Lumengrid Gargoyle MTG Card

It offers card advantage by demanding multiple answers from opponents, strengthening board control. Indirectly promotes resource acceleration by encouraging decks to include mana ramping tools. Combines well with instant speed cards to maintain threat and reactiveness in gameplay.

Lumengrid Gargoyle - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
2011-02-04 - Number 112

Lumengrid Gargoyle - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)

Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)
2011-05-14 - Number 18

Lumengrid Gargoyle - Commander Legends (CMR)

Commander Legends (CMR)
2020-11-20 - Number 321

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Gargoyle
Abilities	Flying
Power	4
Toughness	4

Text of card

Flying

"Anything that watches without sleep and fights without fear is a valuable ally against the Phyrexians." —Kara Vrist, Neurok agent

Cards like Lumengrid Gargoyle

Lumengrid Gargoyle takes its place among the mana-intensive artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is easily seen with cards such as Colossus of Akros. Both are artifact creatures famed for their imposing stature, yet they vary in utility. The Colossus of Akros, when monstrosity is activated, towers over with indestructible and becomes a significant threat. Lumengrid Gargoyle, without such abilities, relies on a steady aerial assault.

Comparable in their flying trait, we can look to Guardian of the Ages. Initially, it’s a defensive giant. However, as soon as it’s provoked, the Guardian transforms into an offensive powerhouse. Although Lumengrid Gargoyle doesn’t gain attack strength in this manner, it remains a consistent flier from the moment it hits the board. Then there’s Spire Golem, which shares the aerial aspect and comes at a potentially lower cost due to Affinity for Islands. Despite its lower power level, this golem has an edge in decks heavy with Islands.

Ultimately, in a direct comparison of artifact creatures providing sizeable presence in the air, Lumengrid Gargoyle holds its own, especially in environments where the mana curve is less of a concern and a 4/4 flying body can dominate the skies.

Guardian of the Ages - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lumengrid Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lumengrid Gargoyle brings an immense presence to the battlefield. As a high-power flyer, it often requires two or more cards from your opponent to handle, giving you an upper hand in terms of board presence and card economy. While it might not directly allow you to draw cards, securing its position on the board often equates to a form of card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The Gargoyle itself might not directly contribute to ramping or resource acceleration in the traditional sense. However, with its six mana cost, it encourages players to include mana rocks or other ramp tools in their deck, indirectly influencing the deck’s resource acceleration strategy to ensure its timely deployment and maintain a steady pace with other heavy hitters in the game.

Instant Speed: Even though Lumengrid Gargoyle operates at sorcery speed, incorporating it in a deck with cards that can interact or be played at instant speed can complement its role. The Gargoyle can apply pressure during your turn while instant speed cards in your arsenal keep your options open, reacting to threats or opportunities accordingly and efficiently during your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Lumengrid Gargoyle does not require a discard upon casting, but when evaluating this card’s drawbacks it’s essential to consider the trade-offs within your hand. If the Gargoyle is slotted into a deck that needs to maintain a steady stream of cards, it might compete with resources better suited for other plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact creature comes with a specific mana cost that necessitates six mana, of which at least one must be blue. This may not be conveniently accessible for all types of decks, especially in the early game when mana resources are more critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of six mana makes the Lumengrid Gargoyle a card that might strain your mana curve, especially considering its power and toughness. There are more cost-effective creatures available that could be played earlier or offer additional abilities that further justify their mana requirements.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lumengrid Gargoyle offers a robust presence on the battlefield for a variety of deck builds, particularly those needing strong blockers or finishers. Its steadfastness in both aggressive and defensive roles makes it a reliable choice across multiple game situations.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Lumengrid Gargoyle plays well with strategies that revolve around artifact synergies. It can serve as a formidable asset in combos, benefiting from artifact buffs, and enabling improvisation which allows you to cast spells for less by tapping unused artifacts.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing landscape of the metagame, a card like Lumengrid Gargoyle can adapt and hold its own. For decks looking to maintain a strong board state against the prevalent removal spells, its 6 mana cost and inherent sturdiness give it a measure of resilience that can be quite impactful.

How to beat Lumengrid Gargoyle

Lumengrid Gargoyle presents itself as a formidable flying artifact creature on the battlefield. Its resilience due to its 4/4 stats can be a stumbling block for players facing it. To overcome this obstacle, effective removal spells are a player’s best friend. Unholy Heat does a stellar job, boasting the ability to deal 6 damage if there are enough cards in the graveyard to achieve delirium. Go for the Throat is another efficient option, being able to destroy a nonartifact creature for a minimal investment.

On the other hand, counterspells come in handy before it hits the field. A well-timed Counterspell or Negate can prevent the Gargoyle from even taking flight. Moreover, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize this airborne threat without removing it, effectively grounding it and rendering its abilities moot. Lastly, considering the cost of casting the Gargoyle, ramp decks can simply outpace it, deploying threats that are both larger and more impactful earlier in the game, thereby overshadowing the once-menacing Gargoyle.

In summary, while Lumengrid Gargoyle may seem daunting at first glance, a strategic approach employing removal, counters, or even evasion can smoothly navigate around this soaring sentry, ensuring that players maintain control of the skies and the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lumengrid Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia, 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 Lumengrid Gargoyle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lumengrid Gargoyle Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Randis Albion.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-02-04	Mirrodin Besieged	MBS	112	2003	Normal	Black	Randis Albion
2	2011-05-14	Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia	TD2	18	2003	Normal	Black	Randis Albion
3	2020-11-20	Commander Legends	CMR	321	2015	Normal	Black	Randis Albion

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lumengrid Gargoyle has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal