Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 158
2023-03-21 - Number 158
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Werewolf |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Gatstaf Arsonists.
The glow in their eyes reveals more than anger or madness.
Cards like Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers
Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers stands out in the realm of werewolf creatures in Magic: The Gathering. In its company is the card Lambholt Pacifist // Lambholt Butcher, which also transforms under similar conditions. While Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers requires five mana to play, Lambholt Pacifist is a tad less mana-hungry, asking for just two. Although the Arsonists come with a heftier punch once transformed into Gatstaf Ravagers, the Pacifist provides an earlier presence on the board.
If we move to compare it with another lycanthrope, Breakneck Rider // Neck Breaker shares the transformative ability as well. Its initial cast is cheaper by one mana and it bolsters other attacking creatures post-transformation. However, Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers boast a higher individual power, making it a formidable standalone card when flipped.
Assessing these options, Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers can be a game changer in a well-timed werewolf deck. While it may not be the swiftest to cast among its kin, its substantial transformed power makes it a worthy contender on the MTG battlefield. Its capability to inflict heavy damage aligns perfectly with the aggressive strategies werewolf decks are celebrated for.
Cards similar to Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the transforming ability of Gatstaf Arsonists into Gatstaf Ravagers, this card effectively brings two powerful creature states into your game. This duality ensures that you can adapt to different game situations, optimizing card utility over the course of the match.
Resource Acceleration: When Gatstaf Arsonists transform into the more potent Gatstaf Ravagers, they become a significant threat that demands an answer. Their increased power can swiftly accelerate the game’s tempo in your favor, often forcing your opponent to spend resources on dealing with them, which indirectly accelerates your resource superiority.
Instant Speed: Although neither side of the card has instant speed abilities, the intrinsic nature of the werewolf transformation mechanic allows for strategic play at instant speed. By not casting spells during your own turn, you can trigger the transformation at the beginning of the next upkeep, catching opponents off-guard and potentially overwhelming them with the Ravagers’ augmented power.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gatstaf Arsonists require a full hand to truly capitalize on its potential. Without the necessary card to discard, transforming it into Gatstaf Ravagers can be a challenge, denying you access to this creature’s more powerful side.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana composition, exclusively red, for casting and transforming, making it a less flexible choice in multi-color builds that may need more diverse mana allocation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Arsonists might pack a punch when transformed, their initial mana cost is on the heftier side. In the fast-paced environment of competitive play, utilizing five mana for this creature may fall short in terms of board impact when compared to other cards with similar cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers transition from a punishing late-game beater to an even more formidable threat once transformed. This card can easily slot into aggressive red decks or any strategy looking to capitalize on werewolf synergies.
Combo Potential: With its werewolf typing, this card energizes with mechanics that trigger on creature type or transform abilities—pairing well with effects that modify or utilize flip mechanics can create powerhouse combinations on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: The ability to adapt to opponent’s strategies makes Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers relevant in diverse metas. Their flipping mechanism can catch opponents off guard, especially in a game state where they are forced to play fewer spells, allowing this creature to ravage unchecked.
How to beat
Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers can be a powerful threat in MTG with its potential to transform into a formidable 6/5 creature once nightfall hits the battlefield. The key to managing this dual-faced card from the Shadows over Innistrad set lies in preventing the transformation or having a plan for when it does. Solid removal spells, like Murder or Path to Exile, can handle it either pre or post-transformation without letting its massive attack stat become a problem.
Board control strategies are also effective. Sweeper spells, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear the board no matter the state of the game, dealing with the Arsonists and other creatures all in one fell swoop. It’s also worth keeping in mind that simply casting a spell during your turn keeps the Arsonists from ravaging the board as the day remains. A steady flow of plays can thus prevent nightfall from triggering its transformation into Gatstaf Ravagers.
Dealing with the Arsonists promptly is vital as letting it flip into the Ravagers can quickly swing the game. Timing and careful management of removal resources will be your greatest allies in keeping the Arsonists from igniting your downfall.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Greg Staples.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 158 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 158 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | The abilities that transform a Werewolf back and forth look at the entire previous turn, even if the Werewolf with that ability wasn’t on the battlefield for some or all of that turn. |
| 2016-04-08 | To trigger the Werewolf’s back face’s transform ability, a single player must have cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won’t trigger. |
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |