Gollum, Obsessed Stalker MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Legendary Creature — Halfling Horror |
Abilities | Skulk |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Skulk At the beginning of your end step, each opponent dealt combat damage this game by a creature named Gollum, Obsessed Stalker loses life equal to the amount of life you gained this turn.
He hated the Ring and loved it, as he hated and loved himself.
Cards like Gollum, Obsessed Stalker
Gollum Obsessed Stalker introduces an intriguing dynamic in creature control within Magic: The Gathering. When scrutinized alongside similar disruption cards like Thoughtseize, there’s a notable disruption twist. Thoughtseize allows for hand disruption upon cast, while Gollum Obsessed Stalker’s ability operates from the battlefield, presenting a persistent threat to opponents’ strategies.
Another card in the fray is Kitesail Freebooter which, in a sense, mirrors Gollum Obsessed Stalker by disrupting an opponent’s hand once it enters the battlefield. While Freebooter affects nonland cards for a temporary period, Gollum Obsessed Stalker continuously threatens card advantage by forcing discards at sustained intervals.Then you have the Hypnotic Specter, a classic that marries the concept of creature presence with a discard mechanic, all contingent upon dealing combat damage. In contrast, Gollum Obsessed Stalker relies not on combat but on maintaining its place on the board, altering the approach to controlling opponents’ plays.
Surveying these comparisons, Gollum Obsessed Stalker carves out its unique niche within Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of pressure and advantage that can prove pivotal in matches centered around hand disruption and control.
Cards similar to Gollum, Obsessed Stalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gollum Obsessed Stalker excels in securing a card advantage by permitting you to snag an opponent’s creature and potentially dispatch it without a trade-off. This ensures you stay ahead in terms of resources on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to temporarily acquire an enemy creature can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while accelerating your own. Deploying the stolen creature for a pivotal attack or utilizing it for other synergistic effects in your deck keeps you at the forefront of the mana curve.
Instant Speed: The real kicker comes from the Gollum Obsessed Stalker’s instant speed interaction. This characteristic allows you to react nimbly to the ever-changing state of play, using it when your adversary least expects, giving you the upper hand during critical phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players must discard another card to cast Gollum Obsessed Stalker, proving to be a setback when your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of this card includes color-specific requirements that may not align with multicolored or colorless strategies, restricting deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Gollum Obsessed Stalker brings an intriguing dynamic to gameplay, the mana investment is substantial compared to other options that could be more impactful for the same or lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gollum Obsessed Stalker offers a flexible approach to deck building. Its unique effect brings a dynamic edge to strategies aiming to manipulate both players’ hands, making it a valuable asset in various deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with discard mechanics and effects that capitalize on having fewer cards than opponents. Its inclusion can empower combos and intricately woven game plans that thrive on information denial and resource disruption.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where hand advantage is crucial, Gollum Obsessed Stalker helps level the playing field. Its relevance grows in metagames where control and hand disruption are key to victory, making it a potentially impactful sideboard card or even a main deck consideration for the right strategy.
How to beat
Gollum Obsessed Stalker adds an intriguing dynamic to the battlefield, much like infamous creatures from Magic: The Gathering’s vast compendium. With its ability to potentially lock down an opponent’s key creature, this card demands immediate attention. It shares similarities with cards like Pacifism, as it applies a form of control without removing the creature from play. Yet it distinguishes itself with the stalker’s relentless following effect, restricting even creatures that move out of the battlefield’s frontline.
Counteracting Gollum Obsessed Stalker’s effect requires strategic play. Utilizing removal spells to dispatch the stalker is a straightforward approach. Cards such as Murder or Path to Exile can handle the task efficiently. Alternatively, eclipsing the stalker’s influence with your own enchantment removal spells will free your creatures from its grasp. Popular choices for this purpose include Disenchant or Naturalize, which swiftly neutralize enchantment-based threats.
Playing around Gollum Obsessed Stalker means being adaptable and proactive, ensuring your key creatures remain unimpeded while keeping removal tools at the ready. Successfully countering this persistent menace is a testament to tactical prowess on the MTG battlefield.
BurnMana Recommendations
Dive deeper into the MTG realm where strategic deck building is key and cards like Gollum Obsessed Stalker can be a game-changer. Leveraging card advantage and resource acceleration can shift the tide of battles in your favor. Comprehending the subtleties of card interplay and positioning yourself advantageously in the mana curve are essential. Whether you’re disrupting opponent’s strategies or searching for that unique card to round out your collection, knowledge is your best asset. Ready to enhance your tactics and deck prowess? Let us guide you through mastering MTG intricacies for an optimized gameplay experience. Venture further with us and transform each duel into a triumphant conquest.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gollum, Obsessed Stalker MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Gollum, Obsessed Stalker and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Gollum, Obsessed Stalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by John Di Giovanni.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 428 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Di Giovanni | |
2 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Di Giovanni | |
3 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Di Giovanni |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gollum, Obsessed Stalker has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gollum, Obsessed Stalker 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 | Gollum, Obsessed Stalker's last ability counts players who were dealt combat damage by any creature named Gollum, Obsessed Stalker. It doesn't matter who controlled those creatures. |
2023-06-16 | Gollum, Obsessed Stalker's last ability counts the total amount of life you gained without taking into account any life you lost during that turn. For example, if you gained 3 life and lost 3 life earlier in the turn, each opponent dealt combat damage this game by a creature named Gollum, Obsessed Stalker loses 3 life. |