Gruul Guildmage MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 144★
2006-02-03 - Number 144
2024-01-12 - Number 189
2002-06-24 - Number 36302
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Gruul Guildmage accelerates resource generation, swiftly building a formidable board presence in your favor.
- Designed for sorcery speed, it encourages proactive play and strategic timing during combat phases.
- While powerful, its specific mana requirements and discard mechanic demand careful deckbuilding and resource management.
Text of card
({R/G} can be paid with either or .) , Sacrifice a land: Gruul Guildmage deals 2 damage to target player or planeswalker. : Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Gruul Guildmage is equipped with abilities that contribute to card advantage by generating tokens or dealing with several treats at once. This dual functionality allows players to remain ahead by maximizing the use of each card.
Resource Acceleration: In the spirit of the Gruul clan, this Guildmage can facilitate resource acceleration by quickly populating the battlefield with creatures. This rapid development can be pivotal in overwhelming opponents early on.
Instant Speed: The Gruul Guildmage operates at sorcery speed with its abilities to fit the MTG meta, which emphasizes strategic planning during one’s own turn. While not providing the reactionary flexibility of instant speed, it demands proactive play and can be unexpectedly potent during the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Relying on the Gruul Guildmage means having to contend with its discard mechanic. This could put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running low on cards. Managing your resources carefully becomes crucial when this card is in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: This guildmage demands a precise mana combination to cast, asking for both red and green. This can be restrictive, limiting the card’s inclusion to specific Gruul-based or multicolored decks that can reliably produce both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Gruul Guildmage offers versatile abilities, the mana investment is significant. There are alternatives in the game that may provide similar benefits or better synergy with your deck at a lower cost, making them potentially more attractive in terms of deck efficiency and strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gruul Guildmage, as a flexible card, can be slotted into a diverse range of decks. Its ability to provide both aggressive and mana-generating options means it can adapt to the ongoing demands of the game.
Combo Potential: This mage offers synergistic possibilities, particularly in decks that leverage its bloodthirst mechanic or capitalize on mana acceleration to deploy large threats prematurely.
Meta-Relevance: With its potential to pressure opponents early and shift gears into bigger plays later, Gruul Guildmage remains a card that can contend within various meta environments. Its presence in your deck ensures adaptability and resilience against a swath of competitive deck types.
How to beat
Gruul Guildmage presents a classic challenge in the arena of Magic The Gathering. This formidable card offers players a way to flexibly deal damage or create token creatures. To tackle this multifaceted Guildmage, players must strategically neutralize its strengths. One effective method is to deploy instant-speed removal spells, which can disrupt plays before the Guildmage’s abilities are activated. Control decks that can consistently remove creatures from the board typically have an upper hand against it.
Moreover, counterplay options like negating the Guildmage’s abilities directly through spells like Negate or employing creatures with reach or flying can effectively block and eliminate the tokens it creates. Additionally, countering creature spells with cards like Essence Scatter when the Guildmage is cast can prevent your opponent from ever leveraging its abilities. It is essential to prevent the Guildmage from gaining momentum and establishing a presence on the battlefield. By taking a proactive approach and using targeted spells or creatures, you can maintain control and overcome the Gruul Guildmage.
Ultimately, overcoming a Gruul Guildmage requires foresight and readiness to act at a moment’s notice. By utilizing efficient removal or control strategies, players can fend off the threats posed by this versatile card and maintain dominance in the game.
Cards like Gruul Guildmage
Gruul Guildmage stands as an intriguing option for players looking to bolster their creature strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other two-cost creatures that offer versatile abilities, such as Azorius Guildmage, which similarly has two activated abilities but leans towards control by countering spells or tapping creatures.
Contrasting it with Rakdos Guildmage, we see distinctive guild features come into play. While Rakdos Guildmage leans more towards a direct damage and discard playstyle, Gruul Guildmage focuses on enhancing creature combat with its ability to facilitate trample, thereby embracing the Gruul clan’s signature aggression and battle readiness. Selesnya Guildmage also enters the conversation with its creature token generation and life gain, providing a different approach to mid-game dominance.
Ultimately, within the space of multicolored Guildmages, each offers a unique toolkit that aligns with their respective guild philosophies. Gruul Guildmage, in particular, excels in aggressive strategies that aim to capitalize on creature strengths and turn the tide of battle swiftly in their favor.
Cards similar to Gruul Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gruul Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Guildpact 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 Gruul Guildmage 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 Gruul Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36302 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | ||
| 2 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact Promos | PGPT | 144★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 3 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 144 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 4 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gruul Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
