Gatewatch Beacon MTG Card


Boosts card selection and strategy acceleration through its unique Planeswalker-fetching ability. Demanding specific mana types, it challenges deck builders to balance mana resources effectively. Encourages strategic gameplay to leverage its late-game potential despite its high casting cost.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

Gatewatch Beacon enters the battlefield with three loyalty counters on it. : Add . Whenever a planeswalker enters the battlefield under your control, if Gatewatch Beacon has loyalty counters on it, you may move a loyalty counter from Gatewatch Beacon onto that planeswalker.


Cards like Gatewatch Beacon

Gatewatch Beacon is an alluring artifact in MTG, offering a unique mix of utility and complexity. It bears a resemblance to certain cards, such as Aether Vial, which also facilitates the deployment of creatures without paying their mana cost. However, Gatewatch Beacon distinguishes itself by its inherent allegiance to planeswalker cards, requiring a more strategic deck building approach.

Another card with a similar flavor is The Chain Veil, which provides additional activations for planeswalker abilities. While The Chain Veil can escalate the potency of your planeswalkers’ abilities rapidly, Gatewatch Beacon helps to get those key pieces onto the battlefield. Also worth considering is Oath of Nissa, granting permission to dig through the top of your library for a planeswalker (among other types), aligning with Gatewatch Beacon’s planeswalker-focused design.

Evaluating such options, it becomes clear that Gatewatch Beacon holds a special position for its ability to streamline the summoning of planeswalkers. Tailored decks that harness this card’s potential will likely experience a significant strategic advantage.

Aether Vial - MTG Card versions
The Chain Veil - MTG Card versions
Oath of Nissa - MTG Card versions
Aether Vial - MTG Card versions
The Chain Veil - MTG Card versions
Oath of Nissa - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gatewatch Beacon by color, type and mana cost

Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
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Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
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Archaeomancer's Map - MTG Card versions
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Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
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Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
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Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
Urza's Sylex - MTG Card versions
Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
Cloudsteel Kirin - MTG Card versions
The Book of Exalted Deeds - MTG Card versions
Halo Fountain - MTG Card versions
Maul of the Skyclaves - MTG Card versions
Archaeomancer's Map - MTG Card versions
Pearl Shard - MTG Card versions
Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
Thunder Totem - MTG Card versions
Marble Chalice - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
Auriok Replica - MTG Card versions
Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gatewatch Beacon offers an excellent opportunity to dig deeper into your deck, effectively gathering the allies you need when it counts.

Resource Acceleration: By granting access to additional mana, this card enables a swifter deployment of your strategies, keeping you one step ahead of the opposition.

Instant Speed: Its instant nature means you can adapt to the battlefield on the fly, making it a versatile and tactical asset during critical moments of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Gatewatch Beacon demands players to discard a card to activate its ability. This can lead to a strategic disadvantage, especially during the late game when hand resources are critical for maintaining board control and responding to opponent’s threats effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of mana types to cast. It necessitates not only a generic mana investment but also a dedicated white mana. This can make it challenging to include in multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost sitting at a notable four mana, the Gatewatch Beacon might appear costly when compared to other options in the same mana range. Players must weigh the benefits of its loyalty ability acceleration against other impactful four-mana spells that could immediately affect the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gatewatch Beacon offers flexibility in how it can be utilized in various deck archetypes. As a land that taps for colorless mana, it can be seamlessly incorporated into any deck, while its ability to search for a planeswalker provides strategic advantage when aiming for deck consistency.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that focus on planeswalker strategies, allowing you to fetch the perfect planeswalker to complete your game-winning combo. Its utility in helping cycle through your deck to find key pieces enhances both offensive and defensive setups.

Meta-Relevance: With planeswalkers often playing a pivotal role in the current meta, having the ability to search for the right one at the right time can be a game-changer. The Gatewatch Beacon improves your ability to respond to evolving battlefield conditions and maintain an edge over your opponents.


How to Beat Gatewatch Beacon

The Gatewatch Beacon MTG card enriches the strategy of utilizing Planeswalkers. It serves as a lighthouse, enhancing the means to fetch these pivotal cards from your deck. Understanding its strengths is crucial when devising a counterattack strategy. Acknowledging that it can accelerate a Planeswalker-themed deck and offer late-game advantages will guide you in crafting a plan to outmaneuver it.

Confronting the Gatewatch Beacon head-on requires disruption. Strategies might involve direct artifact removal spells such as Abrade or Nature’s Claim, instantly nullifying the beacon’s influence. It’s a straightforward approach, targeting the artifact itself and taking it off the board. Furthermore, a counterplan might also focus on manipulating shuffle effects, which mitigates the Beacon’s ability to arrange the top of the library, therefore preserving the unpredictability of the draw.

Remember, patience plays well here. Allowing your opponent to invest mana into activating the Gatewatch Beacon and responding with instant-speed removal disrupts both their mana and planning. By adopting such a tactic, you disrupt an opponent’s grander scheme while conserving resources for crucial moments later in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is all about strategy and understanding the nuanced synergy between cards. Gatewatch Beacon shines as a resourceful artifact for those who thrive on a planeswalker-centric playstyle. Using the insights from its pros and cons and similar cards, the card can be a beacon indeed for your deck, rallying powerful allies to your side. If you’re keen on sculpting a deck that capitalizes on pivotal planeswalker moves or aiming to fine-tune your strategy against artifacts, the nuanced analysis and discussions we provide will be invaluable. Continue your quest for MTG dominance with us and discover how Gatewatch Beacon can illuminate your path to victory. Dive deeper with BurnMana and explore all the strategies and combos that can set your deck apart.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gatewatch Beacon MTG card by a specific set like Commander Masters and Commander Masters, 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 Gatewatch Beacon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gatewatch Beacon Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-08-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Deruchenko Alexander.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 7212015NormalBlackDeruchenko Alexander
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 7542015NormalBlackDeruchenko Alexander

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gatewatch Beacon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal