Gideon Blackblade MTG Card


Gideon Blackblade excels in versatility, acting as both a creature and indestructible planeswalker, avoiding sorcery-speed removal. He enhances your board without extra cost, protects and empowers creatures, matching the flexibility of instant-speed spells. Strategic removal or board wipes during the opponent’s turn can effectively counter Gideon Blackblade’s abilities.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Gideon
Loyalty 4

Text of card

As long as it's your turn, Gideon Blackblade is a 4/4 Human Soldier creature with indestructible that's still a planeswalker. Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Gideon Blackblade during your turn. +1: Up to one other target creature you control gains your choice of vigilance, lifelink, or indestructible until end of turn. −6: Exile target nonland permanent.


Cards like Gideon Blackblade

The introduction of Gideon Blackblade into the planeswalker arena of Magic: The Gathering brought with it a new aspect of versatility and power to white decks. Mirroring this card’s role as a resilient threat, Elspeth, Sun’s Champion offers a comparable impact with abilities that create token creatures and a devastating ultimate. Yet, Gideon’s distinction comes from his passive ability to act as a creature during your turn without the vulnerability of summoning sickness that Elspeth’s tokens face.

Another card worthy of comparison is Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants. Much like Gideon, Ajani has a penchant for bolstering creatures on the battlefield. Ajani, however, diverges with his focus on smaller creatures, providing them with +1/+1 counters and an eventual resurrection ability. Gideon, in contrast, shines in his ability to become an indestructible creature that can directly pressure life totals.

Ultimately, while each of these planeswalkers has their unique tactical advantages, Gideon Blackblade stands out in MTG as a formidable force on the battlefield with his combination of direct combat prowess and supportive abilities that benefit other creatures you control.

Elspeth, Sun's Champion - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Sun's Champion - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gideon Blackblade by color, type and mana cost

Teyo, the Shieldmage - MTG Card versions
Basri Ket - MTG Card versions
Gideon of the Trials - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Caller of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Teyo, Geometric Tactician - MTG Card versions
Teyo, the Shieldmage - MTG Card versions
Basri Ket - MTG Card versions
Gideon of the Trials - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Caller of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Teyo, Geometric Tactician - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Gideon Blackblade. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Boros Death & TaxesBoros Death & Taxes GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-White Death & TaxesMono-White Death & Taxes GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
Orzhov AggroOrzhov Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Boros DwarvesBoros Dwarves PioneerBoros DwarvesPioneer Preliminary 2023-12-19 (1)
Mono-White HumansMono-White Humans PioneerMono-White HumansMIT Championship -

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gideon Blackblade shines in delivering value by being a versatile card that can effectively be a creature during your turn and an indestructible planeswalker during your opponent’s. This duality ensures continuity and potential board presence advantage without the usual vulnerability of creatures to sorcery-speed removal.

Resource Acceleration: This card bolsters your board presence without additional resource dedication as it requires no further investment after being played. Gideon’s abilities provide protection and stat boosts to other creatures, which equates to resource acceleration by enhancing the capabilities of your existing assets.

Instant Speed: While Gideon himself is not an instant, his ability to give another creature indestructible as a loyalty ability can be activated at instant speed during your turn. This interaction allows the player to respond dynamically to threats and manipulate combat outcomes significantly, matching the flexibility that instant speed spells offer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gideon Blackblade does not directly require a discard, but using his loyalty abilities optimally often means playing additional cards that might force discard, affecting overall hand economy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of this card includes two white mana symbols in its total cost, making it less flexible and primarily viable in white or White-based decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While three mana is not excessive for a powerful planeswalker, decks may prefer other cards that provide immediate board impact or protection at a similar cost bracket.


Reasons to Include Gideon Blackblade in Your Collection

Versatility: Gideon Blackblade stands out with his ability to slot into numerous deck archetypes. As a planeswalker who also becomes a creature, he fits seamlessly into strategies that capitalize on creature buffs or need a resilient planeswalker on the board. His loyalty abilities cater to aggressive, midrange, and control strategies equally well, offering utility in various game phases.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with equipment and aura spells, potentially setting the stage for powerful combos. Its indestructibility during your turn provides excellent synergy with effects that capitalize on combat, such as “Sigarda’s Aid” which can flash in auras and equipment to catch opponents off guard.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors planeswalkers or where creature-based strategies are predominant, Gideon Blackblade’s swift impact on the board makes him a strong contender. His ability to give another creature vigilance, lifelink, or indestructibility could prove crucial in tilting the battlefield balance in your favor.


How to beat

Gideon Blackblade is a formidable planeswalker card known for its prowess in combat and versatility on the battlefield. One of the key strategies to overcome this card is to leverage its vulnerability during your turn. As Gideon becomes a creature on its controller’s turn, this is the perfect window to employ removal spells. Consider using instant-speed removal like Murder or Heartless Act, that can target creatures to help whisk Gideon away from the battlefield effectively.

Enchantment-based removal can also doom Gideon if he’s not backed by enchantment protection. Binding the Old Gods or Conclave Tribunal provide ways to neutralize him without waiting for him to become a creature. Moreover, board wipes that do not discriminate between creature types, such as Shatter the Sky or Doomskar, can clear the board of Gideon along with other threats when timed correctly.

It’s essential to remember Gideon Blackblade’s ability to provide indestructibility to another permanent as a loyalty ability. To counter this, direct your removal or control spells strategically to ensure that your attempt to beat Gideon isn’t negated by his own abilities.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Gideon Blackblade is key in both utilizing and countering this versatile MTG card. Embraced for its rare planeswalker-creature hybrid abilities, Gideon offers an edge in various deck strategies. As you continue to build and refine your MTG decks, consider how cards like Gideon can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Whether it’s protecting other creatures or countering him adequately on the battlefield, knowledge is power. Dive deeper into the intricacies of deck building and advanced play strategies with us and ensure your MTG sessions are as strategic as they are enjoyable. Explore more insights and become a master of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gideon Blackblade MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos 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 Gideon Blackblade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gideon Blackblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 722852015NormalBlackTada
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 780192015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32018-10-05Mythic EditionMED WS22015NormalBorderlessKieran Yanner
42019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 132015NormalBlackViktor Titov
52019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 13★2015NormalBlackTada
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 13s★2015NormalBlackTada
72019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 13s2015NormalBlackViktor Titov
82019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 13p2015NormalBlackViktor Titov
92019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 5032015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
102024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 202015NormalBlackViktor Titov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gideon Blackblade has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gideon Blackblade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-05-03 Any counters that are put on Gideon remain on him while he’s not a creature, even if they have no effect on a noncreature planeswalker.
2019-05-03 If an Equipment becomes attached to Gideon while he’s a creature, it’ll become unattached during the next upkeep that isn’t yours. The same is true of any Auras that become attached to Gideon that can’t enchant a noncreature planeswalker.
2019-05-03 If an effect causes Gideon to lose all abilities during your turn, he’s still a Human Soldier creature and a Gideon planeswalker.
2019-05-03 If damage that can’t be prevented is dealt to Gideon during your turn, that damage will have all applicable results: specifically, the damage is marked on Gideon (since he’s a creature) and that damage causes that many loyalty counters to be removed from him (since he’s a planeswalker). Even though he has indestructible, if Gideon has no loyalty counters on him, he’s put into his owner’s graveyard.
2019-05-03 You choose which ability the target creature gains as Gideon’s first loyalty ability resolves, not as you activate it.