Geralf's Masterpiece MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 65s
2016-04-08 - Number 65
2023-03-21 - Number 73
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Horror |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Flying Geralf's Masterpiece gets -1/-1 for each card in your hand. , Discard three cards: Return Geralf's Masterpiece from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
Cards like Geralf's Masterpiece
Geralf’s Masterpiece is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other reanimation powerhouse cards. It shares a bond with cards like Stitchwing Skaab in that both can perpetuate a cycle of returning from the graveyard to the battlefield. Geralf’s Masterpiece, however, distinguishes itself by becoming stronger as your hand dwindles, potentially becoming a colossal threat with the right setup.
Another comparable card is Advanced Stitchwing which also offers a reusable way to reanimate, though requiring a slightly different set of resources to do so. Unlike Geralf’s Masterpiece, the Advanced Stitchwing doesn’t vary in power and toughness based on hand size. Then, there’s the Prized Amalgam, a creature that can recur whenever a creature enters the battlefield from the graveyard, yet it lacks the direct self-reanimation ability and power flexibility of Geralf’s Masterpiece.
Through considering the nuance and utility each card brings to the table, Geralf’s Masterpiece stands out for its potential in graveyard-centric strategies within Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its adaptability under varying game conditions and its innate synergy with discard mechanics.
Cards similar to Geralf's Masterpiece by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Geralf’s Masterpiece presents a formidable ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield, offering repeating value and maintaining card presence, thus keeping hand size in check while threatening opponents.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with strategies that discard cards for benefits, effectively turning those discarded cards into a resource, as it can be returned for a lower cost, speeding up your game-play tactically.
Instant Speed: Although the card itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to be returned from the graveyard can be activated at the end of an opponent’s turn, optimizing your mana usage and providing surprise blocking potential or an unexpected attacker on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players wanting to summon Geralf’s Masterpiece, they must be prepared to strategically manage their hand. The challenge intensifies as you must discard three cards to activate its ability, often leading to a precarious balance between maintaining card advantage and unlocking the full potential of this creature.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck builders should keep in mind that incorporating Geralf’s Masterpiece requires a commitment to blue mana. With a casting cost that demands three blue mana symbols, it primarily fits into mono-blue or two-color decks where blue is a dominant component.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total investment of five mana to get Geralf’s Masterpiece onto the battlefield, players have to weigh this against other options within the same mana range. Given that this mana could be used for multiple spells or creatures with immediate impact, the cost efficiency of this card may be a point of consideration for optimal deck construction.
Reasons to Include Geralf’s Masterpiece in Your Collection
Versatility: Geralf’s Masterpiece offers flexibility in gameplay, as it’s a card that grows stronger as your hand empties. This makes it a fitting addition for decks that cycle through cards quickly or aim to play with a smaller hand.
Combo Potential: With the ability to return from your graveyard to the battlefield by discarding three cards, Geralf’s Masterpiece synergizes with strategies that benefit from self-mill or discard mechanics, enhancing decks built around graveyard interactions.
Meta-Relevance: As long as graveyard-based strategies remain a component of the meta, Geralf’s Masterpiece retains its significance. Its formidable presence as a flyer makes it a powerful contender against various opponent setups.
How to Beat Geralf’s Masterpiece
Geralf’s Masterpiece is a powerful creature card that commands attention in any MTG game. One of its key features is the ability to become stronger as you carry fewer cards in hand. Dismantling the dominance of Geralf’s Masterpiece starts by ensuring you have removal spells ready in your arsenal. Exile-based removal is particularly effective, sidestepping the card’s ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield.
Furthermore, increasing your hand size diminishes the power of Geralf’s Masterpiece as it inversely scales with the number of cards in your hand. Consider incorporating spells into your deck that allow you to draw more cards, maintaining a substantial hand throughout the game. Additionally, cards that force your opponent to draw could inadvertently weaken their Geralf’s Masterpiece, making it easier to manage.
In short, your strategy to outmatch Geralf’s Masterpiece should balance removal spells and tactics to increase hand size, which in turn mitigate the creature’s strengths. As you adapt your plays to these strategies, you’ll find that even the mightiest of masterpieces can be overcome in the vast realm of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Geralf's Masterpiece MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad Promos and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Geralf's Masterpiece 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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Printings
The Geralf's Masterpiece Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad Promos | PSOI | 65s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Geralf's Masterpiece has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Geralf's Masterpiece 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 | Geralf’s Masterpiece’s last ability can only be activated while it’s in your graveyard. |
| 2016-04-08 | If a spell or ability causes you to draw cards and then discard cards, Geralf’s Masterpiece may have a toughness of 0 while you choose which cards to discard. As long as it has toughness 1 or greater again after the spell or ability resolves, it will survive. |