Elder Gargaroth – Core Set 2021 MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

It’s not printed on the card, but I’m pretty sure this guy is related to Throne of Eldraine‘s Questing Beast. Look at that enormous mass of keywords, and that list of possible effects you can get when he attacks. I’m not sure that terms like “combat efficiency” or “card advantage” even cover it! It’s going to be very hard for Standard decks to beat him in combat – even the mono-white lifegain decks are going to have to make space for Banishing Light. 

Although, it’s just as scary that he might not be fast enough for formats like Modern!

I don’t know if it was intentional, but this species’ name is similar to certain Elvish words invented by J.R.R. Tolkien that relate to “terror”, as in “Ered Gorgoroth”, the Mountains of Terror. Intentional or not, it’s apt.

Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 5/5
Limited: 5/5
Multiplayer: 4/5
Commander: 4/5

The latest addition to the “disgustingly overloaded green creature” archetype, the only thing Elder Gargaroth seems to lack is haste. Besides that, it’s disgustingly good value for just five mana, thanks to getting your choice of life, a warm body, or a card each time it attacks or blocks. And as a 6/6 with vigilance and trample, there’s little incentive for it to do anything other than attempt to smash. The downside is that it is susceptible to kill spells before it ever gets to accrue damage, but perpetually saying “I win combat” is still a nice place to be, and it’s especially rude with a card that can give it haste (such as Rhythm of the Wild).

Constructed: 4.25
Casual: 4.75
Limited: 5
Multiplayer: 4
Commander: 4.5