Gatekeeper of Malakir MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 89
2013-03-15 - Number 8
2002-06-24 - Number 37853
2020-09-26 - Number ZEN-89
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Warrior |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) When Gatekeeper of Malakir enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, target player sacrifices a creature.
"You may enter the city—once the toll is paid."
Cards like Gatekeeper of Malakir
The Gatekeeper of Malakir stands out in the roster of powerful black creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship with cards like Chittering Rats is evident as both creatures offer a utility beyond mere attack and defense. While Chittering Rats forces a card to be placed on top of the opponent’s library, our Gatekeeper, upon a kicked entrance, instead insists on a sacrifice, clearing any problematic creatures on the board, regardless of their durability or abilities.
Comparisons can also be made with the likes of Ravenous Chupacabra, another black creature adept at removing threats upon entry. However, the Chupacabra outright destroys a target creature. Gatekeeper’s kick requirement and the resulting forced sacrifice can bypass indestructible creatures, which Chupacabra cannot. Nevertheless, Chupacabra acts without the additional mana investment for kicking.
Observing these subtle differences is crucial for deck building and strategy formulation in Magic: The Gathering. The Gatekeeper of Malakir, while featuring a conditional ability, offers a potent mix of board presence and control, making it a competitive choice in decks that can accommodate its kicking cost.
Cards similar to Gatekeeper of Malakir by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gatekeeper of Malakir. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Five-color Aggro | Modern | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 9:00 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gatekeeper of Malakir offers a unique two-for-one deal. When it enters the battlefield with its kicker cost paid, it forces an opponent to sacrifice a creature, thereby giving you an edge in maintaining card superiority on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gatekeeper of Malakir does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to effectively remove an opponent’s creature can disrupt their board presence and slow down their resource development, indirectly benefiting your game pace.
Instant Speed: While not having the instant speed trait itself, this vampire warrior synergizes efficiently with instant speed removal spells. By compelling a sacrifice upon entry, it can clear the way for your instants to target higher-value threats safely during the opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gatekeeper of Malakir demands a valuable card sacrifice from the opponent, but this can backfire if they benefit from graveyard strategies or have expendable creatures on the board.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of this card necessitates two black mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to mono-black or heavily black-focused decks that can consistently provide the necessary colored mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing three mana might seem reasonable, within the aggressive black decks, there are more mana-efficient creatures that could advance your board state sooner or offer additional abilities with a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Gatekeeper of Malakir in Your Collection
Versatility: Gatekeeper of Malakir is a multifaceted card, seamlessly fitting into various black-centric decks, particularly those aiming to control the board. Its dual role as a creature and a force for opponent sacrifice makes it a powerful inclusion in any collection.
Combo Potential: This vampire warrior has strong synergy with decks that capitalize on death triggers or benefit from forcing opponents to make difficult decisions about which creatures to keep. Its kicker cost can interact beneficially with effects that trigger when spells are kicked, enhancing its combination possibilities.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature-based strategies dominate, having an efficient removal option like Gatekeeper of Malakir can be a game-changer. It can disrupt opponents’ battlefields and swing the game in your favor, highlighting its ongoing relevance in diverse play environments.
How to beat
Gatekeeper of Malakir is a formidable force in the realm of black creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This vampire warrior comes with a kicker cost that, once paid, forces an opponent to sacrifice a creature. The key to overcoming the Gatekeeper lies in anticipating its arrival on the battlefield. Smart play involves keeping low-value creatures available to sacrifice or using spells that can counter creature spells to prevent the Gatekeeper from ever entering play.
Focusing on creature protection or granting indestructible status can also safeguard your significant threats against its ability. Moreover, take advantage of the fact that the Gatekeeper’s ability is not optional, making it a double-edged sword if played without other creatures on your opponent’s side. Always be on the lookout for an opportune moment when your adversary is creature-light to turn the tables with removal spells right as the Gatekeeper comes down.
Ultimately, while the Gatekeeper of Malakir can be a daunting challenge, maintaining versatile defenses and a thoughtful strategy can neutralize its impact and keep your board position secure against this vampiric menace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gatekeeper of Malakir MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar, 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 Gatekeeper of Malakir 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Gatekeeper of Malakir Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2013-03-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 37853 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | ||
| 2 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 89 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 8 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | ZEN-89 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gatekeeper of Malakir has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |