Pitiless Gorgon MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 218
2024-02-23 - Number 203
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Gorgon |
| Abilities | Deathtouch |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Deathtouch
"The reign of the Swarm begins. Let us rise now and dress ourselves in vengeance."
Cards like Pitiless Gorgon
Delving into the den of deathtouch creatures within MTG, Pitiless Gorgon stands as a solid entry. This card’s kin, such as Hired Poisoner, provides a similar low-cost entry point into deathtouch territory. Though Hired Poisoner costs less mana, it only offers a 1/1 creature, whereas Pitiless Gorgon brings a more substantial 2/2 body to the battlefield.
When comparing Pitiless Gorgon to other Golgari faction deathtouchers, one might examine Vampire Nighthawk. While requiring one additional mana, the Nighthawk flies high with additional abilities like flying and lifelink, placing it in a notably different strategic position despite the shared deathtouch trait.
To broaden the scope, Typhoid Rats presents another low-cost deathtouch creature, boasting a similar intimidation factor despite its humble 1/1 stats. Pitiless Gorgon’s added toughness makes it more resilient, able to survive encounters that the Rats cannot. Ultimately, Pitiless Gorgon provides a balanced mix of cost-efficiency and combat presence, cementing its value in MTG decks that favor deathtouch synergy and board control.
Cards similar to Pitiless Gorgon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pitiless Gorgon offers the potential for a two-for-one scenario. When it destroys an opposing creature through deathtouch, you maintain your board presence while diminishing your opponent’s, creating an advantageous state.
Resource Acceleration: While Pitiless Gorgon itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its low-cost efficiency in terms of mana can be seen as an indirect form of acceleration. It allows for a stronger board presence early on, leaving mana available for other spells and actions.
Instant Speed: Pitiless Gorgon operates effectively at sorcery speed, but the value in an MTG deck often comes from the synergy with other cards. When combined with spells that have flash or can be activated at instant speed, Pitiless Gorgon can deter attacks or force unfavorable blocks, providing a tactical edge during the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Pitiless Gorgon doesn’t directly require a discard, but when considering its place in a deck, one must consider what other cards might be forfeited to include this gorgon. This can indirectly result in having to make tough discard decisions during the deck-building phase.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a specific blend of mana to cast, one black and one green, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored decks. Decks that aren’t focused on a Golgari (black/green) strategy may find it hard to reliably cast Pitiless Gorgon on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including both black and green, some players may find the gorgon is edged out by creatures with similar stats or abilities that are easier to cast or offer additional benefits. In a game where efficiency is key, the mana investment for Pitiless Gorgon sometimes doesn’t align with its board impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pitiless Gorgon offers a robust addition to any deck that requires a dependable blocker or an effective threat remover. Its deathtouch ability allows it to handle even the mightiest creatures your opponents control.
Combo Potential: Given its deathtouch attribute, the Gorgon pairs well with cards that enable it to deal damage in various ways, or with strategies that may benefit from creature death triggers, making it a linchpin in several combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where formidable creatures often dominate the board, Pitiless Gorgon serves as a crucial tool. It can keep aggressive strategies at bay and maintain balance against creature-heavy decks that other players might favor.
How to beat
Pitiless Gorgon brings a certain resilience to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering with its combination of deathtouch and solid stats. To successfully navigate around this card, it’s essential to look at removal spells that can bypass its combat-based advantages. Unconditional removal spells like Murder, which can target and destroy any creature for three mana, provide a straightforward solution. Similarly, spells like Pacifism neutralize the Gorgon without triggering its deathtouch ability since the creature no longer engages in combat.
Another key to overcoming the Pitiless Gorgon lies in using creatures with first strike, as they can deal damage before deathtouch takes effect. This allows your creatures to potentially take down the Gorgon before it can use its lethal ability. Additionally, utilizing evasion tactics, such as flying or unblockable creatures, sidesteps the need for direct combat, thereby rendering the creature’s deathtouch irrelevant. This way, players can continue to apply pressure and create advantageous board states without having to confront Pitiless Gorgon head-on.
By considering these strategies and understanding the nuances of the card, players can effectively contain the threat posed by Pitiless Gorgon, keeping it from dominating the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pitiless Gorgon MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Pitiless Gorgon 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
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Printings
The Pitiless Gorgon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Alex Konstad.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 218 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Konstad | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Konstad |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pitiless Gorgon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |