Gloomlance MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Number	67
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Key Takeaways

Gloomlance offers card advantage by combining creature removal with the potential to draw a card.
Instant speed allows players to react efficiently, enhancing strategic flexibility in games.
Demands careful hand and mana management due to discard and specific mana cost requirements.

Text of card

Destroy target creature. If that creature was green or white, its controller discards a card.

Death stings the victim only once, but those left behind feel the pain of loss with every passing memory.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The power of Gloomlance lies in its ability to potentially remove a creature while drawing a card, thereby not losing card equity in the exchange. This can keep your hand full while dealing with threats.

Resource Acceleration: Gloomlance, while primarily a removal spell, could potentially accelerate your resources by allowing you to reconfigure your mana through its additional effects, depending on its specific mechanics.

Instant Speed: If Gloomlance can be cast at instant speed, it provides the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves on their turn. This ensures that you can efficiently manage your mana and choose the most opportune moment to act.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Using Gloomlance can present a challenge when you’re grappling with hand management. This card necessitates the discarding of another card, which can be a setback if you’re already starved for cards in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Gloomlance’s mana cost is not only specific but also restrictive, demanding both black and green mana. This requirement can pose a limitation, particularly in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Gloomlance provides a removal effect, the cost you pay is considerably steep when compared to other removal options in the game. Its four-mana price point might deter players, especially when looking to maximize efficiency in gameplay.

Reasons to Include Gloomlance in Your Collection

Versatility: Gloomlance proves to be a formidable addition to any black deck, fitting seamlessly into various strategies with its ability to remove threats on the board. Its inherent flexibility as removal makes it a staple in both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: Gloomlance can synergize with decks that capitalize on death triggers or graveyard mechanics, providing a dual benefit as both a removal option and an enabler for combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Amidst an MTG meta that frequently sees resilient creatures and value-driven gameplay, Gloomlance holds its ground by efficiently dealing with key targets, thereby disrupting opponent strategies and maintaining tempo.

How to beat

Gloomlance is a card that necessitates strategic play in MTG. This removal spell can turn the tide of the game by eliminating key creatures. To combat it, consider diversifying your threats. Having a blend of creatures along with enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers can make it harder for your opponent to effectively use Gloomlance. Also, investing in hexproof or indestructible creatures can directly counteract removal spells such as Gloomlance, negating their effectiveness altogether.

Another line of defense against Gloomlance involves using counterspells. Warding off Gloomlance with a well-timed counterspell can protect your board and maintain your momentum. Moreover, playing creatures that provide value upon entering the battlefield or when they die, such as those with ‘Enter the Battlefield’ or ‘Death’ triggers, can ensure you get benefits regardless of your opponent’s removal actions.

Lastly, pay attention to your opponent’s mana. Gloomlance may be restrictive due to its specific mana requirement. Applying pressure while your opponent is still setting up their mana base can put you at an advantage, potentially forcing them to use Gloomlance suboptimally or before they are ready. By considering these strategies, you can effectively diminish the impact of Gloomlance on your game plan and retain control of the match.

Cards like Gloomlance

Gloomlance enters the arena of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering with an intriguing mix of effects. Cards like Murder offer a straightforward approach, allowing you to destroy any target creature for the same cost without any additional clauses. Unlike Gloomlance, Murder doesn’t require controlling a legendary creature, but it also doesn’t provide the potential life gain that Gloomlance offers when the condition is met.

Comparing Gloomlance to other removal options, Cast Down comes to mind. Cast Down is more mana-efficient, requiring only two mana. However, it has a restriction, as it cannot target legendary creatures. This can sometimes limit its utility when up against decks with notable legendary threats. Gloomlance doesn’t have such a restriction, but the legendary creature condition for its added benefit could be considered a trade-off against Cast Down’s lower cost.

Considering the interplay of mana cost, conditions, and additional benefits, Gloomlance presents a compelling option within the removal category. It offers strategic depth for players running decks with legendary creatures, making it a potential staple for certain builds that make the most of its synergistic life gain effect.

Cards similar to Gloomlance by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gloomlance MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Gloomlance and other MTG cards: