Gomazoa MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 46
2011-06-17 - Number 48
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Jellyfish |
| Abilities | Defender,Flying |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Defender, flying : Put Gomazoa and each creature it's blocking on top of their owners' libraries, then those players shuffle their libraries.
To explorers, "point man" is a polite way of saying "gomazoa fodder."
Cards like Gomazoa
Gomazoa offers a defensive edge in Magic: The Gathering, showcasing abilities that are mirrored by a few other creatures in the game. Like Gomazoa, Wall of Frost is a card designed to protect its controller by deterring attacks; when it blocks a creature, that creature doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step. While Wall of Frost doesn’t provide the bounce-back effect of Gomazoa, it stands as a sturdy option for defense-oriented blue decks.
Another creature that interacts with attacking mechanics is Guard Gomazoa, a relative of our titular card. Guard Gomazoa provides a straightforward defensive option, never taking combat damage. While it lacks Gomazoa’s ability to return attacking creatures to the owner’s hand, it ensures survivability during combat. Then, there’s Man-o’-War, a jellyfish that instead of blocking, bounces an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield. This creates a tempo swing but requires a different strategic use compared to Gomazoa’s defensive combat trick.
In analyzing these alternatives, Gomazoa’s role is unique in providing a form of combat control not often seen in MTG, making it a tactical choice for players keen on a control strategy that can disrupt an opponent’s offense.
Cards similar to Gomazoa by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Gomazoa, you can effectively neutralize an opponent’s threat without having to use multiple cards. This jellyfish’s ability to return creatures to their owners’ hands can swing the game in your favor by depleting your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own card count.
Resource Acceleration: By resetting evolved creatures or those with counters, Gomazoa can also offer a subtle form of resource acceleration. It allows you to reuse certain ‘enters the battlefield’ effects of your own creatures or annul the progress an opponent has made in building up their board, indirectly accelerating your position in the game.
Instant Speed: Gomazoa’s ability functions at instant speed, providing flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn. This capacity allows you to optimally use your mana each round, keeping your options open to respond to threats as they emerge and before your opponent can capitalize on them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Gomazoa does not directly demand discarding cards, the necessity to continually leave mana open for its ability can feel similar to a discard requirement. If you are unable to use your mana efficiently due to the need to activate Gomazoa’s ability, it may disrupt your game plan and curtail your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Gomazoa requires one blue mana in its casting cost which means it fits exclusively into blue or multicolored decks. This specific mana requirement could be restrictive for those who prefer not to play blue or who play formats with a more stringent mana base, such as limited or mono-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Gomazoa is on the higher end for a defensive creature. Cards like “Fog Bank” offer a similar defensive function for less mana, which might make Gomazoa less preferable for players aiming to optimize their mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gomazoa offers a unique role in defense within blue decks, excelling at deterring attacks with its jellyfish prowess. Its ability to bounce creatures back to the deck adds a layer of control that can integrate seamlessly into various strategies.
Combo Potential: Its tap ability synergizes with cards designed to untap creatures, allowing Gomazoa to potentially neutralize multiple threats in a single turn. This versatility enables a range of powerful combinations in both casual and competitive play.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy strategies often dominating the battlefield, Gomazoa can be highly effective. It’s particularly relevant against decks that rely on combat tricks or buffs to deliver lethal damage, as it can consistently remove key attackers from combat.
How to beat
Gomazoa presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, often stonewalling aggressive strategies with its ability to “jellyfish” attackers back into the owner’s library. To edge out this bizarre creature, it’s crucial to preempt its activation. Instant-speed removal spells are incredibly effective before the creature’s ability can be triggered. Tools like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can unceremoniously remove it from the field without letting it bounce anything to your deck.
Another strategy involves leveraging effects that bypass Gomazoa’s defensive mechanism. Cards that provide mass removal, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, allow you to clear the board without needing to engage in combat. Additionally, using abilities or spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can neutrally navigate around Gomazoa’s return-to-library ability, minimising its impact on your game plan.
Creative tactics can also come into play. Engaging in combat with creatures that have beneficial enter-the-battlefield or leave-the-battlefield effects turns Gomazoa’s ability into a disadvantage for your opponent. Thus, rather than being a nuisance, Gomazoa becomes an unwitting contributor to your strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gomazoa MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Commander 2011, 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 Gomazoa 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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Printings
The Gomazoa Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2011-06-17. Illustrated by Chippy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 46 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 48 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gomazoa has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gomazoa card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Gomazoa’s ability can be activated any time its controller has priority. It doesn’t need to be blocking any creatures. |
| 2009-10-01 | If Gomazoa isn’t blocking a creature at the time its ability resolves, only Gomazoa is put on top of its owner’s library, and only that player shuffles their library. |