Opal Lake Gatekeepers MTG Card
2013-05-03 - Number 16
2020-09-26 - Number DGM-16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Opal Lake Gatekeepers enters the battlefield, if you control two or more Gates, you may draw a card.
Sentries guard Ravnica's landmarks and outlying districts, unaware of these places' import to the maze.
Cards like Opal Lake Gatekeepers
Opal Lake Gatekeepers join a niche set of creatures in Magic: The Gathering that unlock additional value upon meeting specific conditions. This blue creature harmonizes with other similar cards like the Gatekeeper series or the landfall creatures which also rely on lands to unlock their abilities. Opal Lake Gatekeepers, for instance, require a player to control two or more Gates to draw a card, akin to how Saruli Gatekeepers offer a life-gain alternative provided the same criteria.
While comparing the intricacies, we observe other cards like Archway Angel, rewarding for Gate control but with a different benefit—gaining life proportional to the number of Gates. The dynamic shifts slightly with District Guide, a card that fetches Gates directly from the library, thereby facilitating the card drawing condition for Opal Lake Gatekeepers themselves. This creates a tangible synergy within the Gate-focused subtheme deck ensuring the chain of benefits remains constant.
Assessing the versatility and specific uses of each card is essential for MTG players as it greatly impacts strategic deckbuilding and gameplay dynamics. Opal Lake Gatekeepers may not ignite the board with instant impact, but in the correct setup, its ability to provide extra card draw is undoubtedly a strategic boon.
Cards similar to Opal Lake Gatekeepers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Opal Lake Gatekeepers provides the opportunity to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, assuming you have two or more blue permanents. This supports card advantage by replenishing your hand, maintaining the flow of options available during the match.
Resource Acceleration: As a creature that can potentially enable you to draw additional cards, Opal Lake Gatekeepers can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration. More cards drawn means a higher likelihood of hitting your land drops or finding other resources to further your game plan.
Instant Speed: One of the standout features of this card is the ability to exploit an opponent’s action at instant speed. If your deck is built to meet the blue permanents parameter, you can flash in Opal Lake Gatekeepers in response to an opponent’s move, surprising them and maximizing your strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Opal Lake Gatekeepers require players to discard a card to utilize its ability. This can pose a challenge when your hand is already depleted or when every card in hand is crucial for upcoming turns.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific arrangement of blue mana, which could restrict its integration especially in multi-colored decks. Ensuring the right mana is available at the right time can sometimes hinder your gameplay flow.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic and one blue mana, Opal Lake Gatekeepers may come off as a steep investment in contrast with other creatures that could provide more immediate board impact or have lower summoning costs.
Reasons to Include Opal Lake Gatekeepers in Your Collection
Versatility: Opal Lake Gatekeepers offers flexibility as a blue creature that could adapt to various deck themes. With its gate-related ability to draw a card, it fits well into gate-centric decks or any blue-based deck that appreciates card advantage.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that utilize gates and can serve as a part of a combo that leverages card draw mechanics or interactions that reward players for drawing cards. It’s a solid addition to decks that capitalize on having specific creature types like Wizards as well.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to enhance card draw, Opal Lake Gatekeepers could find a comfortable spot in a meta where maintaining hand advantage is crucial. It’s especially useful against control matchups where outdrawing the opponent can be the key to victory.
How to beat
Opal Lake Gatekeepers, a niche card in MTG, may not be a powerhouse in every deck, but it certainly has its moments, particularly in limited formats or specific decks that cater to its enter-the-battlefield trigger. Renowned for providing a conditional card draw when it enters the battlefield if you control two or more Gates, overcoming this card requires a mix of timing and strategy.
To outplay an opponent wielding this card, you need to hinder their ability to benefit from the Gatekeepers’ card-drawing ability. This could involve land destruction targeting the Gates, denying them the two-Gate prerequisite, or countering the creature spell directly, canceling the trigger before it can resolve. Aggressive decks can bypass the Gatekeepers altogether by focusing on reducing the opponent’s life total before the card’s advantage becomes relevant. Conversely, control decks might leverage removal or bouncing effects after the Gatekeepers hit the battlefield, negating any long-term value they might provide, ensuring your opposition’s card advantage is kept to a minimum.
Ultimately, while Opal Lake Gatekeepers may occasionally give your opponent an edge in card advantage, its impact can be mitigated with the right tactics, maintaining the flow of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Opal Lake Gatekeepers MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze 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 Opal Lake Gatekeepers and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Opal Lake Gatekeepers Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2013-05-03. Illustrated by Seb McKinnon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-05-03 | Dragon's Maze | DGM | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | DGM-16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Opal Lake Gatekeepers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |