Mirror Gallery MTG Card
2005-02-04 - Number 154
2020-09-26 - Number BOK-154
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
The "legend rule" doesn't apply.
Only in mirrors do heroes find their equal.
Cards like Mirror Gallery
Mirror Gallery stands out in the realm of unique Magic: The Gathering cards due to its distinct rule-bending ability. It invites comparisons to other cards that manipulate the game’s fundamental rules, such as Doubling Season or Anointed Procession, which are transformative in how they impact token creation and counters. Unlike these cards, Mirror Gallery specifically targets the ‘legend rule’, allowing for the control of multiple copies of legendary creatures, which is typically prohibited.
Looking at cards like Sakashima the Impostor, we see another approach to working around the legend rule. Sakashima the Impostor can copy legendary creatures without the need to negate the legend rule, offering a more targeted solution. Helm of the Host also enables the creation of non-legendary token copies of a legendary creature but does so in an equipment form. Mirror Gallery, by contrast, offers a blanket bypass, affecting all legendary creatures you control across the board.
Having Mirror Gallery on the field can be game-changing, especially in EDH/Commander formats where legendary creatures are a centerpiece. It allows for creative deck-building and unique play experiences that rewards strategic synergies, much like its counterparts, but with a broader, game-altering potential.
Cards similar to Mirror Gallery by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By allowing for multiple legendary permanents with the same name to exist on the battlefield, Mirror Gallery paves the way for potential card advantage. Players can deploy additional copies of powerful legendary creatures or planeswalkers, thus leveraging their unique abilities multiple times.
Resource Acceleration: This unique ability indirectly contributes to resource acceleration by providing the player with increased opportunities for legendary permanents to generate effects or mana beyond the usual one-permanent limit. Essentially, Mirror Gallery acts as a force multiplier for legendary resources already in play.
Instant Speed: Although Mirror Gallery itself is not played at instant speed, its presence enables a strategic depth that includes responding with legendary instants or activating legendary abilities at any time without fearing the “legend rule,” which could otherwise limit such plays to a single instance per turn cycle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Mirror Gallery card is the potential need to discard other valuable cards from your hand to fulfill certain deck strategies. This could be particularly disadvantageous when playing a hand that relies on card synergy or when you’re already managing limited resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Mirror Gallery’s mana cost is strictly colorless, which may not seem restrictive at first. However, its five-mana cost can be difficult to reach in multicolored decks that prioritize their colored mana for other key spells, leaving Mirror Gallery sidelined until sufficient resources are available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five-mana investment required to play Mirror Gallery, players might find it challenging to effectively incorporate this card into faster-paced games where lower-cost cards could be played more quickly for similar or greater impact. This cost consideration is vital to think about when constructing a deck that aims for efficiency and speed.
Reasons to Include Mirror Gallery in Your Collection
Versatility: Mirror Gallery is a unique card that removes the legend rule for your side of the field, allowing duplicate legendary permanents. This opens a world of possibilities for deck building, where you can utilize multiple copies of powerful legendary creatures and planeswalkers to dominate the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin for several combos, particularly in formats that allow for a wider pool of cards. It can be teamed with cards like Helm of the Host to create endless copies of a legendary creature without sacrificing them to the legend rule, massively amplifying your board presence.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta fluctuates, so does the strength of Mirror Gallery. In a meta where legendary permanents are prevalent, the inclusion of Mirror Gallery can significantly alter your matches, giving you an unexpected edge over opponents who aren’t prepared for such a strategy.
How to beat
Mirror Gallery, a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, holds a distinctive place in the hearts of players who fancy duplicating legendary creatures without the usual restrictions. This five-mana artifact removes the “legend rule” for as long as it remains on the battlefield, allowing multiples of the same legendary permanents to coexist. While it sparks inventive deck building, strategizing around this enchanting gallery involves particular tactics.
If you’re facing an opponent capitalizing on Mirror Gallery, artifact removal becomes your best friend. Directly targeting the artifact with a card like Disenchant or Naturalize will promptly revert the game state to a legend rule-enforced situation, potentially clearing the board of duplicate legendary permanents. Also, don’t underestimate counterspells; stopping Mirror Gallery before it even hits the board with a card like Counterspell or Negate saves you a potential headache later in the matchup. Finally, playing cards that grant indirect advantages such as board wipes or spot removal ensures you can keep the board state under control even if Mirror Gallery sneaks into play.
To sum up, anticipating your opponent’s reliance on Mirror Gallery by employing removals, counterspells, or strategic board control is essential. Understanding these aspects of gameplay not only gives you an upper hand but also showcases the depth and competitive nature of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mirror Gallery MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and The List, 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 Mirror Gallery 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 Mirror Gallery Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2005-02-04. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 154 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | BOK-154 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mirror Gallery has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mirror Gallery card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-02-01 | Mirror Gallery removes the “Legend rule” while it’s on the battlefield. If all Mirror Galleries leave the battlefield, the “Legend rule” will apply the next time state-based actions are performed. |