Griselbrand MTG Card
2007-02-24 - Number 2015
2012-04-28 - Number 106
2012-05-04 - Number 106
2017-03-17 - Number 72
2023-03-21 - Number 31
2002-06-24 - Number 55727
2019-12-02 - Number 160
2019-12-02 - Number 160★
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Demon |
| Abilities | Flying,Lifelink |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Flying, lifelink Pay 7 life: Draw seven cards.
"Avacyn emerged from the broken Helvault, but her freedom came at a price—him." —Thalia, Knight-Cathar
Cards like Griselbrand
The mythic aura surrounding Griselbrand captures the attention of many players, offering a unique blend of abilities not commonly found on other MTG cards. A comparable demon is Razaketh, the Foulblooded, which also boasts a formidable presence and a powerful tutor ability. However, unlike Razaketh’s requirement of sacrificing another creature, Griselbrand allows players to draw seven cards at the mere cost of 7 life, setting a rapid pace of resource advantage without board sacrifices.
Another peer in the realm of fearsome flyers is Vilis, Broker of Blood. While Vilis allows for card draw whenever life is lost, its ability hinges directly on life payment for card draw and removal of opponent’s creatures, whereas Griselbrand provides a significant draw batch all at once. This empowers the player to potentially change the game’s direction in a single turn. Though both offer significant raw power, the immediate card advantage provided by Griselbrand could be seen as having an enhanced strategic benefit during gameplay.
When compared within their niche of powerful demons in MTG, Griselbrand’s singular capacity to alter the game’s momentum with his draw ability arguably gives him a coveted status among high-impact creatures, particularly in formats where he is legal and life totals can be leveraged as a resource.
Cards similar to Griselbrand by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Griselbrand. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Goryo's Vengeance | Modern | Goryo's Vengeance | Modern Qualifier 2024-05-01 |
 | Reanimator | Legacy | Reanimator | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-05-01 |
 | WUBG | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05 | |
 | Omni-Tell | Legacy | Omni-Tell | Legacy League 2024-05-04 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Griselbrand is renowned for its exceptional ability to provide card advantage. Once on the battlefield, paying 7 life to draw 7 cards creates a formidable presence that can quickly overwhelm opponents with new options and strategies on each turn.
Resource Acceleration: Although Griselbrand itself doesn’t produce mana or tokens, the massive influx of cards drawn gives you access to numerous lands and mana-producing spells. This can accelerate your resources significantly, as you’re more likely to draw into what you need to cast high-impact spells sooner.
Instant Speed: While Griselbrand’s abilities can’t be used at instant speed, the threat of activation during any player’s turn creates a constant pressure on your opponents. This feature keeps them guessing and forces them to consider the risk of you drawing into an answer or game-ending combo at virtually any moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the hurdles when incorporating Griselbrand into play involves the initial need to have a card to discard. This can lead to a strategic disadvantage, particularly in situations where your hand is already depleted, making it harder to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Griselbrand’s casting cost is extremely specific—seven black mana—making it a challenging card to summon outside mono-black or heavily black-focused decks. This requirement can reduce the flexibility in deck construction and necessitate heavy investment in both mana production and color fixing to ensure that he can be played consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Griselbrand is undoubtedly a powerful creature, his high mana cost of eight can be prohibitive. Even in formats that thrive on late-game plays, having a card of this cost can slow down your deck’s performance, especially when compared to other creatures or spells that could provide more immediate impact on the game for less mana.
Reasons to Include Griselbrand in Your Collection
Versatility: Griselbrand’s ability to provide lifelink and substantial card draw is an advantage in a variety of deck archetypes. Whether you’re playing control or combo, this legendary creature can be a formidable addition to your lineup.
Combo Potential: The seven-card draw ability of Griselbrand can be the linchpin in setting up powerful combos, ensuring you find the pieces you need at critical moments. With enough life, this can be repeated various times, potentially drawing you into a winning position.
Meta-Relevance: In games that often swing between aggressive bouts and strategic standstills, Griselbrand holds its own. The card’s relevance is sustained by its sheer power and the immediate threat it poses when hitting the table, demanding an answer from opponents and reshaping the battlefield dynamics.
How to beat
The Griselbrand card commands respect in matches, offering a combination of high power, life gain, and card draw that can overwhelm opponents in Magic: The Gathering. With its daunting 7/7 stats and the ability to pay 7 life to draw seven cards, Griselbrand can be the centerpiece of a player’s winning strategy. Overcoming this formidable demon requires a well-devised approach.
Controlling Griselbrand usually hinges on preventing it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Counter spells are your first line of defense, with cards like “Counterspell” or “Mana Leak” being effective tools in blue decks. Should Griselbrand make it to the battlefield, one must swiftly eliminate or incapacitate it. Cards enabling targeted removal such as “Path to Exile” or “Terminate” can send Griselbrand away before its abilities wreak havoc. Alternatively, using enchantments like “Pacifism” could neutralize its power without triggering any on-death effects.
Winning against a Griselbrand deck often means disrupting the opponent’s plays and maintaining pressure. Efficient card management and a robust defense ensure that even if Griselbrand is drawn, its impact on the game is considerably lessened or entirely negated.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Griselbrand MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Grand Prix Promos, 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 Griselbrand 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 Griselbrand Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2007-02-24 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55727 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | ||
| 2 | 2007-02-24 | Grand Prix Promos | PGPX | 2015 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 3 | 2012-04-28 | Open the Helvault | PHEL | 106 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 4 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 106 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 5 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 6 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 160 | 2015 | Normal | Black | ZIUK | ||
| 7 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 160★ | 2015 | Normal | Black | ZIUK | ||
| 8 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 31 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Griselbrand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Banned |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Banned |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Griselbrand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | You can’t activate Griselbrand’s ability if you have 6 or less life. |