Gideon's Triumph MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2019-05-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | War of the Spark |
| Set code | WAR |
| Number | 15 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Text of card
Target opponent sacrifices a creature that attacked or blocked this turn. If you control a Gideon planeswalker, that player sacrifices two of those creatures instead.
His triumph came not from victory over his enemies, but from the salvation of those who survived.
Cards like Gideon's Triumph
Gideon’s Triumph is a powerful instant spell in MTG that can play a pivotal role in protecting key planeswalkers or simply controlling the battlefield. Similar cards within this space include Blessed Alliance, which also offers a versatile reaction to incoming threats, enabling the player to not only force an opponent to sacrifice an attacking creature but also to gain life or untap creatures, which Gideon’s Triumph lacks. However, Gideon’s Triumph adds unique protection to a planeswalker you control.
Then there’s Settle the Wreckage, an effective but more costly trap for unwary attackers that exiles creatures en masse instead of just targeting ones opponent controls. Unlike Gideon’s Triumph, it doesn’t require a planeswalker to be under your control to maximize its effect. Divine Verdict, which destroys an attacking or blocking creature, offers a straightforward solution similar to Gideon’s Triumph but lacks the potential to wipe out multiple attackers with a single card regardless of size or power.
When comparing these options for defensive spells, Gideon’s Triumph fits snugly within the scope of MTG’s control-based instants — its value most greatly felt when safeguarding iconic planeswalkers during pivotal turns of play.
Cards similar to Gideon's Triumph by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gideon’s Triumph potentially tackles multiple attackers, efficiently dealing with more than one threat and preventing future damage, a fundamental aspect for gaining the upper hand in a match.
Resource Acceleration: While Gideon’s Triumph itself does not directly provide mana or resources, its low mana cost aids in preserving your reserves, allowing you to allocate resources effectively for other plays and maintain tempo.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Gideon’s Triumph at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy when they least expect it, particularly during combat which makes it a strategic asset in any game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Gideon’s Triumph provides a solid defensive option, it comes with an inherent limitation. Its effectiveness is maximized when you have a Gideon planeswalker on the field, implying an added requirement of playing a certain card type, which may not always align with your deck’s strategy or the state of play.
Specific Mana Cost: Gideon’s Triumph demands a precise mana alignment — two white mana in its total cost. This requirement pigeonholes the card into white-based or two-color decks that can consistently produce white mana, potentially restricting its versatility in a metagame that values adaptable mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two white mana and one colorless, it’s worth considering that other removal options may offer a lower cost for similar or broader effects. In a game where tempo is crucial, the mana investment for Gideon’s Triumph could be seen as steep for the targeted removal category, potentially slowing down your overall game plan.
Reasons to Include Gideon’s Triumph in Your Collection
Versatility: Gideon’s Triumph serves as a robust defensive option across a variety of decks, particularly those aligned with the white color strategy. Its ability to force an opponent’s creature to meet an untimely end is useful in any game state where board control is key.
Combo Potential: This spell synergizes well with planeswalker Gideon’s presence on the battlefield, ensuring that even if your opponent has an overwhelming force, it can be neutralized effectively. This opens up opportunities for various combos and synergies with your planeswalkers.
Meta-Relevance: As creature-heavy decks frequently populate the meta, having access to removal spells that can handle multiple creatures or bigger threats is invaluable. Gideon’s Triumph fits that role perfectly, providing a strategic advantage against decks that rely heavily on combat and creature dominance.
How to beat
Gideon’s Triumph is an impactful card in the realm of defensive spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its power lies in its ability to dictate the outcome of a battle by forcing an opponent to sacrifice an attacking or blocking creature. What sets it apart is that if you control a Gideon planeswalker, the spell requires an opponent to sacrifice two of those creatures instead. This can be a game-turner in many combat scenarios.
To effectively counteract Gideon’s Triumph, focusing on non-creature strategies can be key. Consider using spells that don’t involve attacking with creatures or ones that can provide your creatures with hexproof or indestructible until the end of the turn. This way, Gideon’s Triumph becomes less threatening. Moreover, utilizing instant-speed removals can be crucial to eliminate potential Gideon planeswalkers before they trigger the card’s additional clause.
Overall, while Gideon’s Triumph can protect planeswalkers and control the battlefield, its influence can be mitigated. Assessing the board, preserving removal resources for key moments, and diversifying your strategies beyond vulnerable creature attacks can ensure that Gideon’s Triumph doesn’t thwart your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gideon's Triumph MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Triumph 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gideon's Triumph 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 Gideon's Triumph 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 | A creature that attacked and was removed from combat (such as by Spires of Orazca) still attacked, so it can be sacrificed. |
| 2019-05-03 | A creature that was put onto the battlefield attacking didn’t attack, so it can’t be sacrificed. |
| 2019-05-03 | Controlling more than one planeswalker of the appropriate type won’t have any more of a benefit than just controlling one. |
| 2019-05-03 | Gideon’s Triumph can be cast after combat damage has been dealt. In this case, the target player chooses one or two creatures that attacked or blocked this turn and have survived combat damage. |
| 2019-05-03 | Gideon’s Triumph can be cast before combat damage has been dealt. In this case, it can be cast before or after blockers have been chosen. |
| 2019-05-03 | Gideon’s Triumph targets the player, not the creature or creatures to be sacrificed. A creature with hexproof may be sacrificed this way. |
| 2019-05-03 | Whether you control an appropriate planeswalker is checked only as the spell resolves. |