Gavony Trapper MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 22
2022-01-28 - Number 22
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Gavony Trapper provides indirect card advantage by manipulating combat and safeguarding key creatures.
- Its ability to tap creatures at no extra mana cost compliments instant speed strategies effectively.
- Though versatile, its specific mana needs and higher casting cost may limit its playability.
Text of card
, : Tap target creature.
The elite cathars of the Parish-Blades train in all manner of techniques designed to delay and frustrate the beasts that hunt the crossways.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gavony Trapper may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability to tap an opponent’s creature can indirectly lead to card advantage by enabling your creatures to get through for damage or by protecting your own creatures from being traded off in combat.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce additional mana or Treasure tokens, Gavony Trapper can be considered a form of resource acceleration in the sense that it effectively ‘speeds up’ your board presence by neutralizing potential blockers or threats each turn without additional mana investment.
Instant Speed: Despite Gavony Trapper operating at sorcery speed, it still plays well with instant speed strategies. Holding mana for instants while having Trapper on the board may pressure opponents into playing around unknown variables, particularly during combat, which can be a subtle yet powerful form of resource control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Gavony Trapper requires precise planning as it may force you to discard valuable cards to fulfill its conditions, which could deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Gavony Trapper demands a specific mana arrangement to cast, which could be restrictive for decks that aren’t aligned with its color identity, potentially affecting the card’s versatility across different deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Gavony Trapper offers utility, its higher mana cost in comparison to other cards with similar functionality might put it at a disadvantage when constructing a mana-efficient deck, especially in the early game where each mana point is crucial.
Reasons to Include Gavony Trapper in Your Collection
Versatility: Gavony Trapper stands out for its ability to blend into a variety of decks. Its tap ability allows you to control blockers or attackers during combat, making it an asset in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: As a Human Soldier, Gavony Trapper synergizes with decks that capitalize on tribal bonuses. Its ability to tap creatures can be combined with other cards that benefit from creatures becoming tapped or unusable by your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: Its low casting cost and utility ability make it relevant in a meta that’s inclined towards tempo plays. Gavony Trapper can be a critical piece in disrupting opponent’s plans and pacing the game to your favor, especially in Human-centric or control decks.
How to beat
Gavony Trapper is a card that often flies under the radar in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. At the core, it’s a utility creature that can tap another target creature. This can be irritating, especially for players relying on big, singular threats to dominate the board. Overcoming this persistent roadblock requires strategy and patience.
Consider using removal spells that can dispatch the Trapper before it becomes a nuisance. Direct damage spells or quick, targeted removals like Shock or Fatal Push are effective and efficient. Additionally, if your deck allows for it, enchantment-based creature removal can neutralize the Trapper without triggering effects that occur upon death.
In multiplayer games, sometimes the best strategy is diplomacy. Convincing your opponents that the Trapper’s controller is a mutual threat can shift focus and resources away from your creatures. In summary, addressing the Gavony Trapper’s ability to manipulate combat demands preemptive actions, be it through removal, broad-sweep board clears, or tactical alliances.
Cards like Gavony Trapper
Gavony Trapper is a unique piece in the tapestry of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Standing out amongst other one-mana creatures, this particular card comes with the ability to tap a target creature. This utility often draws parallels to the function of cards like Giant Killer. Although Giant Killer has the added advantage of being able to destroy a larger creature for additional mana, the Trapper’s simple tap ability can be used without delay.
Comparatively, Law-Rune Enforcer shares a similar tap mechanic, but it places a restriction on the creatures it can target based on their power. Gavony Trapper does not share this limitation, providing a much more flexible option for players. Yet another comparable card in this discussion could be Master Decoy, which, like Gavony Trapper, taps a creature but at the cost of two mana instead of one.
Featuring the valuable tapping ability at a low cost, Gavony Trapper is adeptly suited for strategies that seek to control opponents’ powerful creatures from the onset. It edges out in terms of versatility and economic gameplay, marking it as a favorable choice amongst its tapping creature card counterparts.
Cards similar to Gavony Trapper by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gavony Trapper MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Gavony Trapper 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 Gavony Trapper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Caio Monteiro.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Caio Monteiro | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Caio Monteiro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gavony Trapper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
