Lesser Gargadon MTG Card
2000-06-05 - Number 97
2003-07-28 - Number 199
2003-07-28 - Number 199★
2020-09-26 - Number PCY-97
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Whenever Lesser Gargadon attacks or blocks, sacrifice a land.
Trod on by a gargadon —Kipamu expression meaning "wiped out"
Cards like Lesser Gargadon
The realm of red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering boasts an interesting member with Lesser Gargadon. It finds kinship in power and functionality with cards such as Furnace Whelp, another creature that also balances the cost-to-damage ratio effectively. Lesser Gargadon steps up with an intriguing sacrifice ability which gives it a slight upper hand in utility over Furnace Whelp, which lacks a sacrifice mechanic.
Another relative in this domain is the ever-popular Rumbling Slum. While Rumbling Slum provides consistent damage to the opponent each turn, it lacks the element of surprise and strategic depth that comes with Lesser Gargadon’s versatile sacrifice feature. The aspect of sacrificing a creature to grow stronger is unique to Lesser Gargadon in its class, offering a distinct advantage in gameplay situations that call for flexible solutions.
Examining these MTG cards closely, Lesser Gargadon enjoys a special place in red creature decks. It offers an excellent blend of aggressive potential and strategic sacrifice options, setting it apart from its counterparts and securing its position as a card with a solid play value.
Cards similar to Lesser Gargadon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The lesser gargadon offers a reliable way to sift through your deck by sacrificing non-essential permanents, ensuring that you’re drawing into more useful cards and keeping the pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By converting expendable creatures or tokens into a valuable 9/7 body, it effectively turns these assets into a formidable threat, accelerating your board presence while conserving your hand resources.
Instant Speed: Suspended cards like lesser gargadon benefit from the ability to enter the battlefield unexpectedly at instant speed. This allows for strategic plays that can disrupt your opponent’s calculations, especially during their end phase or after an unwary attack.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One possible downside to using Lesser Gargadon is its mechanic that obligates you to sacrifice a creature as part of its suspend cost. This can be a steep price to pay, especially in decks that rely on maintaining a strong board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Lesser Gargadon requires a particular blend of mana to cast, with its cost including both generic and red mana. This specificity can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Lesser Gargadon can be a formidable creature, its mana cost is comparatively high in the current meta. There are other creatures or spells that can provide immediate impact or more cost-effective solutions, which might make players consider options other than Lesser Gargadon for their deck compositions.
Reasons to Include Lesser Gargadon in Your Collection
Versatility: Lesser Gargadon provides flexibility in deck building, fitting comfortably into numerous strategies that capitalize on sacrificial mechanics or need a reliable blocker.
Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations with persist creatures or other cards that benefit from or mitigate the sacrifice tokens, creating opportunities for intricate and powerful synergies.
Meta-Relevance: With various decks looking for sturdy permanents that can also act as a resource, the inclusion of Lesser Gargadon could give players an edge in a meta that rewards adaptability and resourcefulness.
How to beat
The Lesser Gargadon stands its ground in MTG as a formidable card, not least because of its persistent countdown towards a potentially massive creature. This creature card boasts a suspend ability that ticks away with each turn, inching closer to its unleashing onto the battlefield. But facing this behemoth isn’t a lost cause. As with many suspend cards, the key lies in planning and disrupting your opponent’s strategy before the creature makes its grand entrance.
To outmaneuver the Lesser Gargadon, one can use exile effects which target suspended cards, such as “Time to Feed,” thus removing the threat without allowing it to resolve. Additionally, playing control elements like counterspells to deter the Gargadon once the suspend turns have elapsed can save the game. Finally, consider adding cards like “Quick Freeze” to your sideboard – these cards are designed to neutralize threats without directly dealing with them, offering a temporary reprieve and buying valuable time. Timing and precision are paramount when dismantling the looming menace of the Lesser Gargadon.
While it poses a challenge, the Lesser Gargadon can be turned into a bump in the road rather than a roadblock with the right strategy, ensuring your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lesser Gargadon MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy and Eighth Edition, 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 Lesser Gargadon 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Lesser Gargadon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-06-05 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-06-05 | Prophecy | PCY | 97 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 199 | 2003 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 199★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | PCY-97 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lesser Gargadon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |