Xathrid Gorgon MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 118
2002-06-24 - Number 45205
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Gorgon |
| Abilities | Deathtouch |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides control by petrifying creatures which curbs opponent threats without graveyard buildup.
- Can slow opponent’s tempo, granting you strategic game progression and better resource use.
- Instantaneous deathtouch ability offers flexible responses, potentially altering game outcomes.
Text of card
Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.) , : Put a petrification counter on target creature. It gains defender and becomes a colorless artifact in addition to its other types. Its activated abilities can't be activated. (A creature with defender can't attack.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xathrid Gorgon provides a unique type of card advantage by turning opposing creatures into stone counters. This control ability effectively removes threats from the board without filling your opponent’s graveyard, which can be strategically advantageous in various game scenarios.
Resource Acceleration: Although the card itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can contribute to a smoother gameplay for you by slowing down the opponent’s tempo. This deceleration of opposing forces potentially buys you time to develop your own board presence and use your resources more effectively.
Instant Speed: One of the strengths of Xathrid Gorgon lies in its ability to use its deathtouch granting ability at instant speed. This allows for a dynamic response to threats during both your turn and your opponent’s, providing a level of flexibility and control that can shift the tide of the game if leveraged correctly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Xathrid Gorgon doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, her activated ability necessitates the removal of a resource, specifically a petrification counter, which can be a limiting factor when planning your board strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both black and generic mana, Xathrid Gorgon could restrict deck building to a degree, demanding a particular mana base that supports her inclusion, potentially limiting her versatility in multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana value of seven, Xathrid Gorgon comes with a hefty price tag. In a game where speed can be of the essence, there are instances where lower cost creatures and removal spells could provide more immediate board impact or flexibility in strategic plays.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Xathrid Gorgon brings a unique dynamic to any deck, serving as both a deterrent and a control piece. Its ability to petrify creatures ensures that it can adapt to a wide array of threats, complementing control and midrange decks alike.
Combo Potential: With its deathtouch ability, Xathrid Gorgon pairs well with cards that capitalize on creature death or tap abilities. It can form synergistic combos that lock down the board and pave the way for a strategic win.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames cycle through creature-heavy formats, the Gorgon’s petrifying skill remains perpetually useful. Its presence on the board can disrupt opponent strategies that rely on critical creature synergies or formidable attackers, maintaining its relevance across various MTG metascapes.
How to beat
Xathrid Gorgon is an intriguing creature card in MTG, known for its ability to paralyze opponents’ threats by turning them into stone. One efficient strategy to overcome the Gorgon’s control is through the use of enchantment removal or exile effects. Cards like Oblivion Ring or Path to Exile can neatly bypass the Gorgon’s deathtouch and petrification ability, effectively removing the threat from the board without engaging it directly in combat.
Another tactic is to employ instant-speed removal spells when the Gorgon’s ability is on the stack, which requires careful timing and resource management. A card like Murder or Hero’s Downfall that can destroy the Gorgon before it can use its ability ensures that your creatures remain unscathed. Additionally, cards with hexproof or shroud protect your creatures from being targeted by the Gorgon’s ability, making cards like Swiftfoot Boots or Lightning Greaves advantageous additions to your deck when facing such petrifying creatures.
Ultimately, planning and building a deck with versatile answers ensures you can adapt and respond effectively to threats like the Xathrid Gorgon, maintaining control of the board and preserving your winning strategy.
Cards like Xathrid Gorgon
Xathrid Gorgon is an intriguing creature within the Magic: The Gathering pantheon, especially when compared to other Gorgons in the game. With her ability to petrify opposing creatures, one could draw parallels with cards such as Gaze of Granite, which also provides a sweeping method of neutralizing threats. Unlike Gaze of Granite, however, Xathrid Gorgon targets single creatures, allowing for more strategic plays. Another creature with somewhat related powers is Hythonia the Cruel, who, when monstrified, not only destroys non-Gorgon creatures but does so in a single, sweeping gesture.
Xathrid Gorgon’s powers are less about wholesale destruction and lean towards targeted control, akin to Royal Assassin’s ability to destroy tapped creatures. Both encourage a tactical advance, with Xathrid Gorgon offering a defensive stronghold by turning key attackers or blockers into stone. Yet, Hythonia the Cruel offers a game-ending potential under the right conditions, while Xathrid Gorgon paves the way for more measured and continuous board influence.
Xathrid Gorgon’s blend of control and threat deterrence positions her as a unique card in MTG’s diverse catalog. She isn’t just about one-off removal but rather controlling the flow of the game, turn by turn.
Cards similar to Xathrid Gorgon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xathrid Gorgon MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2013, 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 Xathrid Gorgon 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 Xathrid Gorgon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 45205 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt | ||
| 2 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 118 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xathrid Gorgon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xathrid Gorgon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-01 | The effects of Xathrid Gorgon’s ability don’t depend on the petrification counter. If that counter is removed, the creature remains a colorless artifact with defender, and so on. |
| 2016-06-08 | Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “ -ost: -ffect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text. |
