Gnarlid Pack MTG Card
2010-02-05 - Number 101
2014-06-06 - Number 166
2015-05-22 - Number 144
2019-11-07 - Number 1223
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-144
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Multikicker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Gnarlid Pack’s multikicker provides versatility, growing its board presence as mana availability increases.
- Efficient mana use with multikicker positions Gnarlid Pack as a potential major threat on the battlefield.
- Multi-faceted approach to gameplay makes it a compelling choice for decks prioritizing adaptable creature cards.
Text of card
Multikicker (You may pay an additional any number of times as you cast this spell.) Gnarlid Pack enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each time it was kicked.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gnarlid Pack may not draw cards directly, but its multikicker ability allows you to control the value you get from it. Investing more mana when you can afford it means more creatures on the field, effectively giving you more presence and versatility with just one card from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gnarlid Pack isn’t a direct source of mana, the ability to pay the multikicker multiple times can swiftly escalate the number of creatures you have. This translates to increased pressure on the board, which may compel your opponent to react defensively, slowing down their own resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: While Gnarlid Pack is cast at sorcery speed, its potential synergies with cards that operate at instant speed can be formidable. For instance, casting it during your main phase leaves mana open for instants in the next phase, hence the versatility it provides aligns well with instant speed strategies in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Gnarlid Pack doesn’t directly demand you discard, but the potential card advantage is lost when you opt for its multikicker ability. Each additional counter requires resources often better served to further your board presence or held for reactive plays.
Specific Mana Cost: As a green creature, the Gnarlid Pack demands a specific mana type which may be challenging in multicolored decks requiring a tight mana base. It’s a critical aspect to consider when constructing your deck, ensuring you have adequate green sources to cast it efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The base cost of the Gnarlid Pack is manageable, but its strength lies in multikicker—a mechanic that can rapidly inflate the card’s cost. To fully utilize its potential, a substantial mana investment is needed, often diverting resources that could be used for more impactful spells or creatures within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Gnarlid Pack in Your Collection
Versatility: The Gnarlid Pack card can adapt to multiple deck builds, making it a useful asset for any player who appreciates flexible gameplay options. Its Multikicker ability allows it to be scaled according to the available mana, fitting either early game plays or late-game strategies where a larger creature is necessary.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its variable power and toughness, Gnarlid Pack seamlessly integrates into combos that revolve around creature size. It can synergize with cards that manipulate +1/+1 counters or creatures’ stats, unlocking new layers of strategic depth.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where board presence is crucial, Gnarlid Pack proves to be valuable. Its capacity to be a substantial threat if the mana is available makes it a card worth considering when facing off against decks that struggle with multiple creatures on the field.
How to Beat Gnarlid Pack
Gnarlid Pack is an intriguing creature card that can be pesky to deal with in Magic: The Gathering due to its flexible mana cost and potential to be a sizable threat on the battlefield. When you’re up against a Gnarlid Pack, taking control of the board early is essential. Use removal spells efficiently; spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can get rid of the Gnarlid Pack before the multiplier effect of its multikicker ability becomes a problem.
Alternatively, outpacing the growth potential of the Gnarlid Pack is another strategy. Deploying creatures that can grow bigger or offer more value over time, like Tarmogoyf or scavenging creatures, such as Scavenging Ooze, can offset the advantages of a multikicked Gnarlid Pack. Moreover, don’t underestimate the power of board wipes—if the Gnarlids start to overrun you, a well-timed Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God can reset the playing field.
Ultimately, while the Gnarlid Pack has the potential to stack up in power and toughness, it remains vulnerable to the classic answers that handle most creatures in the game. Keep your answers versatile, and the Gnarlid Pack won’t become an insurmountable obstacle.
Cards like Gnarlid Pack
Gnarlid Pack sits comfortably in the roster of creature cards that adapt to the game’s evolving state. It reminds us of cards like Kavu Titan, a creature that also brings the advantage of scalability to the table. While the Kavu Titan can either be a quick two-drop or a hefty 5/5 trampler when kicked, Gnarlid Pack offers a seamless scaling effect where you can pump more mana for an incrementally stronger creature without the need for a kicker cost.
Another creature it echoes is the Slime Molding card from Magic: The Gathering’s Return to Ravnica set. Similar to Gnarlid Pack, Slime Molding scales with the available mana, allowing players to customize the size of the creature. However, Slime Molding does not provide the creature type synergies that Gnarlid Pack does with its beast typing.
Linking these examples of flexible creatures, it’s clear that Gnarlid Pack holds its own as an adaptable force on the battlefield. While it might not possess flashy abilities, the virtue lies in its simplicity and the strategic options it offers regarding mana investment and creature size.
Cards similar to Gnarlid Pack by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gnarlid Pack MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Conspiracy, 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 Gnarlid Pack 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 Gnarlid Pack Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-02-05 | Worldwake | WWK | 101 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 166 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 144 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | MM2-144 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gnarlid Pack has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
