Gimli, Mournful Avenger MTG Card


Gimli provides strong card draw potential by dealing excess damage to creatures during combat. The card’s Treasure token generation accelerates mana resources, enhancing spellcasting abilities. Instant-speed spells can complement Gimli’s combat abilities for unexpected battlefield advantages.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Dwarf Warrior
Abilities Fight
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Gimli, Mournful Avenger has indestructible as long as two or more creatures died under your control this turn. Whenever another creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Gimli. When this ability resolves for the third time this turn, Gimli fights up to one target creature you don't control.


Cards like Gimli, Mournful Avenger

Gimli, Mournful Avenger enters the battlefield as a compelling figure among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities echo traits found in cards like Anax, Hardened in the Forge, which also shares a strength in protecting and empowering your board presence through creating tokens upon death. What sets Gimli, Mournful Avenger apart, however, is its unique blend of dwarf and warrior synergies, alongside its ability to grant indestructible to another creature until end of turn.

Looking towards Tuktuk the Explorer, we find another card that leaves behind a token when it dies. Tuktuk, however, creates a single, larger token rather than multiple smaller ones, suggesting a slightly different strategic use compared to the more swarm-oriented Gimli. Then there’s Hallowed Spiritkeeper, which exudes similarity with its death-trigger token generation. Yet, Hallowed Spiritkeeper’s effect scales with the number of creatures in your graveyard, a variance that could be either a limitation or a boon depending on the game state.

Thus, when considering Gimli, Mournful Avenger in the pantheon of creature cards, it stands out with its versatile defensive capabilities and the potentially game-swinging mechanic of generating multiple tokens. Its intricate design and strategic depth certainly carve a unique spot for it among Magic: The Gathering’s creature roster.

Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Spiritkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Spiritkeeper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gimli, Mournful Avenger by color, type and mana cost

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Verduran Emissary - MTG Card versions
Viashino Grappler - MTG Card versions
Hunting Kavu - MTG Card versions
Lithatog - MTG Card versions
Svella, Ice Shaper - MTG Card versions
Feral Animist - MTG Card versions
Wilderness Elemental - MTG Card versions
Boggart Ram-Gang - MTG Card versions
Tattermunge Duo - MTG Card versions
Godtracker of Jund - MTG Card versions
Daybreak Ranger // Nightfall Predator - MTG Card versions
Fanatic of Xenagos - MTG Card versions
Ulrich's Kindred - MTG Card versions
Relentless Hunter - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gimli, Mournful Avenger offers players a unique opportunity to potentially draw multiple cards. This occurs when Gimli deals excess damage to creatures, allowing a significant cycling of cards and maintaining a full grip of options to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to generate Treasure tokens equal to the excess damage dealt not only ramps up your mana resources but also broadens your color accessibility. Such acceleration can be crucial for deploying high-cost threats earlier in the game or for complex turns where multiple spells could be the pathway to victory.

Instant Speed: While Gimli, Mournful Avenger himself operates at sorcery speed, his capabilities synergize well with your instant-speed interactions. Should you have abilities or spells that can increase his power or provide double strike at instant speed, the potential for card draw and resource generation becomes a powerful surprise during combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players contemplating adding Gimli, Mournful Avenger to their rotation, one should consider the discard element tied to utilizing its full potential. Activating certain abilities of this card necessitates the sacrifice of another card, presenting a strain on your hand, especially when your resources are dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Constructing your deck to accommodate Gimli, Mournful Avenger efficiently calls for a precise blend of mana. This card’s casting cost requires not just any mana, but a particular assembly that can complicate your strategy if your deck isn’t tailored to such specifications.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the mana expenditure against the benefits it brings to the battlefield, Gimli, Mournful Avenger comes at a steep expense. The investment to summon this card is considerable and players must gauge whether its battlefield presence justifies a slot that could otherwise be allocated to more cost-effective creatures or spells.


Reasons to Include Gimli, Mournful Avenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Gimli, Mournful Avenger offers a flexible role in a variety of deck archetypes. Whether you’re aiming for aggressive assault or a more defensive stance, Gimli’s skillset scales well throughout the game.

Combo Potential: With abilities that can synchronize with various card interactions, Gimli naturally lends himself to powerful combinations. From pairing with cards that benefit from creature sacrifices to those enhancing Dwarf and Warrior synergies, he has the potential to unlock new levels of play.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that evolves with each tournament, a card like Gimli, Mournful Avenger remains a formidable force in the everchanging metagame. His abilities hold their own against prevalent strategies, making him a wise choice for players looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

Gimli, Mournful Avenger is a card that commands respect on the battlefield. When facing off against this formidable foe in Magic: The Gathering, it’s crucial to utilize the right strategies. Key to overcoming Gimli’s influence is to preemptively manage the board state. Considering Gimli’s power in combat, removal spells are essential. Instant-speed options like Murderous Rider or Heartless Act can deal with Gimli efficiently before his abilities become a problem. Moreover, exile effects are incredibly potent as they bypass any potential from graveyard recursion, which is often prevalent in decks that run Gimli.

Another angle to consider is to limit the gains from Gimli’s death-triggered abilities. This can be achieved through cards like Grafdigger’s Cage or Tormod’s Crypt that restrict graveyard interactions. Negating the creature synergy through enchantments such as Rest in Peace can also be extremely effective. With these tricks up your sleeve, Gimli’s impact can be significantly diminished. Always keep in mind the threat of a sudden resurgence; thus, maintaining control of the board with constant pressure and disruption remains pivotal when combating the strength of Gimli, Mournful Avenger in your Magic: The Gathering duels.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gimli, Mournful Avenger MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Gimli, Mournful Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gimli, Mournful Avenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 6602015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4362015NormalBorderlessTyler Jacobson
32023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 2092015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
42023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 209s2015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
52023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 3232015NormalBorderlessMarko Manev
62023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 8152015NormalBorderlessMarko Manev

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gimli, Mournful Avenger has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 Gimli, Mournful Avenger doesn't need to have been on the battlefield when creatures died under your control for the first ability to count them. For example, if two creatures you control die during combat on your turn and you cast Gimli, Mournful Avenger during your second main phase, it will have indestructible until end of turn.
2023-06-16 You don't choose a target for Gimli, Mournful Avenger's last ability at the time it triggers. Rather, a second "reflexive" ability triggers when its last ability resolves for the third time in a turn. You may choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal.