Gitaxian Anatomist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Wizard |
| Abilities | Proliferate |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 52 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Sam Wolfe Connelly |
Text of card
When Gitaxian Anatomist enters the battlefield, you may tap it. If you do, proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)
An inconsistency in a routine vivisection sparked a revelation about the inner workings of the Orthodoxy's centurions.
Cards like Gitaxian Anatomist
Gitaxian Anatomist enters the realm of Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing creature card with the ability to debilitate foes by turning their creatures into Phyrexian creatures. It reminds advanced players of Cytoplast Manipulator, another card that can manipulate creatures by putting +1/+1 counters on them. While Cytoplast Manipulator takes control of creatures by tapping and doesn’t discriminate against noncreature cards, Gitaxian Anatomist requires two mana and affects the board differently by permanently altering the creature’s type.
Another kin in this functional group is Gilder Bairn, which doubles the number of counters on a permanent. However, Gilder Bairn functions differently by needing to untap to activate its ability, whereas Gitaxian Anatomist provides a more dependable source of Phyrexian metamorphosis at the expense of some mana. Core Prowler is also comparable by proliferating +1/+1 counters but operates at sorcery speed and requires the Prowler to die, making Gitaxian Anatomist a more controlled and repeatable method for the counter strategy.
Comparatively, Gitaxian Anatomist holds a unique place in MTG as a card that can consistently and strategically transform the battlefield, making it a valuable tool for players who enjoy tactical creature manipulation.
Cards similar to Gitaxian Anatomist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the Gitaxian Anatomist, you’re equipped to generate card advantage by utilizing its ability to repeatedly convert creatures into versatile Phyrexian creatures. This can outpace your opponents by providing you with a steady stream of threats without the need to use cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource accelerator, this card synergizes well with others that produce mana or proliferate, allowing you to use its ability more frequently. This can indirectly lead to acceleration by maximizing the use of your available resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to use the Anatomist at instant speed gives you the tactical advantage of waiting for the most opportune moment to transform your creatures. It also allows you to respond effectively to threats or actions from your opponent during their turn, keeping your strategy adaptive and unpredictable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Gitaxian Anatomist comes with a prerequisite of discarding another card. This can be a significant drawback, especially if you’re already dealing with a limited hand, and can quickly deplete your available options.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Gitaxian Anatomist is restrictive, including both blue and phyrexian mana. This can be problematic in multi-colored decks that may not always have the ideal mana composition available, thereby reducing its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When compared to other creatures or spells of similar utility, the Gitaxian Anatomist may come across as less mana-efficient. It commands a mana investment that might be considered steep for its abilities, meaning players may opt for other cards that offer similar functionality for a lower cost.
Reasons to Include Gitaxian Anatomist in Your Collection
Versatility: Gitaxian Anatomist offers flexibility in deck construction. It can seamlessly adapt to various strategies, enhancing control decks or complementing creature-based synergies by leveraging its ability to manipulate +1/+1 counters.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to become a key piece in combo decks. Its ability to proliferate counters can unlock powerful interactions with cards that benefit from an abundance of counters, such as thriving in proliferate or infect builds.
Meta-Relevance: With a shifting MTG landscape, having a card like Gitaxian Anatomist that can counteract creature-centric strategies or strengthen your board presence proves invaluable, making it a tactical asset in adapting to current metagame trends.
How to beat
Gitaxian Anatomist presents a level of tactical advantage for players adept at manipulating creature counters. As a creature that can, for a specific mana and life payment, give a creature an oil counter—which then can be used to tap that creature and prevent it from untapping during its controller’s untap step—it’s a card that could potentially control the battlefield. However, introducing a counter strategy is one way to handle the menace of the Anatomist.
One method to counteract Gitaxian Anatomist’s ability is by utilizing cards that either remove counters or grant your creatures immunity to being targeted. Spells that offer hexproof or shroud can be particularly effective as they prevent the Anatomist from targeting your important creatures. Moreover, employing counter spells when the Anatomist tries to place an oil counter ensures your creatures stay active and untapped. To prepare against such strategical threats, having a range of versatile responses in your deck can be the key to maintain the upper hand and dominate the play.
Overall, Gitaxian Anatomist can be a formidable card, but like all cards in Magic: The Gathering, it has its vulnerabilities. By understanding and preparing for its specific capabilities, a strategic player can neutralize its impact and keep the playing field even.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gitaxian Anatomist MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Gitaxian Anatomist 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 Gitaxian Anatomist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gitaxian Anatomist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | An ability that triggers "Whenever you proliferate" triggers even if you chose no permanents or players while doing so. |
| 2023-02-04 | If a permanent ever has both +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it at the same time, they're removed in pairs as a state-based action so that the permanent has only one of those kinds of counters on it. |
| 2023-02-04 | If a player or permanent has more than one kind of counter on it, and you choose for it to get additional counters, it must get one of each kind of counter it already has. You can't have it get just one kind of counter it already has and not the others. |
| 2023-02-04 | Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it's too late for anyone to respond. |
| 2023-02-04 | To proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can't choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them. |
| 2023-02-04 | You don't have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter, only the ones you want to add another counter to. Since "any number" includes zero, you don't have to choose any permanents at all, and you don't have to choose any players at all. |