Gatekeeper Gargoyle MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Gargoyle
Abilities	Flying
Released	2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Guilds of Ravnica
Set code	GRN
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	235
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Paquette

Key Takeaways

Gatekeeper Gargoyle scales in power based on the number of Gates, providing a dynamic threat on the board.
It synergizes with Gate decks, enhancing the value and utility of each land played.
The card’s utility extends beyond size, affecting instant-speed plays with its potential power.

Text of card

Flying Gatekeeper Gargoyle enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each Gate you control.

Each night it visits a different guildgate around the city, digging its talons into fresh stone.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gatekeeper Gargoyle enters the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters on it, equivalent to the number of Gates you control. This mana-efficient creature can swing the balance of a game as it often enters as a sizeable threat without costing you an extra card.

Resource Acceleration: By synergizing with a Gates deck, this artifact creature complements your strategy of ramping up resources. As gates themselves aid in mana fixing and acceleration, Gatekeeper Gargoyle thrives in an environment rich in these types of lands.

Instant Speed: While Gatekeeper Gargoyle itself does not operate at instant speed, its presence on the board can affect instant-speed decisions. Knowing you have a potentially large flyer can influence when to play instant-speed removals or buffs, factoring into your broader game strategy with an ever-growing threat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Gatekeeper Gargoyle can offer a substantial presence on the battlefield, it necessitates discarding a card to achieve its full potential. This can be particularly problematic when your hand is already depleting, and you’re in dire need of maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck-building flexibility takes a hit with Gatekeeper Gargoyle’s specific mana cost. This artifact creature requires a particular blend of mana to cast, which could be a stumbling block for multicolored decks not centered around artifacts or lacking in mana fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher side, Gatekeeper Gargoyle may lag behind in a game where tempo plays a critical role. Its summoning cost does not always equate to an immediate game impact, especially when faster, more cost-effective creatures or defensive options are available within the format.

Reasons to Include Gatekeeper Gargoyle in Your Collection

Versatility: Gatekeeper Gargoyle arrives with a flexibility that’s hard to ignore. Its ability to adapt its power and toughness based on the number of artifacts or enchantments you control makes it a valuable addition to a range of deck themes from casual to competitive play.

Combo Potential: This card shines in artifact-centric strategies, potentially becoming a powerhouse when combined with cards that multiply or manipulate artifacts on the battlefield. It’s not just about size; it’s about how the Gargoyle interacts with synergistic pieces to unlock powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifacts are frequent, Gatekeeper Gargoyle will often enter the battlefield as a formidable threat. As decks in various formats utilize artifacts for their engines, including this gargoyle could give you that extra edge to stay relevant and competitive.

How to beat

Gatekeeper Gargoyle presents itself as a unique challenge on the battlefield, serving as a versatile artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to enter the game with a +1/+1 counter for each Gate you control, it can quickly become a hefty flyer. Nonetheless, there are strategies to handle this winged threat efficiently.

Utilizing removal spells that bypass the Gargoyle’s potentially high toughness is a wise approach. Cards like Murder, which can destroy a creature regardless of its size, or enchantment-based removal like Imprisoned in the Moon, which can neutralize the Gargoyle without destroying it, are excellent choices. Additionally, countering it before it hits the battlefield with spells like Counterspell can prevent it from becoming an issue in the first place.

Also, playing aggressive decks that can win before your opponent’s gates significantly boost the Gargoyle’s power, or using board wipes like Wrath of God to reset the field, can prove to be effective methods. Remember, the key is to either prevent Gatekeeper Gargoyle from leveraging its gate synergy or to deal with it directly through targeted removal or broader board control tactics.

Cards like Gatekeeper Gargoyle

Gatekeeper Gargoyle presents a unique dynamic to the artifact creature pool in Magic: The Gathering. When paralleled with other artifact creatures, such as Guardian Idol, the differences become noticeable. Guardian Idol enters the battlefield as a non-creature artifact, but can become a 2/2 creature at a later stage, whereas Gatekeeper Gargoyle arrives ready to flex its flying feature depending on the number of gates you control.

Investigating further in the realm of artifact creatures, we encounter the likes of Gilded Sentinel, which also offers a 4/4 body. However, Gatekeeper Gargoyle’s potential for an ever-increasing power and toughness gives it an edge in the late game. A comparable card, Watchers of the Dead, provides an exile utility, showing how artifact creatures can vary widely in their utility and strategic value.

Comparing these artifacts shows the strategic versatility they offer to players. While some may prioritize static abilities or enter-the-battlefield effects, Gatekeeper Gargoyle’s scaling power offers a different appeal that rewards those investing in a gate-heavy deck composition.

Watchers of the Dead - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gatekeeper Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gatekeeper Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Gatekeeper Gargoyle and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gatekeeper Gargoyle 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
Timeless	Legal