Gilt-Leaf Winnower MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 99
2015-07-17 - Number 99s
2020-11-20 - Number 130
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf Warrior |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) When Gilt-Leaf Winnower enters the battlefield, you may destroy target non-Elf creature whose power and toughness aren't equal.
Cards like Gilt-Leaf Winnower
Gilt-Leaf Winnower sets its mark on black card removal options within Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to Nekrataal, another creature that destroys a target creature upon entering the battlefield. Unlike Nekrataal which can only target non-artifact, nonblack creatures, Gilt-Leaf Winnower has fewer restrictions, targeting non-Elf creatures with power and toughness not equal, giving it a broader range of potential targets.
In the same realm, Shriekmaw offers targeted removal packed into an evasive creature body. Shriekmaw’s ability is limited to nonartifact, nonblack creatures, similar to Nekrataal’s restrictions, while Gilt-Leaf Winnower’s unique condition for targeting allows it to bypass many commonly found artifact creatures in the game. Additionally, Gilt-Leaf Winnower benefits from being an Elf, which makes it a suitable choice for tribal synergies within Elf-centric decks.
When we analyze the nuances of creature removal in Magic: The Gathering, Gilt-Leaf Winnower presents itself as a formidable option. Its capability to remove a wide array of threats, paired with its tribal synergy, makes it a noteworthy card for decks leveraging the power of Elves.
Cards similar to Gilt-Leaf Winnower by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gilt-Leaf Winnower allows players to eliminate a threat from the board while maintaining their own presence. By removing a creature with power and toughness not equal, players effectively reduce the number of resources their opponent has, potentially swinging the game in their favor.
Resource Acceleration: While the Gilt-Leaf Winnower itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to deal with specific threats can lead to a more stable board state. A clearer board often means your resources can be channeled into more impactful plays, indirectly setting the pace of the game and leading to potential resource advantages.
Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant, the Gilt-Leaf Winnower’s value lies in its potent enter-the-battlefield effect. This creature can immediately change the dynamics on the board upon being played, mirroring the utility that an instant speed removal could provide during your own turn, creating opportunities for advantageous plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Gilt-Leaf Winnower doesn’t directly require you to discard a card, it’s important to be aware that holding onto such a situational removal card over others can indirectly lead to discarding valuable cards for hand size limits or when choosing what to keep during difficult decisions.
Specific Mana Cost: The Winnower’s casting cost demands a strict commitment to both black and green mana. This specificity can be restricting in multicolor decks or when facing a mana-screw situation where the required colors are not available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana cost split between two colors, some players might find the Gilt-Leaf Winnower to be a hefty investment, especially when other lower-cost options could potentially fulfill a similar role at a reduced mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gilt-Leaf Winnower is a flexible addition to black-based decks, adeptly fitting into both aggressive and control strategies. Its ability to selectively remove creatures while leaving behind a formidable body makes it a utilitarian choice for diverse game scenarios.
Combo Potential: The elf warrior has natural synergy with Elf tribal themes and can be used in tandem with cards that capitalize on creature deaths, such as “Dictate of Erebos” or “Grave Pact”, paving the way for powerful board control combos.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with key creatures featuring power and toughness disparities, Gilt-Leaf Winnower deftly handles prominent threats. Its relevance increases as more decks rely on creatures with impactful abilities that are susceptible to its targeted removal.
How to beat
Gilt-Leaf Winnower is a noteworthy creature card that brings a level of strategy to the battlefield in MTG. With its ability to destroy a non-Elf creature whose power and toughness are not equal, it can be quite the gamechanger. The key to overcoming this card lies in its conditions. It targets creatures based on specific power and toughness criteria, so one way to mitigate its impact is by fostering a deck with creatures that have equal power and toughness. This makes your creatures invulnerable to the Winnower’s ability.
Additionally, keeping instant-speed removal or countermagic in hand is crucial when facing Gilt-Leaf Winnower. Being able to respond to its enter-the-battlefield ability means you can prevent it from eliminating a valuable creature or at least discourage your opponent from playing it preemptively. Also, since the Winnower is itself an Elf, it is susceptible to tribal hate spells or abilities that target Elves specifically, giving you another angle of defense against this potent card.
To sum it up, while the Gilt-Leaf Winnower has the potential to swing a match in your opponent’s favor, strategic deck building and reactive play can effectively neutralize this threat. Consider the composition of your creatures and have the right answers ready to ensure that this elvish assailant doesn’t leave a lasting mark on your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gilt-Leaf Winnower MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Magic Origins 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 Gilt-Leaf Winnower and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Gilt-Leaf Winnower Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 2 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins Promos | PORI | 99s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gilt-Leaf Winnower has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gilt-Leaf Winnower card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | Once an attacking creature with menace is legally blocked by two or more creatures, removing one or more of those blockers from combat won't change or undo that block. |
| 2020-11-10 | The power and toughness of the target non-Elf creature are checked again as Gilt-Leaf Winnower's triggered ability would resolve. If that creature's power and toughness are equal at that time, the ability doesn't resolve. |