Gloomdrifter MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Zombie Minion
Abilities	Flying,Threshold
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	61
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Rex

Key Takeaways

Gloomdrifter allows for potent graveyard strategies and instant speed play, enhancing strategic diversity.
It demands a specific mana build and a discard, potentially affecting tempo and resources.
Versatility in a collection stems from its combo and metagame relevance, especially against creature-heavy decks.

Text of card

Flying Threshold When Gloomdrifter comes into play, nonblack creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn. (You have threshold if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gloomdrifter can potentially provide a significant edge by allowing the controller to exile cards from the opponent’s library, thinning their resources and improving the chances of drawing into more useful cards.

Resource Acceleration: Its ability to be exploited for various graveyard strategies can effectively hasten the deployment of larger threats or enable key abilities sooner, acting as a form of indirect acceleration.

Instant Speed: As a card that can be cast at instant speed, Gloomdrifter offers the flexibility to respond to the board state on the fly, adding a layer of complexity and strategy to game play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Gloomdrifter in your game, you’ll face the tough choice of discarding a card. This can put you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when your hand size is dwindling and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Gloomdrifter’s casting cost necessitates a precise combination of mana, including the often elusive black mana. This requirement can make it difficult to play unless your deck is finely tuned to produce the necessary mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a somewhat steep mana cost for casting, Gloomdrifter can be a heavy investment that might not align with your deck’s tempo. Players must weigh this cost against other potential cards that could offer a more immediate impact on the battlefield with a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gloomdrifter offers flexibility in deck building, fitting well into decks that utilize graveyard synergy or require evasion tactics with its flying ability.

Combo Potential: Gloomdrifter’s threshold ability allows for potential combos in decks that rapidly fill the graveyard, turning it into a powerful creature removal tool on par with more costly spells.

Meta-Relevance: As graveyard strategies often ebb and flow with the meta, Gloomdrifter remains a relevant choice for sideboards or main decks to counteract creature-heavy plays in the current environment.

How to Beat Gloomdrifter

Gloomdrifter makes a stealthy entrance in the realm of MTG, brandishing an ability that can unsettle numerous strategies with its potential to give creatures -1/-1 until end of turn. This can disrupt token strategies or creatures with only one toughness. But there are effective ways to neutralize this Nightstalker’s impact on the battlefield.

To counter Gloomdrifter’s influence, strategies might include bolstering your creatures’ toughness to withstand the -1/-1 effect or utilizing spells that can protect your creatures from targeted effects. White spells such as ‘Gods Willing’ offer protection from a color of your choice, thereby securing your creatures from Gloomdrifter’s debility. Another potent counter is to utilize instant-speed removal spells like ‘Swords to Plowshares,’ which can remove Gloomdrifter before its ability triggers. Playing around Gloomdrifter’s morph cost is also key. Be aware of the hidden mana cost and prepare accordingly. Additionally, include creatures with higher resilience or enter the battlefield effects that aren’t hampered by its -1/-1 ability.

Overall, facing Gloomdrifter requires strategic planning and a robust defense. By arming your deck with protective spells or sturdier creatures, you stand a firm chance against the dreadful shadow this creature casts on the field.

Cards like Gloomdrifter

Gloomdrifter moves through the shadowy realms of MTG with an air of subtlety, echoing characteristics found in other cards of the night. Much like Gloomdrifter, Nekrataal delves into the duel with the ability to eliminate a non-artifact, non-black creature upon entering the battlefield. Nonetheless, Gloomdrifter’s unique morph function enables a degree of unpredictability and stealth strategy that Nekrataal lacks.

The striking resemblance to Skinrender is apparent in its potential for creature removal. Skinrender, though, targets creatures already on the battlefield to weaken them with -1/-1 counters, whereas Gloomdrifter can sweep through and decimate those whose toughness is put to the test. Additionally, unlike Gloomdrifter, which requires careful timing to use its morph ability effectively, Skinrender demands no such tactical subtleties.

In essence, while other MTG cards exhibit similar destructive capabilities, the concealment and surprise afforded by Gloomdrifter’s morph ability distinguish it in gameplay, offering a distinct tactical advantage. This positions Gloomdrifter favorably among its counterparts, particularly for players who value unpredictability and precision in their combat strategies.

Cards similar to Gloomdrifter by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gloomdrifter MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Gloomdrifter and other MTG cards: