Gorilla Warrior MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 168
1998-10-12 - Number 256
1999-07-01 - Number 128
1999-11-12 - Number 30
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ape Warrior |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Cards like Gorilla Warrior
The Gorilla Warrior card presents an interesting option for players looking to bolster their creature lineup in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a straightforward card, reminiscent of other vanilla creatures, such as the Hill Giant. Both cards share a common theme – simplicity and direct creature power. Gorilla Warrior stands out due to its green mana affiliation, allowing for an inclusive design in green-focused decks or multicolored setups seeking robust creatures.
In a similar context, the Balduvian Bears, although not as powerful, offer a lower mana cost for deck builders who prefer early game presence over sheer creature size. Yet, the lack of trample or additional abilities can make it less impactful than the Gorilla Warrior in the later stages of the game. We also have the Craw Wurm which comes with a higher mana cost but boasts imposing power and toughness, making it a significant late-game threat that can overshadow the Gorilla Warrior’s presence on the battlefield.
Ultimately, the Gorilla Warrior holds its ground among comparable MTG cards, offering a balanced mix of cost and power. It’s a solid choice for players championing decks that benefit from a vanilla yet formidable creature presence.
Cards similar to Gorilla Warrior by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Gorilla Warrior itself may not directly allow you to draw cards, it’s a solid creature to have in play. In a deck designed around tribal synergies, having a cohesive unit like Gorilla Warrior could enable other card advantages such as buffs or card draws through tribal-specific spells or abilities.
Resource Acceleration: Gorilla Warrior’s cost-efficient stat line makes it a potent play early in the game. It doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, but its presence can help you maintain a board state without spending additional resources, allowing for better allocation of mana in the later stages of the game.
Instant Speed: While Gorilla Warrior does not have flash and cannot be played at instant speed, it’s important in any deck to have a strong base of creatures. Deploying Gorilla Warrior during your main phase can be a strategic move that sets you up for future plays, especially if you have instant-speed interactions in hand to complement its board presence.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A drawback for the Gorilla Warrior card is the potential need to discard another card to enable certain synergies or abilities. This can leave you at a disadvantage in the game if you’re already running short on cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Gorilla Warrior comes with a color-specific mana cost that could restrict its integration into a varied deck. This sometimes causes a bottleneck if the deck’s mana base isn’t properly aligned to accommodate green mana requirements or if the player is aiming for a multicolored strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Gorilla Warrior isn’t the most costly creature on the board, its mana value relative to its combat stats and lack of intrinsic abilities may be seen by some players as a less economical choice when building an efficient deck that aims to maximize value per mana spent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gorilla Warrior’s straightforward cost to power ratio makes it a solid choice for a variety of green decks that appreciate no-nonsense creatures, particularly in casual and pauper formats.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this creature can be a key component in combinations that exploit its creature type or use green’s propensity for buffs and creature-focused synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where straightforward beatdown tactics are effective, Gorilla Warrior’s simplicity and decent size for its mana cost can be great to apply early pressure or hold the line against aggressive opponents.
How to beat
Gorilla Warrior stands as a solid creature in the green mana MTG card lineup. With its straightforward and robust stats, it presents itself as a dependable combatant on the battlefield. However, as ground-based muscle, Gorilla Warrior has limitations that can be exploited. Players can typically outmaneuver it by using flying creatures, leaving it literally unable to touch its airborne attackers. Tactical control spells that change combat math or outright remove creatures from play can also be highly effective. Cards with bounce abilities to return the Gorilla Warrior to its owner’s hand disrupt field presence and tempo.
Ensnaring enchantments work well too. Since Gorilla Warrior doesn’t have built-in protection or evasion, getting it tangled up in a Pacifism or Claustrophobia can neutralize the threat without needing to permanently deal with it. Moreover, Gorilla Warrior is susceptible to mass removal spells; anything that can sweep the board clean will take care of this simian soldier with ease.
Opponents can outclass Gorilla Warrior by placing larger, more potent creatures on the board. In a world where green is known for its colossal beasts, the Gorilla Warrior faces stiff competition and can be readily overcome by mightier entities that dominate through sheer power or offer additional utility beyond mere strength.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gorilla Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Urza's Saga, 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 Gorilla Warrior 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 Gorilla Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 1999-11-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 168 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson | |
| 2 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 256 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Steve White | |
| 3 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 128 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson | |
| 4 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 30 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gorilla Warrior has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |