature and player. If you control any snow-covered swamps, Gangrenous Zombies instead deals 2 damage to each creature and player.
Cards like Gangrenous Zombies
Gangrenous Zombies stands out in the world of creature cards with its unique combination of abilities in MTG. In particular, it shares the realm of creature control with cards like Festering Goblin. Both cards have the ability to affect the board upon death. Festering Goblin allows you to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn when it dies, while Gangrenous Zombies has a snow land activation cost to inflict 1 damage to each creature and each player when it dies.
Merchants of the Vale hark back to the snow-covered Zombie’s mechanism, with a touch of versatility in the form of Adventure, granting a draw and discard option. The Zombies, however, are focused on direct board impact rather than hand manipulation. Additionally, Skirk Ridge Exhumer also allows for the creation of expendable creatures, but these Zombie tokens bring with them the prospect of card draw, unlike the direct damage potential of Gangrenous Zombies.
Comparing these cards, Gangrenous Zombies presents a distinctive advantage of being able to alter the state of the entire board, a feature that places it in a strategic position against numerous other creature cards in MTG. Its ability to potentially clear the board makes it a card worth considering for players looking to maintain control.
Cards similar to Gangrenous Zombies by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gangrenous Zombies can serve as a tool to obtain card advantage by potentially clearing multiple enemy creatures with its activated ability. This can leave you with a numerically superior board state.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gangrenous Zombies does not directly accelerate your resources, it can pave the way for attacks by removing blockers, essentially accelerating potential damage and influencing the pace of the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Gangrenous Zombies’ power at instant speed offers the strategic advantage of timing your plays to disrupt your opponent’s plans during their turn or at the end of their turn, thus keeping the element of surprise on your side.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gangrenous Zombies command a presence on the battlefield that comes with a steep price. To activate its potential, a sacrifice of another card is necessary — a strategic disadvantage that can deplete your hand and hamper your game plan, especially if the match stretches into the later stages with drawn-out exchanges.
Specific Mana Cost: These shambling horrors are not only ravenous for flesh but also for a very particular kind of resource. Locked behind a wall of swamps, their summoning requires a commitment to black mana that can’t be ignored. This particularity narrows their allegiance to decks deeply rooted in the ways of the dark, potentially excluding them from more versatile mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding price for what they bring to the fray, these Zombies ask for more than just a simple sprinkle of mana. Their cost eclipses that of other creatures who might offer greater power or more immediate impact without such a weighty investment, potentially relegating the Gangrenous Zombies to the sidelines in contests of efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gangrenous Zombies serves as a flexible component in decks designed around sacrificing creatures for value or using zombie-centric themes. Its snow land activation allows for strategic plays in matches where board control is crucial.
Combo Potential: For fans of intricate gameplay, this card’s ability to wipe out swarms of creatures can synergistically pair with effects that trigger upon death or when large numbers of creatures die in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where token strategies or decks that flood the board with creatures are prevalent, Gangrenous Zombies can act as a silver bullet, turning the tide with its potent area-of-effect ability.
How to beat
Gangrenous Zombies, found lurking in the cooler climate sets of Magic: The Gathering, present an icy challenge on the battleground with their cold-hearted abilities. These creatures are not just mere attackers but strategists that come into play under specific conditions. To overcome them, you need to keep your board clear of swathes of creatures that could potentially be wiped out by its chilling effect upon being targeted for damage.
As they thrive in decks with snow lands, hindering their mana base can cripple their onslaught. Land disruption or strategies that force the opponent to play around your actions can nullify the strength of Gangrenous Zombies. Recognize that these creatures can turn into sacrificial pawns; removing them can cause a ripple effect. Employ instant-speed removal or damage prevention effects after the opponent has committed to a mass sacrifice, rendering their plan ineffective. Always stay on the lookout for these creeping threats and manage the board state to ensure they don’t find fertile ground to execute their frozen miseries.
Ultimately, it’s about controlling the pace and outmaneuvering your opponent’s snow-covered advances. Being proactive and employing a bit of clever board manipulation can ensure that the Gangrenous Zombies are left out in the cold.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gangrenous Zombies MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Coldsnap Theme Decks, 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 Gangrenous Zombies 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Gangrenous Zombies Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 127 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 92 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gangrenous Zombies has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gangrenous Zombies card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Whether it does 1 or 2 damage is checked on resolution. |