Keepsake Gorgon MTG Card

Strategic removal with Keepsake Gorgon can decisively shift game momentum and control the board. Monstrosity ability offers a power boost, making the Gorgon a considerable threat during combat. Deathtouch deters opponents, acting as a built-in mechanism to influence combat decisions.

Theros (THS)
2013-09-27 - Number 93

Keepsake Gorgon - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
2016-08-26 - Number 141

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Gorgon
Abilities	Deathtouch,Monstrosity
Power	2
Toughness	5

Text of card

Deathtouch : Monstrosity 1. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes monstrous.) When Keepsake Gorgon becomes monstrous, destroy target non-Gorgon creature an opponent controls.

Cards like Keepsake Gorgon

Keepsake Gorgon holds an interesting spot among the creatures with destructive abilities in Magic: The Gathering. Its doppelgänger from the same set, Gorgon Recluse, also belongs to this unique family but lacks the direct ability to destroy another creature. Instead, it features a stronger self-defense mechanism, destructing creatures that dare to deal damage to it. Keepsake Gorgon, with its Monstrosity ability, demands proactive resource investment to annihilate a target creature, offering a strategic advantage on the board.

Visage of Bolas is another creature that poses a tactical choice, providing a search function for a planeswalker to add to your hand, much like the way Keepsake Gorgon allows the elimination of threats on the battlefield. Even though both serve different roles, their impact when played can swing the game. Finally, we have Hydra’s Growth, a card not directly similar but which embodies the essence of growth and scaling threat on the battlefield, just as Keepsake Gorgon grows stronger and more menacing once its Monstrosity is activated.

In the vast array of creatures and enchantments, Keepsake Gorgon earns its place with a blend of board control and strategic depth, making it a card worth considering in decks that crave that control.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keepsake Gorgon allows for strategic removal of your opponent’s threats by destroying a target non-Gorgon creature. This ability can swing the tide of the game, giving you an upper hand in maintaining board control while advancing your position.

Resource Acceleration: The monstrosity ability of Keepsake Gorgon can be a game-changer, providing a significant power boost. This not only enhances your board presence but can lead to faster victories by dominating combat phases with a stronger creature.

Instant Speed: Although Keepsake Gorgon’s abilities are not at instant speed, its deathtouch feature allows it to effectively deter attacks at any point of the game. This inherent ability can offer a pseudo-instant speed impact by forcing your opponent to think twice before engaging in an unfavorable combat scenario.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Keepsake Gorgon necessitates a creature card in your graveyard to utilize its ability, which can be a major setback if your graveyard is not well-stocked.

Specific Mana Cost: With an exacting black mana demand in its casting cost, this card is tailored for mono-black or heavily black-influenced decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of five mana (3 generic and 2 black), the investment needed to summon Keepsake Gorgon is substantial, possibly undercutting your tempo against decks that capitalize on speed or more efficient threats.

Reasons to Include Keepsake Gorgon in Your Collection

Versatility: Keepsake Gorgon offers a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities. Its deathtouch ability means it can act as a deterrent against larger creatures, while its monstrosity ability allows it to become a threat on its own.

Combo Potential: The activation of Keepsake Gorgon’s monstrosity to destroy a non-Gorgon creature plays well with cards that benefit from creatures dying, such as those that trigger morbid abilities or have interactions with the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s creature-heavy, Keepsake Gorgon’s presence on the field can be a game-changer. This card can help control the board state, making it a valuable addition for anyone looking to enhance their midrange or control strategies.

How to beat Keepsake Gorgon

Keepsake Gorgon presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to destroy target non-Gorgon creatures. To outmaneuver this daunting foe, players should focus on strategies that mitigate its deathtouch feature or avoid triggering its monstrous ability. Utilizing cards that offer hexproof or indestructible attributes can safeguard your crucial creatures from becoming targets of the Gorgon’s petrifying gaze.

Another tactic involves leveraging instant-speed removal spells, ensuring the Gorgon is dealt with before its monstrous ability can be activated. Timing is key, as you would want to use these spells when your opponent is low on mana and unable to respond effectively. Additionally, playing aggressive decks that can lower the opponent’s life total before Keepsake Gorgon becomes a significant threat can be a viable strategy, as it pressures the opponent into defensive postures, making their Gorgon investments less optimal.

Lastly, remember to control the battlefield by limiting the number of creatures you have in play. Over committing to the board might leave you vulnerable to a costly monstrous activation, decimating your army with a single ability. By carefully considering your plays and keeping these tactics in mind, you can tilt the scales in your favor against Keepsake Gorgon.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keepsake Gorgon MTG card by a specific set like Theros 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 Keepsake Gorgon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Keepsake Gorgon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2013-09-27	Theros	THS		93	2003	Normal	Black	Aaron Miller
2	2016-08-26	Conspiracy: Take the Crown	CN2		141	2015	Normal	Black	Aaron Miller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keepsake Gorgon has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-15	An ability that triggers when a creature becomes monstrous won't trigger if that creature isn't on the battlefield when its monstrosity ability resolves.
2013-09-15	Monstrous isn't an ability that a creature has. It's just something true about that creature. If the creature stops being a creature or loses its abilities, it will continue to be monstrous.
2013-09-15	Once a creature becomes monstrous, it can't become monstrous again. If the creature is already monstrous when the monstrosity ability resolves, nothing happens.