Gnarled Effigy MTG Card


Gnarled Effigy - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Number251
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRon Brown

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage by neutrally transforming creatures without spending additional resources.
  2. Effigy’s low cost enhances board development while retaining mana for other plays.
  3. Instant speed use disrupts opponents’ strategies with flexible battlefield control.

Text of card

, : Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.

"Bits of fallen scarecrow, laces of elfskin leather, teeth of an axeshark merrow . . . An industrious soul can find new uses for the most mundane items." —Mowagh the Gwyllion


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Gnarled Effigy enables you to manipulate the battlefield by transforming a key creature, effectively providing a form of card advantage as it can neutralize an opponent’s threat without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Gnarled Effigy doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, its low casting cost aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to develop your board and still have mana available for other strategic plays within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Being able to activate its ability at instant speed grants you the flexibility to adapt to battlefield changes dynamically, disrupting your opponent’s strategies during their turn or at a moment when it’s most advantageous for you.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gnarled Effigy might necessitate letting go of a valuable card from your hand, which could set you back especially when your card options are already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana to play, restricting its seamless inclusion only to decks that can consistently produce the required mana types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment needed to bring Gnarled Effigy into play might be considered steep considering other alternatives available in the game that could provide similar utility or impact at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Gnarled Effigy in Your Collection

Versatility: Gnarled Effigy’s flexibility shines as it can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its ability to offer creature removal without being a spell makes it a match for decks that care about non-spell ways to control the board.

Combo Potential: This artifact lends itself to synergies with cards that capitalize on activated abilities or death triggers. Pairing it with cards that benefit whenever a creature dies can turn each activation into a multifaceted strategic move.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where indestructible or hexproof creatures are prevalent, Gnarled Effigy provides a consistent solution to remove threats that are otherwise difficult to address, ensuring your deck stays competitive.


How to beat

Gnarled Effigy brings an intriguing dynamic to creature-control in Magic: The Gathering. This artifact shines in its ability to lock down opponent’s threats, one counter at a time. Unlike a straightforward removal card, Gnarled Effigy requires strategic setup and patience as it accrues essential counters to neutralize opposing forces. But how does one overcome this gradual menace?

One approach is to engage with artifact destruction or bounce strategies to reset or remove Gnarled Effigy before it accumulates enough counters to become a problem. Decks that can efficiently manage artifacts, like those running cards such as Naturalize or Disenchant, have the upper hand. Swift action ensures that Gnarled Effigy’s influence remains minimal.

Another tactic is to apply pressure and force the controller of Gnarled Effigy to make difficult choices. By presenting multiple threats simultaneously, you can stretch the limited capacity of Gnarled Effigy, potentially overextending its ability to control. Prioritize the deployment of creatures that can either replace themselves or present immediate value, diminishing the impact of a potential neutralization.

Ultimately, defeating Gnarled Effigy involves recognizing its potential for gradual domination and implementing preemptive measures or strategic overloads to prevent it from dictating the pace of the game.


Cards like Gnarled Effigy

Gnarled Effigy enters the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a versatile artifact, sharing its battlefield presence with a slew of other intriguing cards. Among those is the renowned equipment, Cranial Plating, which also boosts a creature’s power, directly proportional to certain deck mechanics. Gnarled Effigy differentiates itself with its activation ability allowing you to control when and where to apply its effect without being dependent on the creature’s attack phase.

A close relative in this family of effects is the Universal Solvent. The Solvent, while not enhancing power or toughness, offers an unprejudiced removal at a higher activation cost, giving Gnarled Effigy an edge for its low-cost creature control capabilities. Then we have Executioner’s Capsule, another artifact, providing removal services, specifically targeting nonblack creatures. However, compared to Gnarled Effigy, which can affect any creature, the Capsule’s conditional use places it in a more specialized niche.

All things considered, Gnarled Effigy claims a respectable position within the scope of MTG artifacts designed for creature management. Its blend of affordability and target flexibility makes it an understated but potentially powerful player on the battlefield.

Cranial Plating - MTG Card versions
Universal Solvent - MTG Card versions
Executioner's Capsule - MTG Card versions
Cranial Plating - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Universal Solvent - Aether Revolt (AER)
Executioner's Capsule - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Cards similar to Gnarled Effigy by color, type and mana cost

Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Tower of Fortunes - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Juggernaut - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Dancing Scimitar - Revised Edition (3ED)
Grinning Totem - Mirage (MIR)
Phyrexian Processor - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Patagia Golem - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Lodestone Myr - Mirrodin (MRD)
Krark-Clan Ironworks - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ur-Golem's Eye - Commander 2014 (C14)
Jester's Cap - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bottled Cloister - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Rod of Ruin - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Scrapbasket - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Magnetic Mine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Icy Manipulator - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Eye of Doom - Commander 2013 (C13)
Well of Lost Dreams - The List (PLST)
Tower of Fortunes - Commander 2013 (C13)
Coercive Portal - Conspiracy (CNS)
Aetherworks Marvel - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gnarled Effigy MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Gnarled Effigy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gnarled Effigy has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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