Guul Draz Specter MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 92
2016-08-26 - Number 137
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Specter |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying Guul Draz Specter gets +3/+3 as long as an opponent has no cards in hand. Whenever Guul Draz Specter deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card.
Cards like Guul Draz Specter
Guul Draz Specter, a creature card in the world of Magic the Gathering, shares some similarities with other notorious specter cards. A standout comparison is with Hypnotic Specter, a card with a lower casting cost and a similar ability to force the opponent to discard a card upon dealing damage to them. While Guul Draz Specter requires an opponent to have no cards in hand to gain flying, Hypnotic Specter has this ability inherently, giving it a boost in evasion right from the start.
Another comparable specter is Liliana’s Specter. While costing one less mana, it causes an opponent to discard a card when it enters the battlefield rather than on dealing damage. This difference allows for immediate impact on the board state unlike Guul Draz Specter which requires a successful attack. However, Guul Draz Specter’s potential power increase when an opponent is empty-handed can lead to a more aggressive pressure in late game scenarios.
Highlighting these dynamic specters showcases the strategic depth within the rogues’ gallery of Magic the Gathering, where each card provides unique advantages based on the situation at hand. Guul Draz Specter, with its conditional abilities, offers players both a tool for resource denial and a finisher for weakened opponents.
Cards similar to Guul Draz Specter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Guul Draz Specter hits an opponent, it forces that player to discard a card, thereby disrupting their hand while possibly padding your own with their resources through its ability to grow stronger with your opponents’ empty hand. This creates a significant advantage by diminishing your foe’s options and boosting your threat on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Guul Draz Specter grants a subtle form of resource acceleration. By consistently attacking your opponent’s resources—specifically their hand—you’re indirectly accelerating your board position compared to theirs. Each discarded card is potential mana or strategy lost for them, which translates to a faster path to victory for you.
Instant Speed: While Guul Draz Specter itself is not an instant, it benefits from being played in a deck with instant-speed interactions. This flying menace rewards you for keeping your opponent’s hand empty. By playing instants on your opponent’s turn to disrupt their hand before the Specter attacks, you can ensure it grows in power and remains an oppressive force on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Guul Draz Specter requires that your opponent has one or fewer cards in hand to fully utilize its capabilities. This condition can limit the card’s effectiveness, especially in the early game when opponents are likely to have more cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Guul Draz Specter demands a certain blend of mana to cast – one black and two generic mana. This can sometimes be restrictive and demands a consistent mana base specifically tailored for black mana sources, potentially limiting the deck-building options for multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 flyer that only starts having an impact under specific circumstances, Guul Draz Specter might be considered mana-intensive. There are other creatures in MTG that may offer better stats or more immediate board presence for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Guul Draz Specter in Your Collection
Versatility: Guul Draz Specter can effortlessly slide into a variety of black-based strategies. Whether you’re piloting an aggressive deck that benefits from early pressure or a control setup that appreciates evasive threats, this specter can serve multiple roles effectively.
Combo Potential: This specter thrives in environments where discarding cards is beneficial. Pair it with cards that penalize your opponent when they discard or those that reward you for having fewer cards in your hand to unleash its full potential.
Meta-Relevance: Versatile removal and hand disruption often shape the heart of competitive formats. Guul Draz Specter adds value in such metas by applying consistent pressure and chipping away at your opponent’s hand, making it a relevant choice for matchups that require both combat prowess and strategic depletion of resources.
How to beat Guul Draz Specter
The Guul Draz Specter is an interesting card that thrives on an opponent’s reduced hand size to unlock its fullest potential and become a flying menace. To effectively neutralize the specter’s advantage, maintaining a healthy hand size is key. Cards that enable you to draw more, such as “Harmonize” or “Sign in Blood,” can be valuable assets in keeping your hand full and making the specter less of a threat.
Additionally, removal spells play a crucial role. Since the specter requires an opponent to have one or no cards in hand to gain its abilities, instant-speed removal like “Path to Exile” or “Fatal Push” can address the threat directly before it gets out of control. It’s best to employ these spells when the opponent is tapped out or when you’re certain they lack counter magic to ensure the specter’s departure from the battlefield.
Lastly, watch out for discard strategies. Cards such as “Thoughtseize” or “Inquisition of Kozilek” can disrupt your game plan. In such matchups, prioritize cards that can be used from the graveyard or those that have a recurring effect to mitigate the loss of resources. Weather the initial storm, and the specter’s impact will be significantly reduced.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guul Draz Specter MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Guul Draz Specter 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 Guul Draz Specter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 92 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guul Draz Specter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |