Locthwain Gargoyle MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 225
2022-12-02 - Number 783
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Gargoyle |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Flexible activation for flight makes Locthwain Gargoyle a tactical defender and opportune attacker.
- Efficient mana cost and instant speed transition allow for agile board control.
- Inclusion in decks benefits from the Gargoyle’s adaptability to various game situations.
Text of card
: Locthwain Gargoyle gets +2/+0 and gains flying until end of turn.
"As the traitor hurried across the courtyard, its eyes snapped open. It was time to pay the queen a visit." —*Beyond the Great Henge*
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Locthwain Gargoyle may not offer direct card draw, but its ability to turn into a flyer provides a strategic asset, offering more opportunities for damage and board control.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, this card’s low casting cost makes it an efficient play. Quickly adding a creature to the battlefield can be instrumental in ramping up your offensive strategy.
Instant Speed: While Locthwain Gargoyle itself isn’t an instant, its activation cost can be paid at instant speed, allowing flexibility in choosing when to transform it into a threat, thus keeping your opponents guessing and optimizing your tactical plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Activating Locthwain Gargoyle’s ability to gain flying until end of turn does not necessarily require discarding a card but does come with a separate cost which might deplete your resources, especially if you are trying to use this feature multiple times.
Specific Mana Cost: Although a generic mana cost implies flexibility, it still demands a certain investment to get the most out of the card, specifically in the early game where every mana point is vital for setting up your board.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The necessity to spend mana to activate Locthwain Gargoyle’s flying ability on a regular basis can be seen as a drawback. There are alternatives that offer flying without additional mana investment, thus providing a more economical and permanent evasion ability.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Locthwain Gargoyle offers a reliable early defensive option that can adapt to various situations, becoming a potential attacker later in the game.
Combo Potential: With its ability to gain flying, the card can seamlessly integrate into artifact and flying-centric synergies, increasing its combative impact on the board.
Meta-Relevance: As a cost-efficient artifact creature, Locthwain Gargoyle can be particularly effective in metas where stalling aggressive decks is paramount, offering an early game blocker that can transition into an aerial threat.
How to beat
Locthwain Gargoyle presents itself as a stout defender in the early turns of a Magic: The Gathering match. It boasts the ability to become a flyer for a small investment of mana and is known for its capacity to block aggressive creatures in the early game. However, despite its resilience, there are effective ways to neutralize this airborne stone sentinel.
Firstly, creature removal spells are a straightforward solution. Since Locthwain Gargoyle is not particularly resistant to spells, something as simple as a Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch it without much fuss. Alternatively, enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism can render the Gargoyle ineffective, transforming it into a mere decoration on the battlefield.
For those looking to outmaneuver rather than outright destroy, counterplay involves outpacing it with creatures that boast higher power and toughness. This renders the Gargoyle’s blocking ability less impactful. Lastly, in a deck that leverages flying creatures, simply overwhelming the board with aerial threats can often bypass the gargoyle’s defensive posture, leaving the opponent vulnerable. By considering these strategies, players can effectively counter Locthwain Gargoyle’s defensive stance and maintain the upper hand.
Cards like Locthwain Gargoyle
Locthwain Gargoyle presents itself as a versatile common artifact creature, joining the ranks of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares features with various other one-drop artifact creatures like Gingerbrute, which also allows you to take early game actions. The Gargoyle stands out with its defensive capability, offering a solid blocker with an affordable activation cost to become a flying attacker. Gingerbrute excels in being evasive from the start, enabling it to swing early if unblocked.
Stonework Packbeast is another card that falls into a comparable category due to its artifact nature and mana cost. However, the Packbeast provides mana flexibility by being able to add one mana of any color, which can be crucial for fixing in multi-colored decks. While it lacks the ability to fly, its utility in mana fixing cannot be overlooked.
Looking at the larger picture, Locthwain Gargoyle offers a balance between early defensive stability and late-game offensive potential. Its simple yet effective design gives it a suitable position within MTG’s range of one-cost artifact creatures, making it a card worthy of consideration in certain deck builds.
Cards similar to Locthwain Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Locthwain Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Locthwain Gargoyle and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Locthwain Gargoyle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 225 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 783 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Locthwain Gargoyle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Locthwain Gargoyle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-10-04 | You can activate Locthwain Gargoyle's ability multiple times during one turn, even if it already has flying. |
