Greenside Watcher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 122 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ryan Barger |
Key Takeaways
- Enables quicker plays by untapping lands, instrumental in Gate-based decks for a competitive edge.
- Despite some deck-building constraints, it offers considerable utility in mana-dense strategies.
- Pivotal in Gate-focused environments, Greenside Watcher can catalyze crucial game-changing turns.
Text of card
: Untap target Gate.
"The Izzet may incite war, but my duty is here. I will not abandon the wild."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Greenside Watcher doesn’t directly generate card advantage, but it synergizes well with decks that consist of numerous tapped lands or mana-generating artifacts. This synergy effectively allows for quicker utilization of other card advantages by untapping a key resource.
Resource Acceleration: The Watcher’s ability to untap a target land without a mana cost can lead to significant resource acceleration. This is especially beneficial in land-heavy strategies or decks that utilize lands with abilities that are mana-intensive.
Instant Speed: While Greenside Watcher’s ability is not at instant speed, its costless untap effect enables the player to leave mana open for instant-speed responses or end-of-turn plays. As a result, the card indirectly contributes to the deceptive nature of a player’s available resources during an opponent’s turn, keeping them uncertain of your reactive capabilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Greenside Watcher does not directly impose a discard cost, yet it’s important to note that any cards that synergize with it by untapping lands may require a discard, potentially depleting valuable hand assets.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands both green mana and generic mana for its casting. This specific requirement can sometimes restrict deck-building options, primarily if the strategy revolves around a multicolored deck with a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its ability to untap a gate, Greenside Watcher’s cost of two mana is slightly elevated when compared to other mana dorks or creatures with similar untapping abilities. In fast-paced games, this may hamper deck efficiency and tempo.
Reasons to Include Greenside Watcher in Your Collection
Versatility: Greenside Watcher proves valuable in decks that aim to maximize the use of lands and mana acceleration. Its ability to untap a Gate is handy in formats where Gatecrash set cards are prominent, supporting multicolor strategies efficiently.
Combo Potential: This card collaborates exceptionally well with Gate-type lands. In combination with cards that benefit from land untapping, Greenside Watcher can be part of an engine that unlocks massive mana in a single turn, fueling game-changing plays.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where Gates are part of the competitive scene, Greenside Watcher gains importance for its low-cost efficiency and ability to keep the mana flow consistent for casting pivotal spells without having to skip a beat.
How to beat
Confronting a Greenside Watcher in MTG can be a unique challenge given its ability to untap a target Gate. This offers a strategic advantage by potentially speeding up mana availability and consequently accelerating the deployment of large creatures or spells. Although not a formidable threat alone, the combo potential inherent in the Greenside Watcher’s ability makes it a piece worth addressing on the battlefield.
To effectively neutralize the advantages posed by Greenside Watcher, consider the use of removal spells to quickly dispatch the Watcher before the Gate synergy can be exploited. Spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can take it off the board at a low mana cost. Alternatively, counter the acceleration strategy by incorporating land destruction or land damping cards such as Ghost Quarter or Damping Sphere. Such strategies disrupt the flow of mana and Gate utilization, hindering your opponent’s plans and providing you with the upper hand.
Remember, keeping control of the tempo and preventing opponents from gaining too much value from their Gates is key. Efficiently managing the Greenside Watcher and its interactions allows you to maintain a steady course toward victory in your Magic: The Gathering matchups.
Cards like Greenside Watcher
Greenside Watcher is an intriguing card among those with the untap land mechanic in Magic: The Gathering. This card has a niche role by allowing players to untap a target Gate. Its closest relative in terms of functionality is Vine Trellis, which also offers the ability to provide additional mana, albeit through a different method. Unlike Greenside Watcher, Vine Trellis adds one green mana to your mana pool without the need for a Gate.
Another card that comes into play is Kiora’s Follower. This versatile card can untap not just lands, but any other permanent. It shares the mana acceleration facet with Greenside Watcher but outshines it with broader utility. Arbor Elf also treads a similar path, untapping forests that can be already optimized with lands like Stomping Ground to produce different types of mana. Although it lacks the Gate specificity, Arbor Elf offers a reliable mana boost early in the game.
Examining these options highlights Greenside Watcher’s unique place in MTG deck construction. It shines in decks heavily invested in Gates, combining synergies with land cards that typical untappers do not capitalize on, asserting its strategic importance in gate-centric decks.
Cards similar to Greenside Watcher by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Greenside Watcher MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Greenside Watcher 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 Greenside Watcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Greenside Watcher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | Greenside Watcher’s ability is not a mana ability. It uses the stack and can be responded to. |
