Gallows Warden MTG Card

Innistrad (ISD)
2011-09-30 - Number 16

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 187

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Power	3
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by potentially enlarging your hand for better strategic plays against opponents.
Accelerates resource availability, enabling quicker threat deployment and heightened game tempo.
Instant speed play grants real-time adaptability to dictate the game’s pace and maximize efficiency.

Text of card

Flying Other Spirit creatures you control get +0/+1.

The spirit cares nothing for the crimes or triumphs of the slain. It shelters all beneath its stormy cloak.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gallows Warden offers a strategic edge by allowing the possibility of bolstering your hand. This can potentially lead to a more robust hand and better responses to an opponent’s moves.

Resource Acceleration: This particular card can provide a game-changing boost by allowing the acceleration of resources. This accelerates your gameplay, enabling you to deploy more threats to the battlefield sooner than normally possible.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Gallows Warden at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react in real-time to your opponent’s actions. This means you can adapt to the evolving state of the game, making it a handy tool for controlling the pace of play and maximizing your turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gallows Warden demands you to discard another card in order to trigger its ability. This can pose a setback when your hand is nearly empty or if you’re holding onto key pieces of your strategy that you’d prefer not to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of both colorless and white mana can be restrictive. Decks that don’t include white mana sources or that have a tight mana base might struggle to cast Gallows Warden consistently, which limits its playability across various archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is expectant on specific mana combinations, it can be considered high for what the card offers compared to other options. In MTG, cards that efficiently maximize mana investment often take precedence, making Gallows Warden a less attractive choice in competitive settings where efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gallows Warden offers flexibility to deck builders being a spirit creature with flying. Its ability to provide both offense and defense makes it a solid choice for decks focusing on aerial superiority or those needing a reliable blocker.

Combo Potential: With its capability to buff other spirit creatures, Gallows Warden slides effortlessly into spirit tribal decks, synergizing with other spirit-focused cards to create powerful board states that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flyers can dominate, Gallows Warden ensures you have a steadfast presence in the skies. Its spirit-boosting ability can turn the tide in creature-heavy matchups, potentially making it a strategic inclusion for your collection.

How to Beat Gallows Warden

Gallows Warden presents itself as a sturdy obstacle with its ability to boost the toughness of other creatures you control in the vibrant world of Magic: The Gathering. The card can often swing the battlefield in your favor, cultivating an increasingly resilient army. Yet, despite its strengths, Gallows Warden is not unbeatable.

To effectively neutralize Gallows Warden, consider employing removal spells that bypass its protective aura. Spells that can exile creatures, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, prove to be formidable tools against such fortified foes. Direct damage spells, provided they deliver enough power to overcome the toughness boost, can also be key in dispatching the Warden and its ward. Additionally, drafting board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, removing the Warden along with the creatures it aims to protect. Always be mindful of the mana commitment these solutions entail as efficient play is crucial in maintaining your own tempo.

Adapting to the Gallows Warden’s game plan is as important as the spells you choose. Forecasting its arrival and saving pertinent spells or keeping sufficient blockers can turn the tides. Overcoming such strategic defenses is what Magic: The Gathering is all about – understanding your adversary, constructing a counter-strategy, and executing it with precision.

Cards like Gallows Warden

Gallows Warden enhances your battlefield presence in MTG with its unique blend of abilities. In comparison, Aven Sentry shares the flying trait, allowing it to soar over ground defenders. Although Aven Sentry doesn’t have the secondary ability to boost other creatures, its straightforward approach in the air makes it a sound choice for decks requiring reliable fliers.

Reminiscent of the sentinel theme, Elite Inquisitor offers another parallel, boasting vigilance alongside first strike rather than flying. While Gallows Warden provides a competitive edge by augmenting the strength of your other creatures, particularly fitting for synergy-focused decks, Elite Inquisitor excels independently, prepped for combat on any front without supporting others.

Considering the strategic diversity they offer, cards like Gallows Warden find their niche in MTG. Its role as an enhancer of creatures aligns perfectly with decks focused on cumulative effects and creature-oriented strategies. This utility is a testament to the warden’s capacity to turn the tide in creature-heavy matchups.

Cards similar to Gallows Warden by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gallows Warden MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Gallows Warden and other MTG cards: