Ghave, Guru of Spores MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Fungus Shaman
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Its ability to produce Saproling tokens massively benefits multiple strategic approaches in gameplay.
  2. Ghave can exponentially grow board presence, pairing well with combo cards for potential game-winning plays.
  3. Flexibility at instant speed allows for tactical responses to shifting game conditions, offering significant advantages.

Text of card

Ghave, Guru of Spores enters the battlefield with five +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control: Create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token. , Sacrifice a creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghave, Guru of Spores is a formidable engine that thrives on generating +1/+1 counters enabling players to create an army of Saproling tokens. This persistent source of token generation ensures a steady flow of creatures that can be used for various strategies, be it defending, attacking, or exploiting sacrifice synergies.

Resource Acceleration: Ghave’s ability to convert +1/+1 counters into new tokens at instant speed creates significant resource acceleration. This allows players to expand their board presence swiftly and can be paired with other cards to unlock explosive combo potential, accelerating both your board state and your route to victory.

Instant Speed: The inherent flexibility of Ghave’s abilities being activated at instant speed is a tactical boon. It permits players to adapt to the ever-shifting battlefield, making crucial decisions on the fly—be it bulking up creatures to survive combat or spawning new tokens in response to an opponent’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ghave, Guru of Spores necessitates sacrificing a creature to activate one of its abilities. This can result in a decreased board presence or the loss of other valuable creatures which can significantly hamper your game strategy, especially when you’re unable to replenish your creatures quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghave’s mana cost requires three specific colors—green, white, and black—which makes it less flexible and harder to cast in multicolored decks. This can be particularly challenging in the early game or if your mana base is not well-tuned to accommodate such demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, which includes three colored mana, Ghave is relatively expensive compared to other commanders or creatures that could potentially be played sooner. This can lead to slower gameplay as you need a considerable amount of resources before being able to leverage Ghave’s abilities on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghave, Guru of Spores effortlessly adapts to a multitude of deck strategies, particularly those centered around tokens and counters. Its ability to generate saproling tokens and manipulate +1/+1 counters makes it a flexible pick for both aggressive and controlling builds.

Combo Potential: With its inherent ability to both produce tokens and proliferate counters, Ghave sets the stage for numerous combos. It partners exquisitely with persist mechanics, undying creatures, and any card that thrives on counter manipulation for potentially game-ending interactions.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta fluctuates, Ghave remains a formidable contender. Its place in the commander format is especially prominent, as it can influence the board state significantly, challenging opponents to find an answer or fall to an overwhelming token army or an intricate combo finish.


How to beat

Ghave, Guru of Spores demands attention the moment it enters the battlefield in a game of Magic: The Gathering. As a commander, Ghave presents a formidable challenge, synergizing with token generation and +1/+1 counters to create a massive army or generate significant value over time. Successfully countering Ghave’s influence involves prompt and strategic actions.

One reliable strategy is to limit Ghave’s ability to produce tokens and counters. Cards like Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence can disable Ghave’s activated abilities, stifling a central piece of its engine. Removal spells that can deal with both creatures and enchantments are also quite valuable, as they can manage potential combos that Ghave could exploit. Think of versatile options like Anguished Unmaking or Assassin’s Trophy for instant-speed interaction.

Managing the board state is also crucial. Sweeper spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, mitigating the overwhelming presence Ghave can establish. Keeping Ghave off the board by recurring removal or through exile effects means the board never gets out of control. In essence, prompt disruption paired with consistent control of the board state is key to overcoming the guru of spores.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the depths of strategy and boost your gameplay with Ghave, Guru of Spores. As a dynamic force in MTG, Ghave offers players a toolbox for creating and manipulating token armies and +1/+1 counters. Its synergy with various game mechanics opens the door to numerous strategies and combos that can tip the scales in your favor. Recognize its unique position in the meta and learn to harness its power for your deck. If you are keen on advancing your MTG skills and exploring new deck-building horizons, join us for insights and tips on optimizing Ghave for victory.


Cards like Ghave, Guru of Spores

Ghave, Guru of Spores stands out as a pillar in the commander format of Magic: The Gathering, especially for decks revolving around tokens and counters. When comparing it to other commanders like Marath, Will of the Wild, certain similarities can be noticed. Both can generate tokens and manipulate counters across the battlefield, but Ghave, Guru of Spores provides the added flexibility of moving those counters to produce more tokens without the need for mana once on the field.

Doubling Season is another powerhouse in the world of counter multiplicity and token generation. While not a creature, this enchantment doubles the value Ghave brings, amplifying the potential for exponential growth of tokens and counters. Mimic Vat, although it operates on a different axis by imprinting and copying creatures, can be synergized with Ghave’s token-generating ability, often leading to complex and rewarding board states for strategic players.

Examining the innate abilities and the interactions with other cards, it’s evident that Ghave, Guru of Spores fits into a unique niche of commanders. Its innate versatility and the potential for combo interactions make it a formidable contender in games, ensuring its distinctiveness in MTG competitive and casual circles alike.

Marath, Will of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Doubling Season - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Marath, Will of the Wild - Commander 2013 Oversized (OC13)
Doubling Season - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Mimic Vat - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Ghave, Guru of Spores by color, type and mana cost

Nethroi, Apex of Death - MTG Card versions
Ivorytusk Fortress - MTG Card versions
Armament Corps - MTG Card versions
Kathril, Aspect Warper - MTG Card versions
Vishgraz, the Doomhive - MTG Card versions
Drover of the Swine - MTG Card versions
Nethroi, Apex of Death - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Ivorytusk Fortress - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Armament Corps - The List (PLST)
Kathril, Aspect Warper - Commander 2020 (C20)
Vishgraz, the Doomhive - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Drover of the Swine - Alchemy: Wilds of Eldraine (YWOE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghave, Guru of Spores MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 Oversized and Commander 2011, 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 Ghave, Guru of Spores and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ghave, Guru of Spores Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011 OversizedOCMD 2002003normalblackJames Paick
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2002003normalblackJames Paick
32015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 1042015normalblackJames Paick
42016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2002015normalblackJames Paick
52018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 1572015normalblackJames Paick
62019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11372015normalborderlessSean O'Neil
72020-09-26The ListPLST C16-2002015normalblackJames Paick
82022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2162015normalblackJames Paick
92022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4982015normalblackJames Paick

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