Gempalm Sorcerer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Cycling |
| Released | 2003-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legions |
| Set code | LGN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 39 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Hildebrandt |
Text of card
Cycling (, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.) When you cycle Gempalm Sorcerer, all Wizards gain flying until end of turn.
Cards like Gempalm Sorcerer
Gempalm Sorcerer brings a unique blend of utility to the table in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its peers among creatures like Riptide Director, who also leverages card draw based on creatures of a certain type – in this case, Wizards. However, Gempalm Sorcerer forgoes the potential for multiple draws for a more immediate impact on the board, offering the advantage of cycling to replace itself in hand and a targeted cantrip effect to disrupt an opponent’s creature.
Another relative in this niche is Quicksmith Genius. While this creature does not cycle, it allows for repeated card filtering whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control. The Genius requires a more synergistic approach, whereas Gempalm Sorcerer is a standalone option that can function in any deck that includes creatures with the Wizard subtype.
Lastly, we see the comparison with Steely Resolve, which offers a more permanent solution for creature protection, choosing shroud over Gempalm Sorcerer’s temporary unblockability. Although it cannot draw cards, it can shield an entire creature type from targeted spells or abilities, complementing a different strategic angle.
Altogether, Gempalm Sorcerer presents a valuable card for decks that thrive on cycling and unblockable creatures, holding its own amidst a variety of utility-based creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gempalm Sorcerer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gempalm Sorcerer offers a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to cycle it from your hand and subsequently draw a card, effectively replacing itself and helping you dig through your deck for key pieces.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly a form of mana acceleration, the cycling ability of Gempalm Sorcerer can be activated at a low cost, ensuring that you maintain the flow of resources and find the lands or spells you need without losing momentum.
Instant Speed: The ability to cycle Gempalm Sorcerer at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the board state, make decisions reactively, and utilize your mana efficiently during either player’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The activated ability of Gempalm Sorcerer necessitates discarding the card, which can be a significant drawback when you are running low on card options in hand. This self-discard may cause you to lose valuable momentum, especially in tight gameplay situations where card advantage is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a specific mana allocation of one blue and one generic, Gempalm Sorcerer requires a dedicated source of blue mana. This can be restrictive and make the card less versatile in multicolor decks that may not consistently have the appropriate mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cycling and effect tied to Gempalm Sorcerer comes with a total cost of three mana, which is weighty for the benefits provided. In formats where the game tempo is fast, this cost could be seen as inefficient, particularly when compared to other utility creatures or spells offering similar or superior effects for a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Gempalm Sorcerer in Your Collection
Versatility: Gempalm Sorcerer’s unassuming nature belies its adaptability. It finds a home in decks that capitalize on its cycling ability to draw cards, while also subtly boosting your creatures’ abilities when facing down opponents.
Combo Potential: This wizard can synergize with other cards that thrive on cycling or when spells are cast from the graveyard. It can be a low-key combo enabler, offering both utility and surprise value against unaware opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing field teeming with tribal strategies, Gempalm Sorcerer gains additional worth. Its tribal affiliation can offer unexpected bonuses in games where every card counts, making it a smart choice for finely-tuned decks looking to capitalize on every advantage.
How to beat
Gempalm Sorcerer brings a unique blend of abilities to the table in Magic: The Gathering, often serving both as a surprise card-drawer and a subtle way to debilitate your opponent’s creatures. Its cycling ability allows you to effectively replace it in your hand with another card and potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy by weakening their creatures’ power for a crucial turn.
One effective method to mitigate the impact of Gempalm Sorcerer is to utilize instant-speed removal or creature buffs in response to its cycling trigger. Cards like Giant Growth can unexpectedly boost your creature’s power to survive the temporary debuff. Counterspells can also come in handy, interrupting the cycling process and maintaining board stability. Cards such as Tormod’s Crypt can also neutralize the Sorcerer by removing it from the game, negating any potential benefits from cycling.
Ultimately, playing around Gempalm Sorcerer requires a readiness to adapt during your opponent’s turn. Keep mana open for responses and anticipate the potential timing of its cycling to ensure your creatures live to fight another round and maintain your control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gempalm Sorcerer MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Sorcerer 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 Gempalm Sorcerer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gempalm Sorcerer 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. |