Shinka Gatekeeper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 117 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
Whenever Shinka Gatekeeper is dealt damage, it deals that much damage to you.
"Understanding is not a virtue of the ogre. Do not seek to reason your way into Shinka Keep." —Kiku, Night's Flower
Cards like Shinka Gatekeeper
Shinka Gatekeeper serves as a notable creature card in the realm of MTG. With a vigilance ability, it parallels cards like Loyal Sentry, another creature with the capability to block and survive attacks during both players’ turns. What distinguishes Shinka Gatekeeper, however, is its mana cost and power. While Loyal Sentry shines by costing only one mana, Shinka Gatekeeper brings more power to the table.
Examining other comparisons, Knight of the White Orchid stands out with a similar vigilance trait. The Knight also enables players to search their deck for a Plains card when it enters the battlefield, offering a distinct form of value. Shinka Gatekeeper does not provide such utility but compensates with its resilience in combat scenarios.
Lastly, the vigilant Aven Skirmisher offers yet another point of comparison. A flying creature, Aven Skirmisher can avoid many blockers, but with only one power compared to Shinka Gatekeeper, the trade-off is between evasion and combat strength.
Considering these comparisons, it’s evident that Shinka Gatekeeper holds a unique position, particularly for players who value durable creatures capable of consistent on-board presence.
Cards similar to Shinka Gatekeeper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Shinka Gatekeeper card provides a strategic edge by potentially filtering your deck. While it does not directly draw cards, it allows you to look at the top two cards of your library, putting one into the graveyard. It facilitates a method to churn through your deck and keep the cards that are most beneficial to your current board state.
Resource Acceleration: This particular MTG card doesn’t directly produce additional mana or treasure tokens, but by effectively sifting your deck, it accelerates your access to vital resources. This helps ensure that you don’t lose momentum and can maintain or increase your lead in the race for resources.
Instant Speed: Shinka Gatekeeper operates at instant speed, which means you can perform its action during your opponent’s turn, offering both a strategic bluffing element and the ability to wait for the most opportune moment to tailor your next draw without sacrificing the pace of your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shinka Gatekeeper necessitates discarding another card to play, potentially depleting your hand when you might need those cards later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a blend of red and generic mana, which makes it less flexible for decks that do not primarily utilize red mana sources or are multi-colored, possibly causing it to be a dead draw in non-red-centric decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may be considered steep for its body and ability, the Gatekeeper’s cost-efficiency is debatable when compared to other creatures in its mana range that potentially offer more board impact or lower casting constraints.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shinka Gatekeeper is a dynamic card that can seamlessly be included in various deck builds, particularly those requiring a reliable defender or a cost-effective creature with the ability to disrupt opponent strategies.
Combo Potential: When teamed up with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or being sacrificed, this gatekeeper can be an integral part of powerful combo plays, providing not just defense but also strategic advantages.
Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s efficient mana cost and its role in thwarting creature-focused decks, Shinka Gatekeeper is well-suited for the current metagame. It’s an excellent low-cost option for players looking to refine their deck’s competitive edge.
How to beat
Shinka Gatekeeper is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, bringing a particular challenge to the battlefield. As with many cards that possess the ability to control the pace and plays of the game, strategic thinking is required to overcome its influence. Dealing with this card efficiently involves understanding its strengths and identifying key moments when its abilities can be neutralized or bypassed.
One effective strategy is to remove it before its ability to threaten becomes active. Utilizing instant-speed removal spells can disrupt the opponent’s plans to capitalize on the Gatekeeper’s benefits. Spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push offer a swift solution to this potential roadblock. Equally, taking advantage of its lack of hexproof or shroud abilities means that direct damage spells are also a viable option to clear your path to victory.
Summing up, a careful and timely response is crucial when facing a Shinka Gatekeeper. Efficient removal, the use of counterspells, or simply overwhelming the board with creatures that outmatch it in power and toughness can ensure that the Gatekeeper’s presence is short-lived, and your path to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shinka Gatekeeper MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Shinka Gatekeeper 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 Shinka Gatekeeper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |