Gruul Beastmaster MTG Card

Boosts battle presence by empowering creatures, effectively achieving card advantage and improved combat outcomes. Ramps up resource acceleration through synergetic interactions, fostering earlier, high-impact plays. Forces opponents to play inefficiently by posing a constant, formidable threat on the battlefield.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Shaman
Abilities	Riot
Released	2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica Allegiance
Set code	RNA
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	129
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kimonas Theodossiou

Text of card

Riot (This creature enters the battlefield with your choice of a +1/+1 counter or haste.) Whenever Gruul Beastmaster attacks, another target creature you control gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is Gruul Beastmaster's power.

Cards like Gruul Beastmaster

Exploring the depths of creature buffs in MTG, Gruul Beastmaster presents itself as an intriguing option for players. With similarities to renowned cards like Goblin Piledriver, which accrues power as more goblins enter the battlefield, Gruul Beastmaster offers a different kind of strength. While Goblin Piledriver specifically aids goblin-based decks, Gruul Beastmaster broadens the spectrum, buffing itself whenever another creature with greater power is present on the field, granting flexibility across various creature-heavy strategies.

Another card that echoes this theme is the Wild Beastmaster, which, upon attacking, grants bonus power and toughness to other creatures you control equal to its own power. The difference lies in the distribution of power; while Wild Beastmaster shares its strength in a more communal manner, Gruul Beastmaster focuses on self-empowerment. Additionally, the Surrak, the Hunt Caller stands out in this space by providing creatures with haste, though not giving a direct power bonus, it enables faster, more aggressive play.

When evaluating these options, Gruul Beastmaster not only holds its ground but also carves out its niche within the creature buff category in MTG. Its versatility and potential for massive power increases make it a contender worth considering in creature-focused decks.

Surrak, the Hunt Caller - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gruul Beastmaster might not draw you cards directly, but when it hits the battlefield, it has the potential to give you an upper hand by buffing your creatures. This, in turn, can lead to increased card effectiveness and potential two-for-ones in combat, aligning with the concept of card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: In the spirit of Gruul’s philosophy, the Gruul Beastmaster does more than just empower creatures. Its synergy with other cards that capitalize on creature strength can ramp up your resource acceleration, enabling bigger and more impactful plays earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: Although the Gruul Beastmaster itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its influence on the battlefield encourages a style of play that maximizes the use of instant-speed spells. The threat of an empowered creature can force opponents to act prematurely or inefficiently, an indirect consequence of this creature’s battlefield presence.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gruul Beastmaster comes with the necessity to discard a card to activate its key abilities. This precondition can be restrictive when your hand is running low on cards and you’re trying to maintain a strong board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The Gruul Beastmaster demands a particular combination of mana colors, including both red and green. This can sometimes be challenging for players to manage, especially in decks that are not fully optimized for a Gruul mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its high mana cost, Gruul Beastmaster might not always be the most mana-efficient creature for its size. Players may find that other creatures or spells at a similar cost offer more immediate impact or versatility on the game.

Reasons to Include Gruul Beastmaster in Your Collection

Versatility: Gruul Beastmaster’s ability to grant a substantial power boost during combat makes it a flexible addition to decks seeking to amplify their offensive capabilities. It thrives in varied playstyles that focus on creature-based aggression.

Combo Potential: The Beastmaster pairs well with cards that benefit from creatures having high power, enabling explosive turns and synergizes with mechanics like trample to push through significant damage.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to turn even the smallest creatures into significant threats, the Gruul Beastmaster holds its own in a meta that values board presence and creature-based strategies, making it a timely choice for dynamic and creature-centric gameplay.

How to beat

The Gruul Beastmaster presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield, bringing a unique dynamic to creature-based combat strategies. As a card that thrives on empowering others through its notable power-boost aura, the domino effect it creates can often tip the scale in your opponent’s favor during matches.

To effectively neutralize the impact of the Gruul Beastmaster, timing and strategic removal are key. Implementing instant-speed removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dismantle the looming threat before its ability triggers. It’s also wise to manage the board and keep creature counts low, inhibiting the Beastmaster’s influence. Alternatively, employing countermeasures like essence scatter to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place, can save you from a multitude of aggressive onslaughts.

It’s essential to anticipate and counteract the ripple effect caused by the Beastmaster’s power-sharing. By staying one step ahead with foresight and well-timed interventions, one can erode its potential for overwhelming synergy and maintain control of the game’s tempo. Ensuring the Gruul Beastmaster doesn’t assert its dominance is a vital part of securing victory in any match where it makes an appearance.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gruul Beastmaster MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Gruul Beastmaster and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gruul Beastmaster has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gruul Beastmaster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-01-25	If Gruul Beastmaster leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield to determine the value of X.
2019-01-25	If Gruul Beastmaster’s power is negative as its triggered ability resolves, X is considered to be 0. In other words, that ability can’t cause the creature to lose power.
2019-01-25	If a creature entering the battlefield has riot but can’t have a +1/+1 counter put onto it, it gains haste.
2019-01-25	If you choose for the creature to gain haste, it gains haste indefinitely. It won’t lose it as the turn ends or as another player gains control of it.
2019-01-25	Riot is a replacement effect. Players can’t respond to your choice of +1/+1 counter or haste, and they can’t take actions while the creature is on the battlefield without one or the other.
2019-01-25	The value of X is determined only as Gruul Beastmaster’s triggered ability resolves. Once that happens, the value of X won’t change later in the turn even if Gruul Beastmaster’s power changes.