Gyre Sage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elf Druid
Abilities Evolve
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Gyre Sage offers card and resource acceleration, key for casting powerful spells early.
  2. Demanding proper deck composition, Gyre Sage’s evolving nature can both advance and limit strategies.
  3. Despite constraints, its versatility and combo potential make it a valuable asset in green-centric decks.

Text of card

Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.) : Add to your mana pool for each +1/+1 counter on Gyre Sage.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gyre Sage provides potential card advantage through its ability to evolve, progressively increasing its power and thus allowing you to access more mana with each +1/+1 counter. This can translate into more spells cast or larger threats played earlier than usual.

Resource Acceleration: As Gyre Sage evolves, it taps for an increasing amount of mana. This resource acceleration is crucial for outpacing opponents, especially in decks that can consistently grow the Sage’s power, offering a significant boost to your mana curve.

Instant Speed: While Gyre Sage isn’t an instant itself, the mana it generates can be crucial for casting spells at instant speed. Having a well-evolved Sage on the battlefield allows you to be more flexible with your mana, giving you the option to respond swiftly to threats or opportunities during the course of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Gyre Sage does not directly require you to discard cards, its potential is fully realized only when evolving, which implies having other creatures with greater power. This inherently demands a certain deck composition that can inadvertently lead to card disadvantage if not managed properly.

Specific Mana Cost: Gyre Sage’s initial green mana cost means it’s predominantly suited for green-centric decks or at least those with a green mana base. Consequently, its use is naturally restricted, potentially limiting deck-building options for those not running green.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Gyre Sage itself has a low initial casting cost, to effectively utilize its abilities, particularly the mana ramp, it necessitates a board state including creatures with increasing power. Establishing such a state usually requires playing other cards with their own mana demands, which culminates in a higher effective mana cost for maximized use of Gyre Sage’s potential.


Reasons to Include Gyre Sage in Your Collection

Versatility: Gyre Sage stands out for its adaptability across multiple deck archetypes. As a creature that becomes more potent with +1/+1 counters, it can seamlessly fit into counter-focused or proliferate strategies, offering both mana ramp and board presence.

Combo Potential: With its ability to generate significant amounts of green mana, Gyre Sage pairs well with high-cost creatures or spells, enabling explosive turns. Its Evolve mechanic allows it to grow alongside other creatures, serving as a linchpin for combos that require substantial mana investment in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where ramping into large threats quickly is key to outpacing opponents, Gyre Sage’s mana acceleration is highly relevant. Its presence in a deck ensures a more consistent execution of your game plan against a variety of meta strategies, particularly in matchups that can benefit from the early acceleration it provides.


How to beat

Gyre Sage is an intriguing creature that has the potential to generate massive amounts of mana in Magic: The Gathering. Its evolve mechanic allows it to accumulate +1/+1 counters as larger creatures enter the battlefield under your control. This growth in power translates into an increasing mana pool, providing a ramp that can be challenging to overcome.

Beating a Gyre Sage requires a strategy focused on controlling the board. Efficient removal spells are key, eliminating not just Gyre Sage but also any larger creatures that would trigger its evolve ability. Utilizing spells that can handle multiple creatures at once or that prevent creatures from entering the battlefield can disrupt your opponent’s plans and contain Gyre Sage’s explosive potential. In essence, early disruption paired with constant board control can stifle Gyre Sage’s influence and keep the tide of the game in your favor.

Furthermore, using cards that prevent counters from being placed on creatures can directly negate Gyre Sage’s ability to evolve. This preemptive approach ensures that even if your opponent’s creatures outsize yours, Gyre Sage remains a non-threat without its ever-growing mana capability, solidifying your command over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unleashing the power of Gyre Sage in MTG requires a blend of strategic play and smart deck building. As it evolves, this mana-generating dynamo can shift the balance of the game, enabling you to cast impactful spells and summon formidable creatures ahead of schedule. Perfect for countering various strategies or serving as the cornerstone for your own, Gyre Sage is a card that warrants serious consideration for your collection. To truly harness its potential, a deeper understanding and the right synergies are key. Ready for a deeper dive into maximizing Gyre Sage’s capabilities? Delve further with us and fortify your deck’s might.


Cards like Gyre Sage

Gyre Sage is a unique mana dork in the Magic: The Gathering universe, often compared with other creatures that ramp up your mana. Elves of Deep Shadow, for one, provides a similar function, with the ability to tap for mana. However, unlike Gyre Sage which can tap for potentially large amounts of green mana thanks to its Evolve ability, Elves of Deep Shadow only ever taps for a single black mana and comes with the disadvantage of dealing damage to you.

Another card in consideration is Viridian Joiner. Like Gyre Sage, it has the potential to generate a significant amount of mana as it taps for an amount equal to its power. However, it lacks the self-scaling nature of Gyre Sage which can grow as more creatures enter the battlefield. Llanowar Elves also come to mind, being one of the most iconic mana creatures. They are limited to producing one green mana but are a staple due to their reliability and low cost.

In essence, while there are numerous creatures capable of accelerating your mana in the game, Gyre Sage occupies a valuable niche. Its capacity to scale its mana production in tandem with the growth of your board sets it apart from peers, establishing it as a formidable presence in decks capable of consistently playing creatures with increasing power.

Elves of Deep Shadow - MTG Card versions
Viridian Joiner - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Elves of Deep Shadow - MTG Card versions
Viridian Joiner - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gyre Sage MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Gyre Sage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gyre Sage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1232003NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 1122015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
32021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1402015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3002015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gyre Sage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gyre Sage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-01-24 Gyre Sage's last ability is a mana ability. It doesn't use the stack and can't be responded to.
2013-04-15 If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
2013-04-15 If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
2013-04-15 If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it's possible that the stat that's greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, it toughness is greater so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats of the two creatures for evolve, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
2013-04-15 Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won't trigger at all.

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