Grond, the Gatebreaker MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 540
2023-06-23 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Artifact — Vehicle |
| Abilities | Crew,Trample |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- Grond offers card advantage and can shift the game’s dynamics significantly in your favor.
- It accelerates resources, fitting well in creature-focused decks for overwhelming strategies.
- Though powerful, Grond’s specific mana requirements may limit deck versatility and tempo.
Text of card
Trample As long as it's your turn and you control an Army, Grond, the Gatebreaker is an artifact creature. Crew 3 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 3 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Grond, the Gatebreaker presents an excellent opportunity to dominate the battlefield through its potential for generating card advantage. By offering a creature with a sturdy presence, it can force opponents to trade multiple resources in an attempt to deal with it, tipping the scales in your favor over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful card can act as a catalyst for resource acceleration within deck designs that capitalize on powerful creatures. Its reasonable mana cost relative to its substantial impact can lead to a game state where you’re able to deploy further threats at a pace that your opponent simply can’t match, thereby accelerating your resource deployment and overall board development.
Instant Speed: While Grond, the Gatebreaker doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, its entry into the battlefield can significantly alter the pace and decisions within a game, demanding instant-speed responses from opponents. Additionally, decks that accommodate such formidable creatures are often equipped with instant-speed spells to protect them, creating a strategic layer that works in tandem with Grond’s game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To bring Grond, the Gatebreaker into play, you need to discard another card, potentially depleting valuable hand assets. This can be especially challenging when your hand is already struggling to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Grond requires a precise configuration of mana to cast—demanding both colorless and green sources. This particular mana distribution can present issues in multicolored decks that may not consistently produce the required types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Grond is substantial. While the behemoth’s stats are formidable, the cost of entry could impede your tempo, especially in games where speed is crucial. Alternative creatures or spells might provide a more immediate impact or versatility for the same or lower mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Grond, the Gatebreaker offers flexibility in multiple MTG formats. Its ability to deal substantial damage makes it a powerful addition to any deck that focuses on aggressive creature strategies. Its formidable presence on the battlefield can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with abilities that trigger on creatures dealing combat damage or entering the battlefield. It amplifies strategies that revolve around dealing massive damage in a single blow, paving the way for exciting and game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: Given its considerable impact and resilience, Grond, the Gatebreaker stands as a solid choice in a meta that prizes powerful standalone threats. In an environment where players aim to outmuscle each other with potent creatures, Grond can often ensure your deck has the upper hand.
How to beat Grond, the Gatebreaker
Dealing with Grond, the Gatebreaker on the battlefield can be a formidable challenge for many players. This robust creature demands a strategic response due to its imposing presence and potential for game-changing impacts. Consider utilizing exile effects, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, which can effectively remove Grond from play without triggering any potential leave-the-battlefield abilities.
Control spells like Counterspell or Negate are also key ways to prevent Grond from ever hitting the board, thereby eliminating the threat before it can materialize. For those in the red zone, damage-dealing spells with enough power like Roast or spells that deal damage to multiple creatures, like Blasphemous Act, can be used to manage Grond through direct removal.
It’s also wise to monitor the mana your opponent has available. Since Grond requires a hefty investment to cast, disrupting your opponent’s mana base could delay or prevent them from summoning this powerhouse. Land destruction or counter ramp strategies become critical in this regard. Consider tactics that remove resources or limit the ability to produce the mana necessary for casting such a demanding creature.
Cards like Grond, the Gatebreaker
Grond, the Gatebreaker, introduces a unique dynamic to creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It displays similarities to giants, such as Hamletback Goliath, which also grow in power as you play the game. Grond stands out with its potential to drastically overpower opponents’ defenses, much like Hamletback Goliath, both thriving in an environment replete with creatures to feed their mechanic.
Comparable too is Pathbreaker Ibex, which scales in power with the strength of other creatures you control. Unlike Grond, Pathbreaker offers a group benefit, providing a considerable surge to your entire army’s might. Where Grond, the Gatebreaker excels is in its individual ability to decimate your opponent’s board single-handedly, unleashing damage that can be tough to prevent without specific counters.
Through examining these analogs, it becomes apparent that Grond, the Gatebreaker carries its weight within MTG creatures that have the potential to escalate in power, presenting a formidable threat all on its own. Players looking for that game-changing behemoth to challenge their adversary’s defense will find Grond a compelling addition to their deck arsenal.
Cards similar to Grond, the Gatebreaker by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Grond, the Gatebreaker MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Grond, the Gatebreaker and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Grond, the Gatebreaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Ramazan Kazaliev.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 540 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ramazan Kazaliev | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ramazan Kazaliev |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Grond, the Gatebreaker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |