March from the Black Gate MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Enchantment |
Abilities | Amass |
Text of card
When March from the Black Gate enters the battlefield and whenever an Army you control attacks, amass Orcs 1. (Put a +1/+1 counter on an Army you control. It's also an Orc. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token first.)
Like a storm, they broke upon the line of the Men of Gondor.
Unleashing the Dead: March from the Black Gate
March from the Black Gate is an evocative spell in the realm of resurrection abilities within MTG. Its dedication to pulling creatures from the grave sets a particular standard. Comparable to the likes of Haunting Voyage, which also allows for the return of creatures from graveyard to the battlefield. However, March from the Black Gate will enable you to return any number of creatures with different mana values, which defines its unique space in the game. Haunting Voyage, while powerful, is limited to creatures of a single type, giving March from the Black Gate a broader appeal.
Cards like March from the Black Gate
March from the Black Gate shares its utility with some esteemed company. One notable parallel is Command the Dreadhorde, which also summons multiple creatures back into play. But Command the Dreadhorde comes with a steep price, costing the player’s life equal to the total mana cost of the chosen cards, a drawback absent in March from the Black Gate’s scheme. Another kin is Rise of the Dark Realms, a mighty spell with the potential to bring back all creatures from all graveyards, though at a high mana cost and without the filtering ability that March from the Black Gate offers.
Thus, when considering the balance between effect, cost, and conditions, March from the Black Gate holds its own against other powerful resurrection spells in the MTG universe. It provides a uniquely flexible approach to late-game strategies, allowing for tailored comebacks that could sway the tide of battle in your favor.
Cards similar to March from the Black Gate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: March from the Black Gate enables a massive surge in card utility by bringing multiple Zombie tokens into play. This can quickly overwhelm an opponent and shift the game balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Each Zombie token created is not just a threat to your opponent; it also represents potential ramping power. With the right synergies in your deck, these tokens can be sacrificed or tapped for additional resources, propelling your gameplay forward at a pace your opponent may struggle to match.
Instant Speed: The real strength of March from the Black Gate comes from its casting flexibility. The ability to summon an army at the end of your opponent’s turn can catch them off guard, allowing for unexpected blocking or end-of-turn strategies that can turn the tide of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: March from the Black Gate requires players to discard a card to utilize its additional cost mechanic. This prerequisite can hinder your gameplay, especially if your hand is already sparse or if important resources become the unfortunate victims of the discard.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific array of mana symbols to cast, which might not be readily available in all deck types. Consequently, it might not seamlessly slot into decks outside of those tailored to its particular mana needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a lofty mana price tag for its potential effects. In a game where speed and efficiency can be paramount, some players may find that allocating such resources for its abilities isn’t the most economical use of their mana reserves when pitted against less costly alternatives.
Reasons to Include March from the Black Gate in Your Collection
Versatility: March from the Black Gate is a card that offers strategic depth and flexibility. It’s not just a creature summoner; it provides late-game advantage and resilience, making it a great choice for decks that thrive on sustained momentum.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that focus on death triggers or benefit from having multiple creatures entering and leaving the battlefield, creating opportunities for powerful play combinations.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to change the state of the board significantly, it’s a critical addition for anyone looking to stay competitive in evolving metagames where board presence can be decisive.
How to beat
March from the Black Gate is a powerful construct in the Magic: The Gathering scene, harnessing an amplified resurrection mechanic which can bring back your entire graveyard. While its strength is undeniable, encountering it on the battlefield is not an automatic defeat. Mitigating its impact involves strategic use of graveyard hate cards that can disrupt your opponent’s plan. Cards such as Grafdigger’s Cage prevent creatures in graveyards from entering the battlefield, directly stopping March from the Black Gate’s effect in its tracks.
Another crucial strategy is to target the enchantment before it activates. Disenchanted spells, naturalize effects or bounce spells that return it to the opponent’s hand can give you the opening to counter it when recast. Spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto that counter noncreature spells are perfect fits for this role. Additionally, accelerating your game plan to finish the match before your opponent can marshal their forces with March from the Black Gate can be equally effective. Swift aggression can often outpace control strategies, leaving the opponent with a hand full of cards and no time to deploy them.
Understanding the dynamics of direct counterplay and preemptive measures are key in overcoming the might of March from the Black Gate while ensuring you maintain the upper hand throughout the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Wrapping up, mastery in MTG often hinges on utilizing cards like March from the Black Gate to their full potential. With its ally-rousing abilities, this card carves a space for strategic advantage and board dominance. Leveraging its pros, while mitigating its cons, could be the deciding factor in your matches. Embrace its power by considering the intricate balance of card advantage and board presence. Dive deeper into our wealth of MTG resources to discover synergistic decks and strategic insights that align with this commanding card. Enhance your collection, refine your strategies, and prepare to outwit your opponents on the battlefield. Take the next step in your MTG journey with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase March from the Black Gate MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 March from the Black Gate and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The March from the Black Gate Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Victor Harmatiuk.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Harmatiuk | |
2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 545 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Harmatiuk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where March from the Black Gate has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering March from the Black Gate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2023-06-16 | Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army. |
2023-06-16 | Amass abilities are now written as "amass -ubtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N." |
2023-06-16 | If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters. |
2023-06-16 | In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types. |
2023-06-16 | Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason. |
2023-06-16 | Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs. |
2023-06-16 | To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types. |