Savage Gorilla MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ape |
| Released | 2001-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Apocalypse |
| Set code | APC |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 85 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Dorman |
Text of card
o Uo B, oc T, Sacrifice Savage Gorilla: Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. Draw a card.
These omnivorous gorillas have no qualms about a diet composed of equal parts fruit and Phyrexians.
Cards like Savage Gorilla
Savage Gorilla is a notable creature in MTG that adds depth to the pool of green and black multicolored cards. This primate stands its ground when compared to other creatures like Skinrender, as both cards share the ability to interact with creatures upon entry onto the battlefield. While Savage Gorilla requires discarding a card for its effect, Skinrender automatically places three -1/-1 counters without such a cost.
Another card that comes to mind is Shriekmaw, which provides a similar utility in creature removal. Unlike Savage Gorilla, Shriekmaw’s Evoke cost can lead to a low-cost creature removal, albeit without the added benefit of the discard to potentially fuel graveyard strategies.
Then we consider the Indrik Stomphowler, entering the fray as another creature capable of affecting the board on arrival, targeting artifacts and enchantments instead of creatures. Although it lacks the versatility of targeting creatures like Savage Gorilla does, its straightforward destruction ability can be a reliable alternative without any additional costs.
In weighing strengths, Savage Gorilla displays its uniqueness with the added layer of strategic discards, enriching creature-based decks with additional subtleties, making it an intriguing choice for players who appreciate cards that offer more than mere surface value.
Cards similar to Savage Gorilla by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Savage Gorilla card enables players to potentially remove an opposition’s creature from the board, which, if successful, diminishes their resources while maintaining your own creature count. It’s a beneficial trade-off that can swing the momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While the Savage Gorilla itself may not directly accelerate resources, it can clear a path for your other creatures to attack undeterred, effectively speeding up your win condition by reducing the opponent’s defensive capabilities.
Instant Speed: This powerful ape operates at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to surprise an opponent during their turn. This tactical advantage keeps opponents guessing and forces them to consider the Savage Gorilla’s presence when committing to their own plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Savage Gorilla provides a powerful ability that can disrupt your opponent’s hand, it comes with the drawback of needing to relinquish one of your own cards in return. This discard requirement can force tough decisions when your hand is already sparse, potentially reducing your own tactical advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a particular combination of mana to cast—requiring both green and black mana resources. This specificity can constrict players to a Golgari deck or a mana base that supports such colors, thus not fitting into every strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost situated on the higher end of the spectrum, this card competes with others in the same mana range that may deliver an immediate impact on the game state. Players might find the cost to benefit ratio less compelling when alternatives can offer swifter or more sustained effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Savage Gorilla offers flexibility by providing both creature control and an opportunity for card advantage. This makes it suitable for multiple deck archetypes looking to handle threats on the board.
Combo Potential: Its ability to discard a card can be strategically used in tandem with graveyard mechanics or madness strategies, playing into synergies that capitalize on discard effects.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-centric decks are prevalent in many metas, Savage Gorilla can serve as a reliable answer to opponents’ threats, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat
The Savage Gorilla card presents players with a unique challenge in MTG. Its ability to destroy a creature upon entering the battlefield makes it a potent threat on the board. However, like all formidable cards, there are strategic ways to handle this jungle behemoth. Key to overcoming this creature is to employ instant-speed removal spells, which can be cast before its destructive ability triggers, thereby ensuring it never gets the chance to flex its might.
Another viable strategy is to make use of cards with hexproof or indestructible attributes, making your creatures immune to Savage Gorilla’s ability. Furthermore, countering it with blue spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak is highly effective, preventing it from entering the battlefield entirely. Ensnaring it with enchantments that restrict its actions, like Pacifism, could also prove to be an effective line of defense.
In essence, while Savage Gorilla may appear daunting at first glance, a well-thought-out plan that includes use of removals, counterspells, protective abilities, or disabling enchantments can significantly diminish the impact of this powerful primate on your game. Understanding and anticipating this card’s strengths will surely lead to a tactical advantage on the battleground.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Savage Gorilla MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, 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 Savage Gorilla 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Savage Gorilla has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Savage Gorilla card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You do not get to draw a card if the target is not legal on resolution. |