Gerrymandering MTG Card


Gerrymandering - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Number59
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderSilver
Illustred byDoug Chaffee
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Gerrymandering enables card swapping at instant speed for dynamic gameplay and strategic depth.
  2. The card’s drawbacks include a specific mana cost and the risk of depleting your hand.
  3. Versatile and meta-relevant, Gerrymandering can reshape game dynamics and boost control decks.

Text of card

Remove all lands from play and shuffle them together. Randomly deal to each player one land card for each land he or she had before. Each player puts those lands into play under his or her control, untapped.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gerrymandering provides a distinct edge in gaining card superiority by letting you swap an unneeded card for potentially game-changing alternatives from the top of your library.

Resource Acceleration: It also contributes to resource acceleration by allowing the swapped card to be played immediately, which can be a major tempo boost.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed grants the flexibility to use Gerrymandering reactively, ensuring you can adapt to the evolving board state or counter an opponent’s threats on their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gerrymandering demands that you discard a card upon casting, which could deplete your hand especially when aiming to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a very particular mana setup to cast, limiting its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce the required colors, potentially hindering deck diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its high mana requisites, Gerrymandering can be less appealing in fast-paced games where players prefer lower-cost spells to maximize efficiency and board presence.


Reasons to Include Gerrymandering in Your Collection

Versatility: Gerrymandering is not just a simple utility card. Its ability to influence the battlefield at a granular level makes it a valuable asset in a variety of deck styles. Whether you’re playing control or tempo, Gerrymandering gives you a subtle but powerful lever to dictate combat outcomes.

Combo Potential: For those who love crafting intricate plays, Gerrymandering opens up avenues for combo interactions. Its capability to alter creature alignments can be harnessed to enable synergies with cards that rely on creature placement or to disrupt your opponent’s established board presence.

Meta-Relevance: Adaptability to the meta is a hallmark of any staple card. Gerrymandering’s utility in responding to widespread strategies makes it a smart addition for players looking to gain an edge. Especially effective in environments where board state and creature placement are key, this card can turn the tide of a match.


How to beat

Gerrymandering is a nuanced strategic card that can be both a boon and a bane in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Deck builders often incorporate a variety of responses to tackle opposing strategies, and this card is no exception. To effectively counter Gerrymandering’s ability to manipulate votes, players should consider including cards that allow them to change their vote or negate the ability altogether. For instance, employing instant-speed removal in response to the vote being called could disrupt the planned outcome. Additionally, cards that restrict the number of spells each player can cast during a turn can also be a deterrence, as they limit Gerrymandering’s wider impact on the game.

Another tactic is leveraging the political aspect of MTG by forming alliances with other players, thus reducing the influence of Gerrymandering’s controller. Lastly, focus on speed: executing a faster playstyle through aggro decks or swift combo finishes means less time for politics, and less impact from Gerrymandering. Adaptability and foresight are key, allowing one to react to the ever-shifting landscape of a game in which Gerrymandering makes an appearance.


Cards like Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering joins the roster of unique control cards in MTG, offering a distinctive edge in manipulating opponent’s strategies. It bears similarities to other blue spells like Fatespinner, inviting players to choose phases they must skip. While Fatespinner affects all aspects of a turn, Gerrymandering focuses on dictating land usage, crucial in disrupting mana curve and tempo—a valuable trade in games where pacing is vital.

Confounding Conundrum can be seen in a similar light, as it too interferes with land plays but through a different mechanism that punishes players for certain types of land drops. Gerrymandering’s approach is more about direct tampering with opponents’ access rather than penalizing them after the fact. Another card of note is Mana Short, which also targets the land resources but by emptying mana pools, effectively neutering an opponent’s planned out turn. This shutdown capability parallels Gerrymandering’s pre-emptive control.

When evaluating the strategic advantage of different control spells in MTG, Gerrymandering stands out. It offers a proactive measure to restrict opponents and can be a game-changer by skewing the resource balance early on, making it a card that can effectively reshape a match’s dynamics.

Fatespinner - MTG Card versions
Confounding Conundrum - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Fatespinner - MTG Card versions
Confounding Conundrum - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gerrymandering by color, type and mana cost

Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
Tranquility - MTG Card versions
Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
Fallow Earth - MTG Card versions
Untamed Wilds - MTG Card versions
Wing Snare - MTG Card versions
Squall - MTG Card versions
Deep Reconnaissance - MTG Card versions
Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Gift of the Gargantuan - MTG Card versions
Trip Wire - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Lair Delve - MTG Card versions
Search for Tomorrow - MTG Card versions
Culling Mark - MTG Card versions
Lead the Stampede - MTG Card versions
Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
Tranquility - MTG Card versions
Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
Fallow Earth - MTG Card versions
Untamed Wilds - MTG Card versions
Wing Snare - MTG Card versions
Squall - MTG Card versions
Deep Reconnaissance - MTG Card versions
Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Gift of the Gargantuan - MTG Card versions
Trip Wire - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Lair Delve - MTG Card versions
Search for Tomorrow - MTG Card versions
Culling Mark - MTG Card versions
Lead the Stampede - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks