Gloom MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 110
1993-10-04 - Number 111
1993-12-01 - Number 111
1993-12-10 - Number 111
1993-12-10 - Number 111
1994-04-01 - Number 113
1994-04-01 - Number 113
1994-06-21 - Number 113
1995-04-01 - Number 139
1995-04-01 - Number 139
1997-03-24 - Number 165
2011-01-10 - Number 83
2022-11-28 - Number 107
2022-11-28 - Number 404
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
White spells cost 3 more mana to cast. Circles of Protection cost 3 more mana to use.
Cards like Gloom
Gloom stands out as a unique enchantment in MTG, with its specific effect of increasing the cost of white spells and abilities. It’s a strategic tool for disrupting your opponents, especially those relying on white mana. Similar disruption can be found in cards like Damping Sphere, which increments the cost of spells for each spell a player has cast during the turn. While it affects all colors indiscriminately, it can hamper strategies centered around casting numerous spells in a single turn.
Another comparable card is Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, which increases the cost of noncreature spells. While Thalia affects all noncreature spells regardless of color, her reach is slightly more general than Gloom’s targeted approach to white spells. Mana Web also parallels Gloom’s disruptive nature by constraining opponents’ mana use, though it does so by restricting the usable mana pool after one land is tapped.
Analyzing the impact of these cards, Gloom’s color-specific tax sets a distinctive niche for itself among MTG’s array of taxing effects. Its ability to single out white-dominated strategies gives it a useful role in certain metagames, contrasting the broader but less targeted applicability of cards like Damping Sphere and Thalia, Guardian of Thraben.
Cards similar to Gloom by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gloom disrupts your opponent’s ability to generate card advantage through white spells and abilities, letting you stay ahead in resources and control the tempo of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While indirectly, Gloom can accelerate your resources by saving you mana that would otherwise be used to counter or deal with costly white spells, effectively fine-tuning your strategy and mana allocation.
Instant Speed: The power of Gloom lies in its permanence once on the battlefield. Though not an instant itself, its continuous effect is akin to having an immediate response to all white spells, deterring opponents from casting them and giving you an ever-present strategic advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gloom demands players to let go of valuable hand cards to manifest its effect. This particular aspect can put you at a disadvantage when your hand size is insufficient or the discarded card is of strategic importance. Careful hand management becomes critical when incorporating Gloom into your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring both black and generic mana in its cost, Gloom necessitates a commitment to the black mana base. This specificity can potentially restrict deck diversity and may not seamlessly integrate into multicolor decks that do not prioritize black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana expenditure to get Gloom on the battlefield is considered steep by many players. With three mana attributed to its casting, including double black mana, other cards might offer similar or reduced disruptive effects at a more economical cost, leading players to opt for alternative control tools.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gloom is an enchantment that thrives in environments where white spells are prevalent. Its ability to hinder opponents’ white spells by increasing their casting cost makes it a strategic asset in multicolored decks or those facing white-heavy opponents.
Combo Potential: In conjunction with cards that specifically penalize or benefit from increased spell costs, Gloom can be a cog in a larger machine. This opens up possibilities for unique and powerful combos within certain deck archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: Should the meta embrace strategies that heavily rely on white spells for control or creature plays, Gloom steps up as a potent countermeasure. It allows you to capitalize on the meta’s tendencies, turning opponent’s strategies to your advantage.
How to beat
Gloom is a unique enchantment in Magic the Gathering that can pose interesting challenges for players fond of white spells. As a card that increases white spell casting costs, Gloom can put a damper on an opponent’s strategy, especially if they rely heavily on white mana. To tackle this card, it’s essential for MTG players to diversify their mana base or implement alternative colored spell options in their deck to mitigate this increased cost.
In MTG, flexibility is key. Including cards that can destroy enchantments or utilizing counterspells to prevent Gloom from hitting the field at all can also be effective strategies. Furthermore, cards with abilities that bypass casting costs can circumnavigate the effects of Gloom, keeping your game plan intact. Managing resources intelligently and having a versatile deck will enable players to outmaneuver the hindrances posed by Gloom and maintain the upper hand throughout their MTG matches.
Ultimately, defeating Gloom requires foresight and adaptability. By having a backup plan and being prepared for potential disruptions to your mana flow, you can ensure that your strategy remains unaffected, allowing you to game on without falling prey to the constraints of Gloom.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gloom MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Gloom 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Gloom Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 110 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 111 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 111 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 111 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 111 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 113 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 113 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 113 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 139 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 139 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 165 | 1997 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 12 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 83 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 404 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gloom has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gloom card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The additional mana is paid at the same time the spell/ability is cast/activated. |
| 2004-10-04 | The extra mana is not considered part of the activation cost. It is a separate cost. |
| 2004-10-04 | The extra mana is part of the total cost, so cost reducers can be applied to this cost. |
| 2016-06-08 | Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “ -ost: -ffect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text. |