Gideon's Reproach MTG Card

Gideon’s Reproach provides card advantage by eliminating threats without losing creatures, shifting game balance your way. Instant speed of Gideon’s Reproach offers flexibility to disrupt opponents’ strategies and protect your board on their turn. Though mana-specific and with alternatives, the card affords defensive depth and combo potential against aggressive decks.

Gideon's Reproach - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)

Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
2015-10-02 - Number 30

Dominaria (DOM)
2018-04-27 - Number 19

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Gideon's Reproach deals 4 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

"Suddenly, Gideon was there with us, clearing the way so that we could escape." —*The War Diaries*

Cards like Gideon's Reproach

Gideon’s Reproach is a tactical spell in the realm of creature control within Magic: The Gathering. It holds a resemblance to other damage-dealing instant spells such as Lightning Bolt, which offers a stronger punch delivering three damage for less mana. While Gideon’s Reproach requires a specific condition of blocking or being blocked, Lightning Bolt provides more flexibility and potential for direct player damage.

Comparatively, there’s Sandblast, which demands the same block condition as Gideon’s Reproach but inflicts a heftier five damage. It’s a trade-off, more damage for higher mana cost and the same tactical limitations. Divine Verdict is another card in this space, offering a straightforward creature destruction at a higher cost without the block requirement that Gideon’s Reproach has, thereby giving a player the unconditional control over threatening creatures.

Assessing Gideon’s Reproach among its peers, we can appreciate its moderate mana cost and its role in defensive strategies. It stands as a fine option for budget decks and exemplifies the strategic depth of the MTG instant spell suite, even if it doesn’t always shine as the premier choice in a competitive scene.

Cards similar to Gideon's Reproach by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gideon’s Reproach might not draw cards, but it effectively serves as a two-for-one by removing a threat while keeping your own creatures safe on the board. This removal tactic can significantly tilt the balance in a game where every card counts.

Resource Acceleration: Though Gideon’s Reproach doesn’t directly affect your mana pool, the swift elimination of an opponent’s creature can be seen as a form of indirect resource acceleration. You’re essentially saving mana that might otherwise be spent on larger removal spells, allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Gideon’s Reproach at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This surprise element often forces your opponent to play more cautiously, potentially disrupting their strategy and preserving your defenses without having to commit to a spell preemptively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Gideon’s Reproach doesn’t require you to discard a card as some spells do, this concept is important to consider as part of your overall strategy. Cards that do require discards can strain your resources, especially in the later stages of the game when every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Gideon’s Reproach requires an exact mana combination to cast – two white mana. This can hinder its versatility, as it may not easily fit into multicolored or color-flexible decks that run low on white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Gideon’s Reproach may seem efficient, but in the realm of creature removal, there are alternatives that cost less or offer additional benefits. This makes Gideon’s Reproach a less optimal choice in decks looking to maximize mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include Gideon’s Reproach in Your Collection

Versatility: Gideon’s Reproach adds defensive depth to any deck, capable of handling threatening creatures across various situations. Its low casting cost allows players to keep mana open for other spells or adapt to unexpected moves from the opponent.

Combo Potential: This card can be synergistically combined with ‘damage matters’ mechanics or cards that trigger upon the destruction of a creature, enhancing strategic play and creating impactful turns that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Considering diverse play environments, Gideon’s Reproach can gain significant importance, dealing with popular aggro decks or creatures with abilities that activate upon attacking. This instant response can maintain or shift board control, pivotal for prevailing in competitive settings.

How to beat Gideon’s Reproach

Gideon’s Reproach is a tactical instant card that can deal 4 damage to an attacking or blocking creature, providing a solid defensive option during combat phases. To effectively circumvent this card, consider deploying creatures with toughness greater than 4, which can survive the damage Gideon’s Reproach deals. Indestructible creatures also offer a robust solution as they are impervious to its effects. Additionally, using spells that grant hexproof or protection from white can shield your creatures from being targeted, rendering Gideon’s Reproach ineffective against them.

Another strategy involves baiting out the card early by attacking with less crucial creatures, preserving your key players for later combat rounds after the threat of Gideon’s Reproach has been mitigated. Keep in mind, instants like Gideon’s Reproach are commonly used during the opponent’s turn, so having counter spells ready or abilities that negate the effect can prove invaluable. By understanding the specific timing and limitations of Gideon’s Reproach, you can adeptly manage your battlefield and protect your creatures from its reach.

Ultimately, clever gameplay and strategic foresight are your best tools when facing this card. By anticipating its use and preparing countermeasures, you can turn the tables and ensure your creatures live to fight another round.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gideon's Reproach MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Dominaria, 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's Reproach and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gideon's Reproach Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2015-10-02	Battle for Zendikar	BFZ		30	2015	Normal	Black	Dan Scott
2	2018-04-27	Dominaria	DOM		19	2015	Normal	Black	Izzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gideon's Reproach has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal