Release the Gremlins MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Swaps opponents’ artifacts for gremlin tokens, leveraging both destruction and creature advantage.
  2. Flexibility at instant speed makes timing of disruption strategic and impactful.
  3. Demands specific mana investment, which can limit use in various deck builds.

Text of card

Destroy X target artifacts. Create X 2/2 red Gremlin creature tokens.

"Being an inventor means knowing how to use the tools at hand to make something great—or to bring it down." —Pia Nalaar


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Release the Gremlins shines by turning multiple artifacts into a swarm of Gremlins, effectively dismantling your opponent’s machinery while building your own board presence. This exchange often leads to a favorable shift in the control of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly boosting your mana pool, this card disrupts your opponent’s artifact-dependent strategies. Limiting their resources can indirectly accelerate your position by ensuring they have fewer options for quick plays or explosive turns.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Release the Gremlins at instant speed provides the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This keeps them guessing and allows you the tactical advantage to decide the most opportune moment to transform their assets into your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect of Release the Gremlins that could be considered a drawback is the absence of a discard requirement. While this might seem like a positive at first glance, it could lead to hands cluttered with artifact removal when facing off against non-artifact-centric decks. This limits the card’s versatility in various matchups.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Release the Gremlins is red-specific, demanding XXR in its casting cost. This requirement can be restrictive, particularly in multi-colored decks that may have trouble generating sufficient red mana consistently or would prefer to allocate resources to more versatile spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To maximize the value of Release the Gremlins, a significant amount of mana is needed, especially if you aim to destroy multiple artifacts. The XXR cost means that eliminating even just two artifacts and generating two Gremlins will already cost five mana, which might be too steep when considering other available options for artifact control that are lower in cost or offer additional benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Release the Gremlins is a flexible card, adept at slotting into numerous deck archetypes. It can act as artifact removal in response to heavily artifact-focused decks, while simultaneously providing a creature presence on the board.

Combo Potential: This card has intriguing combo potential, particularly in decks that capitalize on token generation. The gremlin tokens it creates could synergize with effects that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or sacrifice mechanics for greater value.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where artifacts play a crucial role, Release the Gremlins gains in value. It disrupts opponents’ strategies by removing key artifacts and shifts the tempo in your favor by developing your board presence with gremlin tokens.


How to beat

Release the Gremlins offers a unique mix of artifact removal and creature generation in Magic: The Gathering. This spell lets you destroy as many artifacts as you have mana to target and creates an equal number of 2/2 red Gremlin creature tokens. It sits comfortably alongside other artifact removal options like Shatterstorm or By Force but adds a distinctive twist by populating the battlefield with tokens.

To counterplay this impactful card, focus on strategies that limit the number of artifacts within your control. Holding back on playing out artifacts when expecting this spell can minimize losses. Including instant-speed removal or counterspells in your game plan enables you to disrupt Release the Gremlins before it takes effect, preserving your artifacts and denying your opponent the token advantage. Diversifying threats also makes it more difficult for your opponent to get a high return on their investment in the spell.

Understanding that timing and tactical placement of artifacts are crucial against Release the Gremlins ensures you maintain board presence and protect valuable resources. Successfully navigating against this card can entail a delicate balance but can ultimately turn what would be a severe setback into a manageable hindrance.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the nuances of MTG requires keen acumen, particularly when evaluating cards like Release the Gremlins. Its dual nature of artifact removal and token generation makes it a useful tool against artifact-laden opponents. If your deck thrives on tokens and battlefield presence, this card could be a worthwhile addition. Strategize against artifact-centric decks by leveraging this spell’s disruptive capabilities. Fine-tuning your game and countering popular strategies puts you a step ahead. Amplify your MTG knowledge and enhance your deck-building skills by adding clever synergies like Release the Gremlins to your collection. Dive deeper with us and gain the edge in your next duel.


Cards like Release the Gremlins

Release the Gremlins finds its place in the roster of red spells offering both creature removal and token generation. Like By Force, which also excels in artifact destruction, Release the Gremlins provides a scalable effect, the intensity of which depends on the player’s mana investment. However, By Force lacks the advantage of generating Gremlin tokens, which Release the Gremlins provides, offering not just a disruptive play but also a tactical board presence.

Vandalblast is another spell that haunt artifact-heavy enemy boards. While it cannot give you creatures, its Overload cost can outmaneuver Release the Gremlins by sweeping all artifacts in one explosive play, an unmatched peak in mass removal. On the other hand, Release the Gremlins affords flexibility, allowing for tailored disruption while populating your side of the battlefield with tokens that can turn the tide of combat significantly.

Overall, while Release the Gremlins might not always have the raw power of some alternatives, its dual utility in creating creatures and dealing with artifacts simultaneously shapes it as a versatile option in a player’s arsenal, particularly in environments where artifacts loom large.

By Force - MTG Card versions
Vandalblast - MTG Card versions
By Force - Amonkhet (AKH)
Vandalblast - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Cards similar to Release the Gremlins by color, type and mana cost

Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Fireball - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Goblin Grenade - MTG Card versions
Mana Clash - MTG Card versions
Winds of Change - MTG Card versions
Detonate - MTG Card versions
Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions
Tremor - MTG Card versions
Blaze - MTG Card versions
Seething Anger - MTG Card versions
Gamble - MTG Card versions
Meltdown - MTG Card versions
Landslide - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Fire - MTG Card versions
Tahngarth's Glare - MTG Card versions
Lava Burst - MTG Card versions
Overmaster - MTG Card versions
Devil's Play - MTG Card versions
Firebolt - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - Tales of Middle-earth Commander (LTC)
Fireball - The List (PLST)
Disintegrate - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Goblin Grenade - The List (PLST)
Mana Clash - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Winds of Change - Masters Edition (ME1)
Detonate - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Meteor Shower - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Tremor - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Blaze - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Seething Anger - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Gamble - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Meltdown - Urza's Saga (USG)
Landslide - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Ghitu Fire - Invasion (INV)
Tahngarth's Glare - Apocalypse (APC)
Lava Burst - Deckmasters (DKM)
Overmaster - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Devil's Play - Shadows of the Past (SIS)
Firebolt - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Release the Gremlins MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Aether Revolt Promos, 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 Release the Gremlins and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Release the Gremlins Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 962015normalblackIzzy
22017-01-20Aether Revolt PromosPAER 96s2015normalblackIzzy
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10392015normalblackIzzy
42020-09-26The ListPLST AER-962015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Release the Gremlins has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Release the Gremlins card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-02-09 If an artifact becomes an illegal target for Release the Gremlins, it won’t change the number of tokens created. However, if every target artifact becomes an illegal target, Release the Gremlins doesn’t resolve and no tokens are created.
2017-02-09 The value of X is limited by the number of artifacts that you can target. You can’t target the same artifact more than once.
2017-02-09 You can target an artifact with indestructible. It won’t be destroyed, and you’ll still create X Gremlin tokens.

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