Combustible Gearhulk MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities First strike,Mill
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Combustible Gearhulk excels in card advantage and can offer strategic flexibility in gameplay, enhancing deck performance.
  2. However, it may result in card disadvantage and is restricted by mana requirements which could limit deck diversity.
  3. Despite drawbacks, its sheer force combined with combo and meta relevance make it a must-have for MTG collections.

Text of card

First strike When Combustible Gearhulk enters the battlefield, target opponent may have you draw three cards. If the player doesn't, put the top three cards of your library into your graveyard, then Combustible Gearhulk deals damage to that player equal to the total converted mana cost of those cards.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Combustible Gearhulk can potentially draw massive card advantage through its enter-the-battlefield (ETB) ability, where it either deals damage to an opponent or lets you draw cards equal to that damage.

Resource Acceleration: While this artifact creature doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it presents a significant threat that can force opponents to allow the card draw, potentially accelerating your game plan with the additional options it provides.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the Gearhulk can trigger its impactful ETB ability during your opponent’s turn if reanimated or blinked at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility in line with instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Combustible Gearhulk doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, it can inadvertently lead to card disadvantage. If an opponent chooses to let you draw cards equal to the total converted mana cost of the top three cards of your library, a poor reveal could result in minimal gain, effectively diminishing your deck’s resources by wasting high-impact cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact creature comes with a specific mana requirement that includes double red, potentially limiting its integration into multicolored decks. Players will need a mana base heavily skewed to accommodate red mana sources, which can constrain deck building options and overall strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Combustible Gearhulk faces competition from other high-impact six mana value plays within MTG. Despite its potential for damage or card advantage, there might be more efficient alternatives for the same or lower mana cost, allowing for faster or more consistent deck performance.


Reasons to Include Combustible Gearhulk in Your Collection

Versatility: Combustible Gearhulk is a flexible powerhouse, easily slotting into a variety of red-based decks. Its role as both a finisher and a value engine allows for strategic plays across multiple archetypes, from control to reanimator strategies.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergy-rich environments, capable of interacting with numerous graveyard manipulation strategies or artifact-centric combos. Its ability to potentially draw cards or deal damage adds layers of strategy depending on the build of the deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where big creatures can dominate, Combustible Gearhulk stands out. Its potential for immediate impact on the game state makes it a relevant choice, capable of swinging matches in your favor against various opponent strategies.


How to Beat Combustible Gearhulk

Overcoming a Combustible Gearhulk on the battlefield requires strategic finesse as it poses multiple threats upon entry. In essence, the Gearhulk is a two-edged sword because of its ability to either deal direct damage or provide card advantage to the opponent when it enters play. The key is minimizing the impact of either outcome. One efficient tactic is to employ instant speed removal before the opponent can choose the Gearhulk’s ability target, effectively neutralizing its enter-the-battlefield trigger.

Another effective method involves countermagic. Allowing a Combustible Gearhulk to resolve but countering the triggered ability leaves your opponent with a mere 6/6 body, a challenge, but manageable within the MTG landscape. Graveyard manipulation also serves as an answer; cards such as Leyline of the Void or Rest in Peace negate the Gearhulk’s damaging potential by preventing the opponent from accessing their graveyard, which in turn, renders the potential for a heavy blow much more benign. These strategies can turn this towering artifact creature into a manageable nuisance rather than a game-ending threat.

Adapting to your opponent’s plays and wisely choosing your moments to strike are central to successfully countering a card with the potency of Combustible Gearhulk. While impressively powerful, it is far from unbeatable if approached with a considered plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

As an MTG enthusiast, recognizing how to optimize your deck with powerful cards like Combustible Gearhulk is vital for victory. Appreciating this card’s ability to either draw cards or inflict damage can pivot the tide of battle in your favor. With strategic deck-building and gameplay, unlock the potential to make every match a showcase of skill and cunning. Dive deeper into the intricacies of MTG and learn how to synergize Combustible Gearhulk with your deck effectively. Enhance your collection, refine your strategies, and discover new ways to claim dominance at the table. Connect with us to explore more insights and advance your gameplay.


Cards like Combustible Gearhulk

Combustible Gearhulk serves as a formidable presence in any red deck within Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other powerful artifact creatures like Wurmcoil Engine. Like the Gearhulk, Wurmcoil brings a significant body to the board and has resilience with its death-triggered tokens, yet it lacks the direct damage potential that Combustible Gearhulk provides. The Gearhulk’s ability to either deal damage based on the top cards of your library or allow you to draw those cards gives it an edge in versatility.

Moving onto Inferno Titan, it shares the same mana cost as Combustible Gearhulk and can immediately impact the board by dealing damage when it enters the battlefield or attacks. However, Inferno Titan’s damage distribution is controlled by the player, unlike the somewhat unpredictable nature of the Gearhulk’s reveal mechanic. Lastly, there’s Bosh, Iron Golem, which can repeatedly turn any artifact into direct damage, providing a similar effect to the Gearhulk’s one-time explosive entrance.

The analysis of Combustible Gearhulk among its peers highlights its unique niche in MTG. Its blend of sizable threat, card advantage, and potential for immediate impact via its enter-the-battlefield ability can turn the tide of games, securing its place as an impactful choice in red strategies.

Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Inferno Titan - MTG Card versions
Bosh, Iron Golem - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - Scars of Mirrodin Promos (PSOM)
Inferno Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)
Bosh, Iron Golem - Mirrodin (MRD)

Cards similar to Combustible Gearhulk by color, type and mana cost

Ruin Grinder - MTG Card versions
Artificer's Dragon - MTG Card versions
Moltensteel Dragon - MTG Card versions
Embercleave - MTG Card versions
Meteoric Mace - MTG Card versions
Ironhoof Boar - MTG Card versions
Caldera Breaker - MTG Card versions
Ruin Grinder - Commander 2021 (C21)
Artificer's Dragon - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Moltensteel Dragon - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Embercleave - The List (PLST)
Meteoric Mace - Commander Masters (CMM)
Ironhoof Boar - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Caldera Breaker - Alchemy: Ixalan (YLCI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Combustible Gearhulk MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh 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 Combustible Gearhulk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Combustible Gearhulk Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1122015normalblackDaarken
22016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 112p2015normalblackDaarken
32016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 42015normalblackGreg Opalinski
42016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 112s2015normalblackDaarken
52020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-1122015normalblackDaarken
62020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1202015normalblackDaarken
72021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1632015normalblackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Combustible Gearhulk has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Combustible Gearhulk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2016-09-20 If any of the cards put into your graveyard have in their mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2016-09-20 If you have fewer than three cards in your library, the opponent may choose to have you draw three cards. If so, you'll lose the game as state-based actions are performed.
2016-09-20 While Combustible Gearhulk's triggered ability is resolving, no player may take any actions other than those specified by the Gearhulk. Once the opponent makes a choice, players can't cast spells or activate abilities until after the cards are drawn or put into the graveyard and damage has been dealt (if applicable).

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