Gideon, the Oathsworn MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Gideon |
| Released | 2019-05-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | War of the Spark |
| Set code | WAR |
| Loyalty | 4 |
| Number | 265 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Key Takeaways
- Generates card advantage and battlefield presence through the creation of Knight tokens.
- His loyalty abilities offer strategic flexibility by empowering creatures at instant speed.
- While powerful, Gideon requires careful play to avoid unfavorable discards or mana constraints.
Text of card
Whenever you attack with two or more non-Gideon creatures, put a +1/+1 counter on each of those creatures.
+2: Until end of turn, Gideon, the Oathsworn becomes a 5/5 white Soldier creature that's still a planeswalker. Prevent all damage that would be dealt to him this turn. (He can't attack if he was cast this turn.)
-9: Exile Gideon, the Oathsworn and each creature your opponents control.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gideon, the Oathsworn offers a significant boost when it hits the battlefield. His ability to create Knight tokens not only presents a threat on the board but also adds to your arsenal, effectively providing you with additional cards in the form of creatures.
Resource Acceleration: Known for his resilience, Gideon, the Oathsworn potentially accelerates your battlefield presence by giving you the means to amass a considerable force without expending additional cards from your hand. This allows for efficient use of resources and maintains pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: While Gideon, the Oathsworn himself isn’t an instant, his activated loyalty abilities can be utilized at the speed of an instant, particularly when giving your creatures indestructible until the end of turn. This is a tactical advantage that can surprise opponents and turn the tide of combat in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gideon, the Oathsworn requires a specific action to activate some of his abilities. This can sometimes force you to make unfavorable trades or decisions, especially if your hand is already scant.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a white and two generic mana for casting, making it a less flexible inclusion in multi-colored decks. Ensuring the necessary white mana is available can often dictate the pace and construction of your deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is substantial, Gideon, the Oathsworn competes with other impactful cards in the four mana slot. Players must weigh the strategic benefits of including him over other options that could offer broader versatility or immediate board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gideon, the Oathsworn is a multitool for various white decks. Its ability to transform into an indestructible creature and empower other creatures makes it a fit for both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: Known for being a linchpin in several combos, Gideon’s unique abilities can be paired with cards that benefit from loyalty counters or from having a planeswalker becoming a creature.
Meta-Relevance: Given the current landscape of games, Gideon, the Oathsworn adapts well against a variety of deck types. Its decisive ultimate ability can tilt the game in your favor, making it a smart choice for those looking to remain competitive.
How to Beat
Gideon, the Oathsworn is a formidable presence in any MTG deck, renowned for its ability to create a quick and powerful board state. When facing this specific planeswalker, a key strategy revolves around aggressive removal. Employing instant-speed removal spells can catch your opponent off-guard, especially when Gideon is delivered onto the battlefield and his loyalty abilities are yet to be activated.
Additionally, focusing on direct damage spells that can target planeswalkers creates pressure, forcing the opponent to protect their investment or lose it. Board wipes also provide an efficient clean slate, handling Gideon and other potential threats simultaneously. Managing your resources to keep these answers readily available is crucial. This can often circumvent the buildup of a board state that Gideon, the Oathsworn aims to establish and maintain throughout the match. Timing and resource management against such a powerful planeswalker are as vital as the spells you choose to include in your deck.
Ultimately, preparation and strategic foresight into your deck’s construction will grant you the upper hand when going toe to toe with Gideon, the Oathsworn. Balancing removal with board presence can tilt the scales in your favor, allowing you to navigate around this MTG card’s strengths and claim victory.
Cards like Gideon, the Oathsworn
Gideon, the Oathsworn stands out in the landscape of planeswalker cards in MTG. Sharing some similarities, Gideon Blackblade also offers robust support to creatures on the battlefield, with both cards showcasing Gideon’s characteristic focus on loyalty and martial prowess. Where Gideon, the Oathsworn impresses is in its ability to significantly empower creatures with +1/+1 counters, echoing the boosting power seen in Ajani Steadfast. However, unlike Ajani, which provides a more immediate and versatile boost, Gideon, the Oathsworn requires a bit more strategy and setup to fully utilize its potential.
In parallel, Elspeth, Sun’s Champion provides a comparable experience as a stakes-raising planeswalker. Both Elspeth and Gideon, the Oathsworn excel at creating creature tokens, which is key for players who favor a strategy revolving around overwhelming the board with a multitude of units. Elspeth’s ability to clear the board of large creatures, though, sets her on a different tactical path compared to Gideon’s direct buffs to existing creatures.
Assessing the utility and synergy offered by Gideon, the Oathsworn within the wide array of planeswalker cards in MTG reveals a valuable asset for decks that aim to cultivate a strong, creature-focused board presence and wish to dominate through outnumbering and outgunning opposing forces.
Cards similar to Gideon, the Oathsworn by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gideon, the Oathsworn MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Gideon, the Oathsworn 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gideon, the Oathsworn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gideon, the Oathsworn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | A non-Gideon creature is a creature that isn’t also a Gideon planeswalker. For example, Gideon’s Company is a non-Gideon creature. |
| 2019-05-03 | Any attacking Gideon creatures won’t get a +1/+1 counter, but as long as two or more attacking creatures aren’t Gideons, those attacking creatures each get a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2019-05-03 | Gideon’s first loyalty ability causes him to become a creature with the creature type Soldier. He remains a planeswalker with the planeswalker type Gideon. (He also retains any other card types or subtypes he may have had.) Each subtype is correlated to the proper card type: planeswalker is only a type (not a creature type), and Soldier is just a creature type (not a planeswalker type). |
| 2019-05-03 | Gideon’s first loyalty ability doesn’t count as a creature entering the battlefield. Gideon was already on the battlefield; he only changed his types. |
| 2019-05-03 | If Gideon becomes a creature the same turn he enters the battlefield, you can’t attack with him or use any of his abilities (if he gains any). |
| 2019-05-03 | If Gideon has 9 loyalty as you activate his last ability, he’ll be put into your graveyard and won’t be exiled. |
| 2019-05-03 | If damage that can’t be prevented is dealt to Gideon after his first loyalty ability has resolved, that damage will have all applicable results: specifically, the damage is marked on Gideon (since he’s a creature) and that damage causes that many loyalty counters to be removed from him (since he’s a planeswalker). Even though he’s also a creature, if Gideon has no loyalty counters on him, he’s put into his owner’s graveyard. |
