The Gaffer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Halfling Peasant
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Drawing extra cards with The Gaffer generates significant card advantage and strategic depth.
  2. Its ability to instantaneously react during gameplay provides tactical flexibility and control.
  3. The necessity for specific mana can challenge deck building, especially in multicolor strategies.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Gaffer MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 The Gaffer and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

At the beginning of each end step, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, draw a card.

On the growing of vegetables, especially potatoes, Master Hamfast Gamgee was recognized as the leading authority by all in the neighborhood.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Gaffer provides an edge by drawing additional cards, crucial for surpassing opponents in resources and options.

Resource Acceleration: It boosts your resource pool, speeding up your ability to play high-cost spells and overwhelm the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed nature permits reactive gameplay, allowing strategy adjustments in response to opponents’ actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Gaffer demands that you discard a card to activate its key abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly, especially in scenarios where maintaining a range of options is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The Gaffer’s activation cost is not merely a matter of quantity but also of a specific mana type mix. This may pose a challenge in multicolor decks that are not tailored to consistently provide the right mana combination.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the cost versus output, The Gaffer’s necessity for a significant mana investment may be inefficient compared to lower-cost cards that could be more immediately impactful or flexible in a variety of situations.


Reasons to Include The Gaffer in Your Collection

Versatility: The Gaffer is a multifaceted card that can seamlessly augment a variety of decks. Its unique abilities can adapt to changing board states and strategies, proving invaluable for dynamic gameplay.

Combo Potential: With its ability to synergize with numerous cards, The Gaffer elevates deck mechanics by enabling powerful combinations that can swiftly alter the course of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the flux of the competitive landscape, The Gaffer’s relevance can vary. Nevertheless, in the appropriate meta, it has the potential to outmaneuver prevalent deck archetypes, making it a worthy addition to any strategic player’s arsenal.


How to beat

Mastering the art of countering cards in Magic: The Gathering is essential for gaining the upper hand against formidable cards like The Gaffer. This particular card can be a tough nut to crack with its potential to disrupt your strategy. It’s all about timing and resource management to ensure you emerge victorious. Implementing a well-timed removal spell or possessing the ability to lock it down before it can flex its powers is key – consider spells like Path to Exile or Counterspell, as these can neutralize The Gaffer before it becomes too much of a problem.

To outsmart your opponent using The Gaffer, maintaining a keen eye on your own resource pool is crucial. Ensuring you have the right mana for instant spells can ultimately tip the scales in a match where The Gaffer is present. Prioritizing threats and keeping mana open for responses during your opponent’s turn help you stay one step ahead. Another effective approach is to employ creatures with abilities that can bypass The Gaffer’s influence, like those with hexproof or shroud. The perfect combination of strategy and patience will dismantle the advantage that The Gaffer may confer to your adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Gaffer is an MTG card that may swing the tide of battle in your favor with its card draw and resource acceleration, but it comes with potential downsides such as a specific mana demand and a discard requirement. Recognizing these factors is essential in optimizing your deck’s strategy. For those intrigued by artifact dynamics and instant speed interactions, The Gaffer is an enticing card to consider. Enhance your artifact deck’s capabilities and outwit opponents by integrating The Gaffer into your strategy. Ready to unearth more deckbuilding tactics and optimize with The Gaffer? Dive deeper with us and enrich your MTG arsenal.


Cards like The Gaffer

The Gaffer is an intriguing component in any MTG player’s deck, with abilities and synergies that can be paralleled to a few noteworthy cards. Comparable to the likes of renowned creatures such as Tuktuk the Explorer, The Gaffer provides a unique advantage. While Tuktuk offers a token upon death, The Gaffer takes a proactive approach, accentuating the importance of artifact creatures.

Another card that echoes The Gaffer’s artifact-loving nature is Emry, Lurker of the Loch. Both capitalize on the vast potential of artifact synergy, but The Gaffer, unlike Emry, is less restrictive and does not limit activation to once each turn. We also see resemblances with Chief of the Foundry who indiscriminately buffs artifact creatures. However, The Gaffer’s focus on enabling creature artifacts to tap and untap gives it a unique tactical depth, making it a versatile choice in artifact-centric decks.

When comparing strengths, The Gaffer certainly makes a case for inclusion in strategies that revolve around artifacts, specifically when compared to similar MTG cards. The potential for creating dynamic plays and its artifact-centric abilities places it as an interesting option for players who favor interactive and versatile gameplay.

Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions
Emry, Lurker of the Loch - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Foundry - MTG Card versions
Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions
Emry, Lurker of the Loch - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Foundry - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Gaffer by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Prelate - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Prelate - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions

Printings

The The Gaffer Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Tomas Duchek.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 962015NormalBlackTomas Duchek
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 122015NormalBlackTomas Duchek
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4142015NormalBlackTomas Duchek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Gaffer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Gaffer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 If you haven't gained 3 or more life by the time an end step begins, The Gaffer's ability won't trigger at all.
2023-06-16 The Gaffer's ability looks at how much life you've gained in the turn, even if it wasn't on the battlefield when you gained life. It doesn't care if you also lost life, even if you lost more life than you gained.
2023-06-16 You draw just one card, no matter how much life you've gained past 3 life.