Gorilla Tactics MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 76
2021-08-20 - Number 76
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Provides card advantage and boosts creatures’ power when discarded, giving players an edge in resources.
- Instant-speed allows for tactical plays, making it adaptable to change battlefield conditions quickly.
- Restrictive mana requirements can limit playability, but offers notable sideboard potential against discard strategies.
Text of card
Create a 2/2 green Gorilla creature token. When a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard CARDNAME, create two 2/2 green Gorilla creature tokens.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gorilla Tactics shines by potentially offering you an extra card when discarded, letting you stay ahead in the resource war.
Resource Acceleration: This card can expedite your game plan by enabling a swift and aggressive playstyle, pressuring your opponents earlier in the match.
Instant Speed: Its instant speed versatility means you can adapt to the battlefield on the fly, responding to threats immediately or simply increasing your board presence at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gorilla Tactics calls for you to discard a card, an extra cost that can be burdensome when your hand is nearly empty. This trade-off can lead to tricky situations where the choice to trigger its power might cost you valuable hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s demand for precise mana, including both green and red, can restrict its playability. Decks without a dedicated mana base for these colors might struggle to cast Gorilla Tactics efficiently, if at all.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Essential to Gorilla Tactics’ functionality is a three-mana investment that may overshadow other, more agile options available to players. In a fast-paced game, the cost of including this card in your deck could outweigh its potential combat benefits, making it a sometimes costly addition to your arsenal.
Reasons to Include Gorilla Tactics in Your Collection
Versatility: Gorilla Tactics is adaptable to various deck builds, offering a quick answer to hand disruption through unexpected creature generation.
Combo Potential: The instant speed of this card allows players to craft surprise combinations, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature tokens or those that might need an extra blocker in a pinch.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment with prevalent discard strategies, Gorilla Tactics stands out as a viable sideboard card, deterring opponents from targeting your hand without considering the potential consequences.
How to Beat Gorilla Tactics
Gorilla Tactics is an intriguing combat trick in the world of Magic the Gathering that can catch an unsuspecting opponent off guard. This card can give a creature a sudden boost in power, potentially turning the tide of battle in your favor. Competing with other similar cards in its category, Gorilla Tactics offers players a surprise element when discarded, much like the effect of a card such as Psychotic Fury—which also provides a boost with the added benefit of granting double strike.
When facing Gorilla Tactics, a key strategy is to limit the opportunities for your opponent to use the card advantageously. This may mean avoiding forceful discard effects on your opponent when they have a full hand, or strategically choosing to play around combat tricks by not blocking in circumstances where Gorilla Tactics could be devastating. Instead, focus on controlling the board with removal spells or setting up unfavorable trades for your opponent where the impact of the card is minimized.
Remember that Gorilla Tactics is less efficient without the discard condition met. By understanding the environment and being cautious with the combat phase, you can mitigate the effect Gorilla Tactics has on the game, allowing you to maintain the upper hand over this deceptive card.
Cards like Gorilla Tactics
Gorilla Tactics finds its niche in the repertoire of combat trick cards within Magic: The Gathering, taking its place beside comparable cards like Giant Growth. Like Giant Growth, it provides a temporary boost to a creature’s power, but Gorilla Tactics adds a layer of complexity, doling out an additional card when discarded by an opponent’s spell. Giant Growth lacks this strategic depth, simply offering a larger and more immediate power increase.
Another parallel can be drawn with Unearth, which also triggers an advantageous effect when discarded – in this case, returning a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield. While both cards share the discard synergy, Unearth is valued for its board impact, whereas Gorilla Tactics is primed for surprise and hand advantage scenarios. Then there’s Insolent Neonate, sharing the penchant for self-discard to trigger effects, yet its strategy is aimed more towards filtering through your deck, contrasting with Gorilla Tactics’ combat-focused design.
Across the board, Gorilla Tactics holds a unique position. Its dual-purpose as a combat trick and a means to an end when targeted by discard spells, adds an unusual twist to gameplay, ensuring it stands out among similar MTG cards.
Cards similar to Gorilla Tactics by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gorilla Tactics MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Gorilla Tactics 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 Gorilla Tactics Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Jiachen Tao.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 76 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jiachen Tao | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 76 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jiachen Tao |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gorilla Tactics card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | If a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to make a choice and you choose to discard Gorilla Tactics, its last ability will trigger. |
| 2019-11-12 | In a Magic game, cards are discarded only from a player’s hand. Effects that put cards from a player’s library into that player’s graveyard do not cause those cards to be discarded. |
| 2019-11-12 | This card’s name is far too similar to the existing card Guerrilla Tactics. It’ll be changed during creative review. |
