Nullstone Gargoyle MTG Card

Nullstone Gargoyle - Ravnica: City of Guilds

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	9
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Gargoyle
Abilities	Flying
Released	2005-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica: City of Guilds
Set code	RAV
Power	4
Toughness	5
Number	266
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Glenn Fabry

Key Takeaways

Nullstone Gargoyle offers advantage by countering first noncreature spell each turn, disrupting opponents’ strategies.
A formidable 4/5 body, it demands an answer, indirectly freeing up your resources and advancing your board.
Impacting instant speed interactions, it forces opponents to rethink timings, giving you potential strategic upper hand.

Text of card

Flying Whenever the first noncreature spell each turn is played, counter that spell.

Nullstone absorbs and dampens most forms of magical energy, as well as light, sound, and heat.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wielding the power to shut down an opponent’s first noncreature spell each turn, Nullstone Gargoyle can strategically diminish their resources while preserving yours. This ability not only hampers their plans but also provides indirect card advantage as your spells remain safe, letting you dictate the pace of the game.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, Nullstone Gargoyle can be a form of investment. With its hefty 4/5 body, it’s an imposing presence that demands an answer. This distraction can free up your other resources, as opponents exhaust their removal options, allowing you to advance your board unaffected.

Instant Speed: The inherent ability of Nullstone Gargoyle doesn’t operate at instant speed; however, it influences instant speed interactions. Opponents must reconsider the timing of their crucial instants or activated abilities, potentially giving you an opening to capitalize on their hesitation or forced errors. The gargoyle sets a persistent check on the board, requiring careful navigation from the opponent with each spell they cast.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Nullstone Gargoyle doesn’t require a discard per se, it necessitates a careful planning of spell casting to prevent an unintended countering of your own spells, which could be indirectly taxing your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Nullstone Gargoyle comes with a specifically color-weighted mana cost, demanding two generic and six colorless mana which can be a challenge to gather, especially in multicolored decks that might not prioritize colorless mana generation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a total of eight mana, the Gargoyle’s initial investment is steep. For the same mana cost, players might find alternative defensive or game-winning options to be more impactful and immediate threats on the board.

Reasons to Include Nullstone Gargoyle in Your Collection

Versatility: Nullstone Gargoyle offers a unique defensive option that can fit into various decks. Its ability to counter the first noncreature spell each turn gives control players a powerful tool to protect their game plan.

Combo Potential: With the Gargoyle in play, you can tailor your deck to exploit its ability, setting up a board state where your noncreature spells are of little necessity, while severely limiting your opponent’s options.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames shift towards spell-heavy combos or powerful enchantments and sorceries, Nullstone Gargoyle can serve as a resilient check against many popular strategies, making it a timely addition to your collection.

How to beat Nullstone Gargoyle

Overcoming the Nullstone Gargoyle in MTG requires a clever strategy, as this artifact creature presents a unique challenge. With its ability to counter the first noncreature spell each turn, it demands a certain finesse to navigate around. To tackle this obstacle, consider increasing the number of instant-speed removals or creature-based strategies in your deck. Creature spells slip past the Gargoyle’s watchful eye, which means that a creature-heavy approach, possibly employing enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities, could serve you well.

Additionally, spells that offer multiple casting opportunities, such as rebound or flashback, can be advantageous. They can bait out and exhaust the Gargoyle’s ability, leaving the path clear for more decisive spells. Sometimes, the simplest solution is direct removal. After all, the Gargoyle’s strength is in its static ability, and without it on the battlefield, it is just another creature. Board wipes and exile effects can be particularly effective, after ensuring the Gargoyle’s ability won’t interfere. Cutting off the stone wings of this troublesome guardian often boils down to timing and a diversified game plan.

Taking into account the delicate balance of spell types and the timing of your offensive, Nullstone Gargoyle can be turned from an impasse into a surmountable challenge within the complex and rewarding realm of MTG.

Cards like Nullstone Gargoyle

Nullstone Gargoyle holds an interesting niche in Magic: The Gathering as a defensive artifact creature. Its ability to counter the first noncreature spell each turn is somewhat reminiscent of the protection offered by cards like Nether Void. But while Nether Void impacts all spells and comes with a higher mana cost, Nullstone Gargoyle selectively focuses on noncreature spells, making it a strategic choice in creature-heavy decks.

Comparable to Nullstone Gargoyle, Damping Matrix disables activated abilities of artifacts and creatures, though it lacks the creature aspect and countering ability tied to the Gargoyle. Another card is Thorn of Amethyst, raising the cost of all noncreature spells, potentially slowing down opponents without countering outright. The Gargoyle provides more direct control by nullifying the first threat each turn.

While each card has its advantages, Nullstone Gargoyle stands out for its unique combination of being a creature that passively disrupts noncreature spells. It’s a vital difference for decks that prioritize board presence with a side of spell disruption. Such a card offers a blend of defensive utility and creature-based strategy where needed most.

Cards similar to Nullstone Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nullstone Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Nullstone Gargoyle and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nullstone Gargoyle 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 Nullstone Gargoyle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2005-10-01	If another spell is cast in response to the first spell, Nullstone Gargoyle doesn’t affect that second spell.
2005-10-01	Nullstone Gargoyle cares about the first noncreature spell cast during a turn, not the first one it “sees.” If a noncreature spell was cast before Nullstone Gargoyle entered the battlefield, it won’t counter the next one.