Gearbane Orangutan MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ape |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 129 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Svetlin Velinov |
Text of card
Reach When Gearbane Orangutan enters the battlefield, choose one — • Destroy up to one target artifact. • Sacrifice an artifact. If you do, put two +1/+1 counters on Gearbane Orangutan.
"In her defense, thopters are very fun to smash." —Udol of the Foundway Associates
Cards like Gearbane Orangutan
Gearbane Orangutan enters the world of artifact destruction in MTG with a distinct presence. It aligns with the abilities of cards like Reclamation Sage, who not only signature elven grace but also delivers the singularity of artifact and enchantment removal upon entering the battlefield. The Orangutan, boasting simian might, distinguishes itself by specifically targeting artifacts, which can be a strategic advantage against artifact-heavy opponents.
Viashino Heretic comes into play as another rival in this niche. It offers the repeatability of artifact destruction with its activated ability. While it doesn’t have the immediate impact of the Orangutan, the potential for ongoing control can shape the field of play turn after turn. Yet it requires additional mana investment that Gearbane Orangutan does not, emphasizing the Orangutan’s immediate effect as its key edge.
When it comes to the utility and timing of annihilating opponent’s artifacts, Gearbane Orangutan holds its ground. Its one-time, no-extra-cost destructive ability is both a boon and a limitation, situating it firmly as a valuable card in the right deck, especially for those adopting a ‘smash and go’ approach to dismantling an opponent’s strategic artifacts.
Cards similar to Gearbane Orangutan by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gearbane Orangutan. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | 86#CS | |
 | WR | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-03-09 | |
 | Lilypadms MKM Sealed | Free form | UOL MKM Sealed League | |
 | Grixis Control | Pauper | Grixis Control | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-02-25 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Gearbane Orangutan offers an edge by potentially removing an opponent’s artifact from the game. This disrupts their board presence and can swing the tide in your favor, keeping your card count effective.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana, by dismantling an artifact, it can slow down opponents who rely on those artifacts for mana generation or other utilities, effectively accelerating your relative resource advantage.
Instant Speed: The ability to destroy an artifact at instant speed with cards like Gearbane Orangutan allows for reactive play during your opponent’s turn or in response to an activation, maintaining strategic flexibility and control over the game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the challenges faced when playing Gearbane Orangutan is that it necessitates pitching a card from your hand, which can be particularly taxing when your hand size is dwindling. This trade-off often forces players to make tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Gearbane Orangutan comes with a requirement for green mana. This can sometimes be restrictive as it doesn’t easily slot into multi-colored decks that may not focus on green mana resources or those that are strained for mana diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The orangutan enters the battlefield with a mana cost that is considered high for its stats and effect. In a metagame where tempo and efficiency are crucial, the cost paid can be disadvantageous when compared to other creatures or artifact destruction options that may offer similar utility without the same investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gearbane Orangutan offers a unique utility in decks that can benefit from artifact removal. Its ability to destroy target artifacts upon entering the battlefield makes it a useful sideboard card for games facing heavy artifact strategies.
Combo Potential: When combined with effects that allow for bouncing or replaying creatures, Gearbane Orangutan becomes part of a loop that can potentially clear the board of multiple artifacts, disrupting opponents’ tactics.
Meta-Relevance: In metas saturated with crucial artifacts, having a Gearbane Orangutan can help maintain an edge by selectively removing artifacts that could otherwise lead to an opponent’s victory.
How to beat
Gearbane Orangutan is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique twist to battlefield control with its artifact destruction ability. As it enters the battlefield, this creature can be pivotal in dismantling your opponent’s crucial artifacts, disrupting their game plan significantly. However, there are strategic ways to mitigate the impact of Gearbane Orangutan.
Firstly, counterplay revolves around managing the timing of your artifact plays. Holding back on casting significant artifacts until you’re able to deal with the Orangutan, either through removal spells or protective counterspells, can be wise. Additionally, deploying artifacts with indestructible properties or those that can regenerate can nullify the Orangutan’s effect.
Another tactic includes using instant-speed interaction to remove Gearbane Orangutan before its ability resolves, ensuring your artifacts remain untouched. Lastly, optimizing your deck with versatile removal cards can also create a broader safety net against creatures that pose similar threats to your artifact strategy. With considered planning and strategic foresight, Gearbane Orangutan’s disruption can be effectively managed, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your Magic: The Gathering duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gearbane Orangutan MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Gearbane Orangutan 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gearbane Orangutan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |