Wellgabber Apothecary MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Cleric |
| Released | 2007-10-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Lorwyn |
| Set code | LRW |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 47 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brandon Dorman |
Key Takeaways
- Wellgabber Apothecary excels in card advantage, frequently replenishing your hand to outmaneuver opponents.
- Lifegain triggers from this card can significantly enhance resource acceleration in your gameplay.
- Acting at instant speed provides Wellgabber Apothecary with critical versatility during gameplay.
Text of card
: Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target tapped Merfolk or Kithkin creature this turn.
"You've discovered that boggarts bite, I see. And will the militia be chasing this lot? . . . Ah, you're staying in town to avoid Nath's hunt. Wise. Now this poultice . . ."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wellgabber Apothecary shines in providing card advantage by allowing its controller to potentially draw multiple cards over the course of several turns. The continual draw power it provides keeps your hand replenished, keeping the pressure on your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As an added benefit, Wellgabber Apothecary can boost your resource acceleration through its life-gain mechanism. By gaining life, it activates lifegain triggers or synergies with other cards, helping you leverage that life for additional resources or effects.
Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed gives Wellgabber Apothecary the tactical flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. This enables you to use it during the most opportune moment, whether that’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy or maximizing your own lifegain triggers when they’re most impactful.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Wellgabber Apothecary card comes with the condition of discarding another card, which may not always be advantageous, especially when your hand is limited, leaving you potentially vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a blend of blue mana and two others can pose a challenge in multicolored decks that may not have a consistent source of blue mana, thereby narrowing the card’s adaptability across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Wellgabber Apothecary asking for three mana to summon it to the field, players might find themselves weighing its benefits against other cards with similar or lower mana demands that provide immediate impact or better value throughout the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wellgabber Apothecary is a multifaceted card suitable for any deck seeking life gain and creature protection. Its ability to shield creatures from harmful effects is invaluable, whether you’re facing direct removal or combat tricks.
Combo Potential: This card can create powerful combos with strategies that thrive on life gain triggers or protective measures. For those clever enough to exploit its full potential, Wellgabber Apothecary can become the cornerstone of an intricate and unstoppable synergy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-centric decks are ever-present, Wellgabber Apothecary holds significant relevancy. Its unique properties can help shift the balance in your favor, potentially throwing off opponents’ strategies and giving you the upper hand in both casual and competitive play.
How to beat
Overcoming the Wellgabber Apothecary in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic play and understanding its strengths. As a creature that can shield your spells and other permanents from being countered, it’s essential to bypass this protection to maintain control of the game. One approach is to wait until your opponent is tapped out before playing vital spells, decreasing the chances of being disrupted by the apothecary’s ability.
Additionally, utilizing removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or global removal effects, can effectively clear the apothecary from the battlefield without interacting with its protective ability. This prepares the ground for your critical spells to resolve without obstruction. Spot removal can also be key if you bait the Wellgabber Apothecary’s ability early in the turn or sequence your plays to overwhelm your opponent’s mana resources and slip through their defenses.
Ultimately, maintaining pressure and being conscious of your opponent’s available mana when Wellgabber Apothecary is in play, can tip the balance in your favor. Navigating around its spell protection opens up opportunities to assert dominance on the battlefield and pave your way to victory.
Cards like Wellgabber Apothecary
Wellgabber Apothecary is an intriguing component in the realm of creature cards with built-in protection mechanics in MTG. Its nearest relative is Benevolent Bodyguard, a creature that also offers a safeguard by sacrificing itself. While the Bodyguard is limited to protecting only creatures, the Apothecary casts a wider net, shielding any permanent type from low-cost removals or targeted spells.
Another similar option is Mother of Runes, which provides repeatable protection and does not require sacrificing to activate. However, it differs from Wellgabber Apothecary in that it can’t shield itself and is restricted to only one protection use per turn. In contrast, the Apothecary can proactively defend multiple permanents simultaneously if untapped mana is available, a notable strategic edge, particularly in multiplayer formats.
In essence, Wellgabber Apothecary stands out for its flexibility and potential for multi-use within a single turn, posing a significant tactical advantage against targeted interactions, setting it as a peculiar yet powerful protector in MTG’s vast arsenal of creatures.
Cards similar to Wellgabber Apothecary by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wellgabber Apothecary MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Wellgabber Apothecary 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 Wellgabber Apothecary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wellgabber Apothecary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-10-01 | Once the ability has resolved, all damage that would be dealt to that creature for the rest of the turn will be prevented, regardless of whether it’s tapped or untapped at the time that damage would be dealt. |
| 2007-10-01 | The targeted creature must be tapped when the ability is activated and when it resolves. It doesn’t need to remain tapped in between. |
