Ghitu Slinger MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 77
2016-06-10 - Number 133
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Nomad |
| Abilities | Echo |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.) When Ghitu Slinger comes into play, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
If you survive a slinger attack, the slinger wished you to live.
Cards like Ghitu Slinger
Ghitu Slinger brings a unique dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This particular card is akin to cards like Flametongue Kavu, which also excels in removing creatures upon entering the battlefield. The key difference lies in Ghitu Slinger’s echo cost, which requires another payment of its casting cost in the following turn, giving players the choice of a temporary or a permanent field presence.
Another relative is Embermage Goblin, which provides a repeatable source of damage but at the cost of a tap mechanic and a higher initial mana investment. Though Embermage Goblin offers a more sustainable damage outlet over multiple turns, it lacks the immediate impact that Ghitu Slinger offers upon hitting the field. In contrast, Ghitu Slinger enters with a bang, able to remove a key target straight away.
Assessing these cards, it’s clear Ghitu Slinger provides a versatile and immediate answer to threats on the board. This capability, along with the option for a later game presence via echo, positions it favorably among red creature cards with similar enter-the-battlefield effects.
Cards similar to Ghitu Slinger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ghitu Slinger, when entering the battlefield, deals damage while adding to your board presence, effectively removing an opponent’s threat or tipping life totals in your favor. This dual utility can swing the momentum of the game, providing subtle yet significant card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Ghitu Slinger itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its ability to potentially eliminate a resource-draining creature or planeswalker from your opponent’s side can indirectly accelerate your game plan, allowing you to commit mana to more decisive plays.
Instant Speed: Although Ghitu Slinger isn’t an instant, its echo ability grants it a pseudo-instant speed aspect. You can choose to let the echo resolve to keep the creature on the field or let it go to achieve a sort of ‘hit-and-run’ effect, providing flexibility in your strategy depending on the current state of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Ghitu Slinger can be a strong addition to aggressive MTG strategies, a particular downside is the requirement to discard a card when leveraging its echo ability. This can lead to a depletion of valuable hand resources, potentially placing you at a disadvantage if your deck relies on maintaining card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a specific mana composition with a combination of generic and red mana. This specificity means that the card fits primarily into decks that are committed to red mana sources, potentially limiting the Slinger’s versatility and inclusion in multicolored deck builds where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that could be seen as somewhat steep for its 2/2 body and one-time direct damage ability, the Ghitu Slinger faces competition from other creatures or spells in MTG that may offer more impact or efficiency for a similar or lower mana investment, particularly in decks aiming for a quick victory or those with a focus on optimizing mana curve.
Reasons to Include Ghitu Slinger in Your Collection
Versatility: Ghitu Slinger provides excellent adaptability for various decks, functioning efficiently as both a creature and a direct damage dealer upon entering the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card offers intriguing synergies, notably with decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield triggers or require efficient ways to deal with smaller creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame with creature-heavy strategies, Ghitu Slinger can serve as an effective means to maintain board control, allowing you flexibility in matches where targeted removal is key.
How to beat
Ghitu Slinger is an intriguing creature card that brings both direct damage and a presence on the board to your Magic: The Gathering matches. It’s comparable to creature cards with “enter the battlefield” effects, such as Fanatic of Mogis, which also deals damage based on certain conditions. However, Ghitu Slinger differs in that it provides guaranteed damage upon entry.
To outmaneuver this card, consider using instant-speed removal to dispatch it before its ability can be repeated with effects such as flickering or bouncing it back to the player’s hand. Spells like Swords to Plowshares or Counterspell can efficiently halt the Slinger before it makes a bigger impact. Additionally, cards that prevent damage or give your creatures indestructibility for a turn, like Boros Charm, can negate the direct damage Ghitu Slinger aims to deal.
In essence, dealing with Ghitu Slinger involves timing your removal wisely and having protective measures in place. It’s a card that demands an immediate answer, similar to impactful creatures like Reclamation Sage or Ravenous Chupacabra, yet by staying one step ahead, you can prevent it from becoming a recurring threat in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ghitu Slinger MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Eternal Masters, 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 Ghitu Slinger 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ghitu Slinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 77 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ghitu Slinger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |