Saruli Gatekeepers MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Warrior |
| Released | 2013-05-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragon's Maze |
| Set code | DGM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 48 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chris Rahn |
Text of card
When Saruli Gatekeepers enters the battlefield, if you control two or more Gates, you gain 7 life.
In Ravnica's wilder districts, nature still stirs, and its protectors still mind their posts.
Cards like Saruli Gatekeepers
Saruli Gatekeepers, with its impact on life totals, draws a parallel to other creatures within Magic the Gathering renowned for their ‘enter the battlefield’ effects. Comparable to Centaur Healer, Saruli Gatekeepers offers a significant 7 life points boon when it arrives on the battlefield, if you control two or more gates. While Centaur Healer grants a flat 3 life regardless of land presence, Saruli Gatekeepers’ potential for a higher life gain reflects its gate-centric playstyle.
Another similar card worth considering is Siege Rhino which, in addition to providing a lifegain of 3 points to its controller, also inflicts a 3-point loss to the opponent, impacting life totals on both ends. Despite the higher life gain from Saruli Gatekeepers under the right conditions, Siege Rhino’s dual effect on life totals and a more aggressive body make it a formidable alternative.
Ultimately, Saruli Gatekeepers holds a unique niche in decks that favor a gated battlefield, marking it as a situational yet potentially game-changing addition to any player’s life-gaining arsenal in MTG.
Cards similar to Saruli Gatekeepers by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Saruli Gatekeepers. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Saruli Gatekeepers’ entry effect will give you a significant boost in life, often swinging the game in your favor and effectively providing you with more staying power against aggressive strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Gatekeepers themselves don’t directly accelerate resources, their solid presence on the battlefield may help you stabilize and utilize your mana more effectively in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: While the Gatekeepers operate at sorcery speed, their strength lies in the gate synergy. They can perform exceptionally well in a deck designed around gates, potentially coupling with other instant-speed gate interactions to optimize your board state on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Saruli Gatekeepers don’t require a discard, they do necessitate a gate to be in play for the optimal effect. Without a gate, you’re left with a basic creature that may not provide the utility you’re looking for.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Saruli Gatekeepers is split between green and white mana. This requirement means they are tailored for a specific two-color deck, potentially limiting their versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Four mana for a 2/4 creature is steep, especially when the life gain ability is conditional on having a gate. Other creatures or spells at this cost can offer more immediate board impact or value without such conditions.
Reasons to Include Saruli Gatekeepers in Your Collection
Versatility: Saruli Gatekeepers provide a unique utility and life gain which can be a turning point in games. Their ability to instantly boost your life total makes them a suitable addition to various green decks or multicolored decks that can accommodate their gateway requirement.
Combo Potential: Launching off their enter the battlefield effect can be significant when combined with bounce and flicker strategies. By reusing their life-gain ability, you can outlast opponents in prolonged matches or stabilize against aggressive decks.
Meta-Relevance: With creatures and direct damage being prevalent in many metas, the life gain from Saruli Gatekeepers can be pivotal in surviving and ultimately winning the match. They fit well into decks that seek to control the pace and trajectory of the game, ensuring you remain in a favorable position throughout.
How to beat
Saruli Gatekeepers is a versatile card in Magic: The Gathering, offering both creature presence and a life gain benefit when it enters the battlefield with a gate. To overcome this card, strategy is key. Resource denial, such as land destruction or preventing the gate from coming into play, can inhibit the life gain ability. Cards like Stone Rain or Ghost Quarter can disrupt your opponent’s mana base and gate count.
Moreover, efficient removal spells are effective at dealing with the Saruli Gatekeepers as a creature. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can remove the creature from the battlefield before its life gain effect has a significant impact. Players should also consider the timing of playing their removal spells, aiming to cast them after the Gatekeepers’ enter the battlefield ability has been triggered to ensure it does not recur.
Anticipating and countering key gate cards in your opponent’s deck also works. This could be achieved by including counterspells such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto in your strategy, which inhibit your opponent’s plans and maintain the pace of the game in your favor. Adapting these tactics can effectively neutralize the Saruli Gatekeepers’ advantages in a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saruli Gatekeepers MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Saruli Gatekeepers 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saruli Gatekeepers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |