Gather the Townsfolk MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 8
2016-02-26 - Number 12
2002-06-24 - Number 43511
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Fateful hour |
Text of card
Put two 1/1 white Human creature tokens onto the battlefield. Fateful hour — If you have 5 or less life, put five of those tokens onto the battlefield instead.
In the memories of those they lost lies the strength needed to defend their city.
Cards like Gather the Townsfolk
Gather the Townsfolk has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a staple for token-generating strategies. It shares its ideological roots with cards like Raise the Alarm, which also summons two creatures for two mana. Yet, Gather the Townsfolk has the potential edge with its Fateful Hour condition, granting it the power to create a total of five tokens when your life total is 5 or less, whereas Raise the Alarm does not have an additional effect.
Another parallel exists in Krenko’s Command, identical in cost and effect to Raise the Alarm but distinct in flavor, hailing from the goblin-entrenched world of Ravnica. Securing its position alongside these is Dragon Fodder, another spell also specialized in producing a pair of tokens, invoking the same total cost for the spell’s utilization.
Studying these cards collectively highlights Gather the Townsfolk’s unique place in balancing token generation with the capability of a game-changing surge in creature count at the peak of peril. This strategic dynamism offers deck builders a compelling choice for swarming the board, especially in the critical moments of a match. It’s a tool designed for resilience and comeback, setting it apart in the suite of token-creating spells.
Cards similar to Gather the Townsfolk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gather the Townsfolk enables you to create two 1/1 white Human creature tokens, effectively providing multiple blockers or attackers from a single card. When played under the right conditions, this can translate to significant card advantage as it outpaces your opponent’s single-card-per-turn routine.
Resource Acceleration: The card thrives on resource acceleration, especially if you have five or more life than your starting total. With its Fateful Hour ability, you’ll summon five creatures instead of two, drastically accelerating your board presence and the pressure you can apply on your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Gather the Townsfolk isn’t an instant, its low mana cost allows for a swift board presence buildup, which can be strategically timed. It slots well into turns where you leave mana open for other spells and still have the option to deploy threats at the end of your opponent’s turn or when it’s most advantageous for you.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Gather the Townsfolk does not specifically require discarding a card, it does ask players to make a choice. In scenarios where you activate its Fateful Hour ability, your limited life total becomes a resource you’re effectively trading for additional creature tokens, which can be risky.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a white-specific mana cost that mandates the inclusion of white mana sources in your deck. This requirement potentially restricts its compatibility, making it less versatile for multicolored decks that may not prioritize white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, producing two 1/1 white Human creature tokens can be considered cost-effective. However, when compared to other white spells that may provide more substantial board presence or protection for the same or lower mana investment, Gather the Townsfolk might not always be the optimal choice, especially outside of decks with a Human or token synergy focus.
Reasons to Include Gather the Townsfolk in Your Collection
Versatility: Gather the Townsfolk is a flexible card that can slot into a variety of deck types. It’s particularly useful in decks that need to quickly populate the board with creatures, serving as both an early game play and a way to boost your creature count for synergy purposes.
Combo Potential: The instant increase in creatures can be a springboard for combo strategies, particularly those involving cards requiring a certain number of creatures to activate or enhance abilities. Plus, its Fateful Hour ability has great synergy with decks that manipulate life totals for strategic advantages.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Gather the Townsfolk offers immediate board presence. It swiftly adapts to the state of the game, either setting up defenses or augmenting an offensive strategy, ensuring it remains a relevant choice across various meta shifts.
How to beat
Gather the Townsfolk is a versatile card that brings a multitude of human tokens into play swiftly, bolstering your board presence in the blink of an eye. This capacity to amass a considerable force can be overwhelming for unprepared opponents, yet there are strategies to counteract its impact. Esteemed for its efficiency and the Fateful Hour ability, which can double its token output, it still has its vulnerabilities.
One of the most effective tactics against Gather the Townsfolk is using spells that clear multiple creatures at once, often referred to as board wipes. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, negating the advantage Gather the Townsfolk provides. Additionally, continual damage effects from cards like Pyroclasm can keep the tokens in check before they accumulate. It’s also strategic to preemptively use cards that limit token generation abilities, like Illness in the Ranks, to undercut the card before it can make an impact.
Ultimately, while Gather the Townsfolk can swiftly populate the battlefield, its strength is mitigated by having the right spells in your arsenal. Knowing when to hold back your resources and when to strike with removal is key to diluting its effectiveness.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gather the Townsfolk MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension, 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 Gather the Townsfolk 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 Gather the Townsfolk Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2016-02-26. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43511 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Bud Cook | ||
| 2 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 8 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gather the Townsfolk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |