Apothecary Geist MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 4
2022-12-02 - Number 149
2023-03-21 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides life gain upon entering the battlefield, potentially influencing card synergies and player strategy.
- Lends a strategic layer with its mana cost and timing, fitting into a range of deck archetypes.
- Though it demands careful deck building, its versatility makes it a worthy collection addition.
Text of card
Flying When Apothecary Geist enters the battlefield, if you control another Spirit, you gain 3 life.
For some customers, the old apothecary shop still opens its doors.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Apothecary Geist features an enticing etb (enter the battlefield) effect that grants you life points upon arrival. This not only bolsters your life total but can also trigger synergies with other cards and mechanics that thrive on life gain, indirectly translating to card advantage by enhancing the value of your life-dependent cards.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or resources, the life gained from Apothecary Geist can be a precious buffer, allowing you to make strategic plays with a larger margin for risk. In certain deck archetypes, higher life totals can be converted into resources or advantageous trades on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: While Apothecary Geist itself isn’t an instant, the flexibility offered by cards that can interact at instant speed matters. Having a creature like Apothecary Geist means you don’t have to commit to it preemptively during your main phase, freeing up mana for instant-speed responses on your opponent’s turn prior to playing it during your next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Apothecary Geist may require you to discard another card when playing it, which can be particularly punishing if you’re already behind or looking to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This spirit demands a defined mana cost which includes white. This requirement can restrict the card’s integration, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently meet the white mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging a higher mana cost relative to its power and toughness could push players towards alternatives that provide a better stat-to-cost ratio or additional abilities.
Reasons to Include Apothecary Geist in Your Collection
Versatility: Apothecary Geist is a card that can serve multiple purposes within various deck archetypes. Its ability to provide life gain upon entering the battlefield can be a boon for decks looking to stabilize against aggressive strategies, making it a versatile addition to your deck.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that manipulate or benefit from life gain, Apothecary Geist can become part of a combo that helps you turn the tide of the game. It works well in decks that capitalize on ETB (Enter The Battlefield) triggers or in environments where life gain can be converted into a resource or victory condition.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where small creatures and aggressive tactics prevail, the life gain from Apothecary Geist can give you the necessary buffer to reach your late-game strategies. Its ghostly presence on the battlefield can deter attacks and allow you to maintain a healthy life total against the swiftest of opponents.
How to beat Apothecary Geist
Apothecary Geist is a unique card in the realm of MTG that can pose a challenge for players with its life gain ability when it enters the battlefield. One effective method to counter Apothecary Geist is through removal spells that can directly target and eliminate it before the life gain effect occurs. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile are perfect choices for this purpose as they are both efficient in terms of mana cost and can swiftly deal with the Geist.
Another strategy is to utilize counterspells to prevent Apothecary Geist from hitting the playfield in the first place. Counterspell or Mana Leak can be excellent tools in blue control decks that aim to keep the board clear of potential threats. Lastly, it’s crucial to keep pressure on the opponent by building a board presence that surpasses the life gain provided by Apothecary Geist, ensuring that its impact on the game is minimalized. Cards that offer recurring damage or those that can grow over time like Scavenging Ooze may outpace the incremental life buffering from the Geist.
Overall, while Apothecary Geist can provide a temporary cushion with its life gain, with a solid strategy and the right cards, you can effectively negate its advantages and maintain control of the game state.
Cards like Apothecary Geist
Apothecary Geist joins the ranks of spirits in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of creature abilities that are mirrored across the pantheon of MTG cards. Known for its ability to gain life upon entering the battlefield, it is comparable to cards such as Lone Missionary. Lone Missionary also grants a similar life-gain advantage but has a lower mana cost and toughness.
Analogous in effect to Apothecary Geist is Radiant Fountain, which is a land card rather than a creature but still provides immediate life gain when it comes into play. This noncreature alternative offers an immediate increment in life total without consuming a spell slot, albeit without the benefit of a body on the board.
Another parallel can be drawn with Kitchen Finks, a creature card that not only gives life upon entering but also when it persists after death. Though it comes with a higher mana investment, the potential for recurring life gain can prove more valuable over the course of a game. In the grand tapestry of available MTG cards, Apothecary Geist holds its place by offering a straightforward, efficient life-gain mechanic paired with a flying creature to influence the battlefield’s dynamics.
Cards similar to Apothecary Geist by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Apothecary Geist MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Apothecary Geist 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 Apothecary Geist Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 149 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Apothecary Geist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
