Ghirapur Gearcrafter MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Artificer
Released	2015-07-17
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Origins
Set code	ORI
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	149
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Victor Adame Minguez

Key Takeaways

Provides extra value with a Thopter token, aiding in board presence and synergy in artifact-oriented decks.
Demands specific mana but accelerates resource options, crucial for strategy execution and tempo.
Amid similar cards, the Gearcrafter’s cost-efficient token creation stands out for artifact-based plays.

Text of card

When Ghirapur Gearcrafter enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield. (A creature with flying can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

The metal must be pure. The hand must be steady. The product must be perfect.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghirapur Gearcrafter delivers value beyond just the creature itself by creating a Thopter token upon entering the battlefield. This addition to your flying force can be vital, particularly for decks that thrive on having multiple creatures on the board to execute key strategies or capitalize on synergies.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ghirapur Gearcrafter is not a direct source of mana acceleration, the ability to put more than one creature on the battlefield with a single card inherently speeds up your development. The Thopter token can contribute to convoking costs or be sacrificed for various effects, effectively accelerating your resource options.

Instant Speed: While Ghirapur Gearcrafter itself does not operate at instant speed, the token it creates is often a welcome blocker that appears just in time for the next combat phase. This can disrupt opponents’ calculations and allow you to preserve other, more valuable creatures for offensive moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ghirapur Gearcrafter does not directly require a discard to play, which keeps your hand intact. This is a benefit, not a con, as maintaining card advantage is crucial in many games.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghirapur Gearcrafter demands a specific combination of mana — two colorless and one red. This cost structure necessitates a dedicated source of red mana, potentially limiting deck versatility or causing delays in other color-dominated decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana for a 2/1 creature and a 1/1 token may seem reasonable, but when stacked against other cards within the same cost bracket, the overall value of Ghirapur Gearcrafter may appear diminished. Deck builders often weigh it against other three-mana options that could potentially offer greater impact on the game’s progression.

Reasons to Include Ghirapur Gearcrafter in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghirapur Gearcrafter offers a dynamic presence on the battlefield, as it seamlessly integrates into artifact-centric or red aggro decks. The moment it enters the play, it generates a Thopter token which can be vital for both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, enabling synergistic plays with artifact-loving cards like “Ensoul Artifact” or “Shrapnel Blast”. The 1/1 flying Thopter token can be a key part of intricate combos or simply increment your artifact count for an “Atog” sacrifice.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where players value creatures that offer immediate board impact, Ghirapur Gearcrafter provides exactly that. Not only does it establish presence by itself, but it also brings an aerial token into play, perfect for outmaneuvering ground-based strategies that dominate certain metagames.

How to Beat Ghirapur Gearcrafter

Ghirapur Gearcrafter is a known entity in the MTG realm for its ability to bring an additional Thopter token into play upon casting. Distinctly, it offers value beyond just a 2/1 creature body, establishing a presence in the air as well. This dual threat can be a notch above single creatures with similar mana costs.

Addressing Gearcrafter effectively involves targeting the tokens it generates as well as the card itself. Cards like Electrickery or Ratchet Bomb can be instrumental, removing multiple tokens with one spell and leveling the playing field. Removal spells also serve us well by dealing with the Gearcrafter directly, ideally before the token generation triggers. Instant-speed interaction can manage the Gearcrafter on the opponent’s turn, thereby maintaining tempo and board control.

In sum, countering Ghirapur Gearcrafter’s value hinges on timely spell casting and strategic removals. Addressing both the Gearcrafter and its tokens swiftly can mitigate the card’s impact and keep you a step ahead in the game, ensuring that the Gearcrafter’s mechanical mastery doesn’t outpace your strategic gameplay.

Cards like Ghirapur Gearcrafter

Ghirapur Gearcrafter is an intriguing component in the red creature pool within Magic: The Gathering, occupying a niche similar to other creature cards that also bring additional artifacts into play. An interesting comparison can be drawn with Pia and Kiran Nalaar, both of which create Thopter tokens upon entering the battlefield. While the Gearcrafter offers a singular Thopter token for a lower mana investment, Pia and Kiran Nalaar provide two tokens but demand an additional two colorless mana to cast.

Looking at Whirler Rogue, another card within the artificer spectrum, we see a higher mana cost compared to Ghirapur Gearcrafter but with the advantage of bringing two token creatures and granting the ability to make a creature unblockable for a turn. The lower casting cost of Ghirapur Gearcrafter ensures an earlier board presence which can be pivotal in fast-paced matches.

Ultimately, while each of these cards has its own merits depending on the deck strategy and the match’s tempo, Ghirapur Gearcrafter stands out for its efficiency in cost-to-token generation, making it a solid choice for players looking to build synergy around artifacts and token creatures.

Pia and Kiran Nalaar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ghirapur Gearcrafter by color, type and mana cost

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Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghirapur Gearcrafter MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins, 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 Ghirapur Gearcrafter and other MTG cards: