Gempalm Polluter MTG Card
2003-02-03 - Number 70
2020-09-26 - Number LGN-70
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Abilities | Cycling |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Cycling (, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.) When you cycle Gempalm Polluter, you may have target player lose 1 life for each Zombie in play.
Cards like Gempalm Polluter
Gempalm Polluter brings a unique twist to the realm of cycling creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like its kin such as Gempalm Incinerator, the Polluter provides utility beyond being a creature, offering a cycle-triggered ability. Unlike the Incinerator, which deals damage based on the number of Goblins you control, Gempalm Polluter targets the opponent, causing life loss equivalent to the number of Zombies you command.
Twilight’s Call is another card that also takes advantage of a well-stocked graveyard by bringing back all creatures to the battlefield. Although it doesn’t directly cause life loss like the Polluter, it can turn the tide by overwhelming the field with Zombies. Streets Wraith offers a different take on cycling from Gempalm Polluter, supplying the option to cycle at the cost of life instead of mana, a subtle yet powerful difference for decks that operate on slim mana margins or need to cycle without tapping lands.
Ultimately, while there are many cycling cards in the Zombie tribe, Gempalm Polluter’s life-draining feature and its synergy with other Zombies place it in a league of its own. This card exemplifies strategic depth and tribe-focused strategy, making it a hidden gem among cycling cards in MTG.
Cards similar to Gempalm Polluter by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gempalm Polluter. 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 | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Mono-Black Tempo | Pauper | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup | |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pauper | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 3^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When cycling Gempalm Polluter, you not only get to draw a card, but you also potentially decrease your opponent’s life total, effectively giving you a two-for-one deal. This tactic strengthens your hand while applying pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Gempalm Polluter’s synergy with Zombie decks can accelerate your game plan significantly. By returning it from the graveyard to your hand with various Zombie tribal mechanics, you can repeatedly cycle it for value and continued advantage, outpacing your opponent’s resources.
Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Gempalm Polluter can be used at instant speed, allowing for strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. This flexibility can be a surprise factor, as it can shift the game’s momentum suddenly by drawing a card and possibly creating a life differential when least expected.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of Gempalm Polluter is that it necessitates a player discarding another Zombie card. This can deplete your hand and resources, particularly when you’re already running low or need to maintain card advantage in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: With a necessary black mana cost, Gempalm Polluter’s applicability is restricted to Zombie-themed or black-focused decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a card that costs six mana to cycle and activate its ability, it may be considered on the pricey side. Considering other options in the game, players might find alternative cards for cycling or direct damage that come into play more quickly or with less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Gempalm Polluter in Your Collection
Versatility: Gempalm Polluter is a flexible card that can be a valuable asset in zombie-themed decks. Its cycling ability allows you to draw a card and potentially clear the path by reducing an opponent’s life total, making it a good tool for both offense and defense.
Combo Potential: Within zombie decks, this card thrives, amplifying its impact when paired with undead hordes. Every zombie in play increases the life lost by opponents when Gempalm Polluter is cycled, setting the stage for lethal combinations that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are common, Gempalm Polluter’s cycling ability can be a game-changer. It allows you to thin your deck, find key pieces, and simultaneously diminish your opponents’ life totals without the need for direct combat.
How to beat
Gempalm Polluter has earned its place in the zombie archetype as a formidable tool due to its cycling ability and life loss effect. It plays a key role in draining an opponent’s life while being a resourceful card draw mechanism. When facing this undead advantage, it’s crucial to implement a strategy that neutralizes graveyard interactions and diminishes the effectiveness of the Polluter’s life-draining capability.
Bringing in graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prove vital to stop zombies from overwhelming the board and using their innate synergies to leverage Gempalm Polluter’s power. On top of that, instant-speed removal or counterspells are essential to disrupt your opponent’s plans before they can cycle Polluter and deal the finishing blow. It’s about keeping the graveyard clean while maintaining sufficient responses in hand to deal with any undead threats that arise.
Gempalm Polluter can be a tricky card to deal with, but with the right approach, its impact can be significantly diminished. Having these strategies in place will be a testament to the foresight and preparedness that’s crucial in overcoming the adversity presented by this potent zombie card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gempalm Polluter MTG card by a specific set like Legions and The List, 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 Gempalm Polluter and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Gempalm Polluter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2003-02-03. Illustrated by Dany Orizio.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gempalm Polluter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gempalm Polluter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not. |
| 2008-10-01 | The cycling ability and the triggered ability are separate. If the triggered ability doesn’t resolve (due to being countered with Stifle, for example, or if all its targets have become illegal), the cycling ability will still resolve and you’ll draw a card. |
| 2008-10-01 | When you cycle this card, first the cycling ability goes on the stack, then the triggered ability goes on the stack on top of it. The triggered ability will resolve before you draw a card from the cycling ability. |
| 2008-10-01 | You can cycle this card even if there are no targets for the triggered ability. That’s because the cycling ability itself has no targets. |