Gates of Istfell MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 256
2021-02-05 - Number 69
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Gates of Istfell enters the battlefield tapped. : Add . , , Sacrifice Gates of Istfell: You gain 2 life and draw two cards.
Cards like Gates of Istfell
Gates of Istfell stands out among the suite of land cards available in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal. Much like its kin, the Azorius Guildgate, it shares the basic function of providing mana of two different colors. However, Gates of Istfell offers a unique advantage with its mana sink ability, allowing players to draw cards and gain life at the expense of tapping and sacrificing it, which is an option not available on the Guildgate.
Examining another analogous choice, Tranquil Cove, this land also enters the battlefield tapped and can gain you life, but it lacks the additional utility that Gates of Istfell can bring to the late game. Plots within a deck that value longevity and card advantage will find Gates of Istfell to be of higher strategic importance. Despite this, Tranguil Cove can be immediately effective upon entry without further investment, signalling its use in a different, perhaps more aggressive, deck archetype.
Considering the trade-offs across similar multicolor lands, Gates of Istfell pitches its tent in the camp of those preferring sustained advantage and strategic depth over immediacy, an attribute devout players surely appreciate when sculpting their MTG strategies for victory.
Cards similar to Gates of Istfell by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gates of Istfell. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Lotus Field | Pioneer | Azorius Lotus Field | Pioneer League 2023-12-02 |
 | Azorius Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gates of Istfell ensures you stay ahead in the game by granting you the ability to draw additional cards. This benefit is vital in maintaining a full hand and adds strategic depth to your gameplay. With it, you are better equipped to outmaneuver your opponent, as having more options to choose from can give you a considerable edge.
Resource Acceleration: The land aspect of Gates of Istfell contributes greatly to your resource pool. It enters the battlefield untapped if you control two or more other lands, which means you don’t miss a beat in your mana curve. This acceleration is a key factor in efficiently deploying your threats and answers in a timely manner, potentially giving you a speed advantage over the opposition.
Instant Speed: The activated ability of Gates of Istfell can be utilized at instant speed, providing flexibility in your plays. You can respond to your opponents’ actions or end of their turn by drawing cards, ensuring your resources are replenished and keeping your strategies adaptive. This adaptability can create a tactical advantage, as your opponent must always consider the potential for you to alter the state of play at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To activate Gates of Istfell’s ability, you must discard a card, which can be a strategic setback when your hand is already depleted or you’re forced to part with a valuable piece of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Gates of Istfell requires both blue and white mana to function, which can potentially restrict its integration in a mana base that doesn’t consistently produce these colors, possibly straining multicolor decks or limiting its inclusion to only Azorius or similar strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the card provides a benefit of drawing cards and gaining life, the activation cost is relatively hefty. Other options in the game might yield similar benefits at a lower cost, which could be advantageous for fast-paced play or decks with tighter mana curves.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gates of Istfell stands out due to its flexibility across multiple deck archetypes. This land card not only taps for blue or white mana but also offers card draw—a valued commodity for any deck aiming for consistency and resilience.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic environments where abilities depend on the number of Gates you control. It can be a key piece in gate-focused decks, offering both mana fixing and an additional advantage through its activated ability.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where longevity and card advantage are crucial, Gates of Istfell offers a sustainable edge. Its relevance grows in metas that favor slower, more control-oriented playstyles, where grinding out advantages is the path to victory.
How to Beat
Gates of Istfell stands as a remarkable land in the frosty landscapes of Magic: The Gathering, not only accelerating your mana but providing card advantage as well. This card becomes a hub for strategic gameplay, turning simple land drops into engines of card filtering and defenses. However, like every card, it has vulnerabilities that savvy players can exploit.
Understanding the pace and rhythm of the game is essential when facing Gates of Istfell. Force the Gates owner to activate it prematurely or when they’re not optimally set up to make the most of the ability. Utilize land destruction effects to directly target and remove Gates of Istfell from the battlefield, disrupting your opponent’s plans and leaving them a step behind. Cards such as Ghost Quarter and Field of Ruin can prove invaluable, turning an opponent’s strategic asset into a liability. Control the board and maintain pressure, and the advantages that Gates of Istfell provides can be mitigated, granting you the edge you need to outmaneuver and overcome your opponent’s strategies.
Bearing these tactics in mind, Gates of Istfell can be hurdled, leading you to control the game flow and eventually clinch victory in the world’s most complex and exhilarating card game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gates of Istfell MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim and Kaldheim Art Series, 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 Gates of Istfell 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
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Printings
The Gates of Istfell Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Anastasia Ovchinnikova.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 256 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anastasia Ovchinnikova | |
| 2 | Kaldheim Art Series | AKHM | 69 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Anastasia Ovchinnikova |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gates of Istfell has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |