Gerrard's Verdict MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 102
2023-01-13 - Number 190
2023-01-13 - Number 358
2002-06-24 - Number 31461
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target player discards two cards from his or her hand. You gain 3 life for each land card discarded this way.
A heart of light and a soul of darkness cannot coexist.
Cards like Gerrard's Verdict
Gerrard’s Verdict stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a valuable multi-faceted discard spell. When we consider other discard spells, Blightning comes to mind, which also deprives opponents of two cards and deals damage. Gerrard’s Verdict lacks the direct damage aspect but offers potential life gain, a subtle twist offering potential for a positive life swing.
Likewise, Hymn to Tourach is a staple in the pantheon of discard effects, randomly forcing two cards from a foe’s hand. While it’s more unpredictable, Gerrard’s Verdict provides control and the additional benefit of life gain, which Hymn to Tourach does not. We also find Mind Rot within this sphere of comparison. Mind Rot is straightforward in its approach, causing an opponent to discard two cards, but again, it lacks Gerrard’s Verdict’s possibility of gaining life, demonstrating the sophistication and potential advantage of Gerrard’s Verdict in the right deck.
Assessing them side by side, Gerrard’s Verdict does more than just disrupt; it can fortify a player’s life total, positioning it uniquely among its peer group in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gerrard's Verdict by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gerrard's Verdict. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Control | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
| Deadguy Ale | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
 | B/W Mid | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | The Rock | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gerrard’s Verdict encourages a significant shift in hand dynamics by causing an opponent to discard two cards while potentially allowing you to gain life. This disrupts their strategy and bolsters your resilience in a match.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration like a ramp spell, it effectively slows down your opponent by removing key resources from their hand, which could indirectly speed up your game plan relative to theirs.
Instant Speed: Gerrard’s Verdict is cast at sorcery speed, but despite not being an instant, the tactical advantage gained through its casting can be compared to the flexibility that instant speed spells offer by disrupting the opponent’s tempo and planning at a crucial moment in the early game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gerrard’s Verdict presents players with the choice of discarding cards, which can backfire if you’re up against an opponent who benefits from having cards in the graveyard or runs out of cards to discard.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Gerrard’s Verdict requires a white and a black mana, making it exclusive to certain deck archetypes such as Orzhov, and not easily slotted into decks outside those colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not excessively high, the two mana you spend could be a drawback when considering other disruption spells in the format that can be played for less and affect the game sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gerrard’s Verdict offers a unique blend of disruption and life gain, making it a suitable addition to decks focused on resource denial as well as those aiming for stabilization against aggressive strategies.
Combo Potential: Its ability to force discard can synergize with archetypes designed around punishing opponents for having fewer cards in hand, and the life gain can be utilized in combos that scale with health differential.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where hand advantage plays a critical role, Gerrard’s Verdict can tip the scales by both depleting opponents’ options and bolstering your own resilience, ensuring it remains a cunning play in various competitive formats.
How to beat Gerrard’s Verdict
Gerrard’s Verdict is a well-known card among MTG players for its ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand while potentially allowing the user to gain life. To effectively counteract this card, it is crucial to manage your hand with precision. Holding onto lands can mitigate the life gain aspect that comes into play if non-land cards are discarded. You can also utilize instant-speed spells and abilities to empty your hand in response to Gerrard’s Verdict, which minimizes its impact.
Cards with mechanics that benefit from discarding, such as Madness or Flashback, can turn the disadvantage into an opportunity. This strategic move ensures that even when faced with the potential loss of resources, you can still seize an edge in gameplay. Moreover, having cards with cycling in your deck can help smooth out your draws and maintain a hand size that makes Gerrard’s Verdict less effective against you.
Remember, anticipation is key. If you are aware of the possibility of facing this card, careful planning and deliberate play can turn the tables, allowing you to maintain control even in the wake of a potentially disruptive spell like Gerrard’s Verdict.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gerrard's Verdict MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Magic Online Promos, 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 Gerrard's Verdict 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 Gerrard's Verdict Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31461 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | ||
| 3 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 190 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 358 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gerrard's Verdict has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |