Gisa and Geralf MTG Card


Gisa and Geralf ensure a continuous card advantage by returning zombies from the graveyard to your hand. They enable resource acceleration, allowing you to cast zombies without depleting your hand’s resources. Despite their higher mana cost, they provide strategic consistency and combo potential in zombie decks.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Abilities Mill
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Gisa and Geralf enters the battlefield, put the top four cards of your library into your graveyard. During each of your turns, you may cast a Zombie creature card from your graveyard.

"These fiends are slightly less tolerable than you." "A sentiment that warms my heart, sister."


Cards like Gisa and Geralf

The MTG card Gisa and Geralf represent a unique force in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to cards such as Havengul Lich, the pair has a similar design revolving around bringing creatures back from the graveyard. Nevertheless, the sibling duo stands out with their unique caveat — they only target zombies.

In the same category, we also find cards like Grimgrin, Corpse-Born. It also leverages graveyard manipulation but adds a different flavor to gameplay through sacrifice and destruction strategies. On the other hand, Grimgrin’s power scales with every creature devoured, making it a potent threat when left unchecked, unlike the consistency offered by the Gisa and Geralf card.

Then we have The Scarab God, another benchmark in this discussion. Like Gisa and Geralf, The Scarab God is a zombie-themed card, but it also provides incremental damage and deck manipulation for commanding your board state. Notwithstanding, it also packs a massive punch with a larger mana cost and more considerable board sway.

To sum up, each card has its prowess in the Magic: The Gathering arena. Still, Gisa and Geralf indeed rank highly within the category of graveyard manipulation cards, attributable to their compelling synergy and strategic advantages.

Havengul Lich - MTG Card versions
Grimgrin, Corpse-Born - MTG Card versions
The Scarab God - MTG Card versions
Havengul Lich - MTG Card versions
Grimgrin, Corpse-Born - MTG Card versions
The Scarab God - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gisa and Geralf by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
Doomsday Specter - MTG Card versions
Possessed Aven - MTG Card versions
Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
Marsh Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Moroii - MTG Card versions
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Specter - MTG Card versions
Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions
Evil Twin - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Liege - MTG Card versions
Kathari Remnant - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Nullifier - MTG Card versions
Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
Notion Thief - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Predator - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
Doomsday Specter - MTG Card versions
Possessed Aven - MTG Card versions
Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
Marsh Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Moroii - MTG Card versions
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Specter - MTG Card versions
Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions
Evil Twin - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Liege - MTG Card versions
Kathari Remnant - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Nullifier - MTG Card versions
Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
Notion Thief - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Predator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gisa and Geralf permits you to pick a zombie card from your graveyard and add it to your hand every single turn. The endless recycling of your zombies throughout the game ensures access to steady card advantage which is crucial in any strategic play.

Resource Acceleration: With Gisa and Geralf on the battlefield, casting that one zombie card from your graveyard each turn doesn’t require extra resource use from your hand. This function accelerates your game resources, giving you an upper hand and making every round more enriched.

Instant Speed: Although Gisa and Geralf themselves may not possess instant speed capabilities, the synergy of their powers not only gives you sustained leverage but provides opportunities to bring out instant-speed zombies from your graveyard into play. This versatility opens up numerous game-changing strategies during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Gisa and Geralf card demands you to discard a card as an extra toll. Although this might enhance your graveyard strategy, it can be a drawback if your hand is low on cards. Constructing a careful deck strategy helps mitigate this downside.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirement for Gisa and Geralf includes blue and black mana. This specificity in color requirement makes it a less versatile option, restricting its use to zombie decks or similar blue-black configurations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Gisa and Geralf require four mana to cast, which is relatively high compared to other MTG cards offering similar effects. Hence, this may turn players to look for more mana-efficient alternatives within the game.


Reasons to Include Gisa and Geralf in Your Collection

Versatility: Gisa and Geralf shine in decks with a strong focus on zombies. It allows playing creatures from the graveyard, turning it into a renewable resource, enhancing strategic depth.

Combo Potential: Their ability to play a Zombie card from the graveyard each turn creates an opportunity for a variety of powerful combos in a dedicated deck, leveraging synergies with other zombie-type cards or necromancy-related spells.

Meta-Relevance: Given the evolving meta, Gisa and Geralf’s unique mechanic can make a powerful addition to various deck configurations. As the meta sways between control and tempo, the repeated creature recursion presents a threat that demands immediate answers from opponents, adding to its value in the current meta game.


How to beat

Gisa and Geralf, a powerful undead duo from Magic: The Gathering, presents an intriguing, yet challenging card to tackle. Much like the comparable Zombie Apocalypse, this pair holds potent playing power. They allow for continuous resurrection of Zombies from the graveyard, keeping a steady horde at their disposal. This offers endless possibilities and maintains relentless pressure upon their opponents.

Looking for a counteract? Try Scavenger Grounds. This handy land card, not unlike Rest in Peace, aims to intervene by exiling all cards from all graveyards at a moment’s notice. This disrupts the cycle of resurrection that Gisa and Geralf are typically known for. On top of that, Grafdigger’s Cage could act as a wise defensive move. Though it’s a powerful addition to any defense with its ability to prevent creatures in graveyards from entering the battlefield.

Upon closer review, it’s clear that there are several viable strategies to combat the intertwined might of Gisa and Geralf. These tactics mainly revolve around restricting their primary source of power, their zombie horde, from the graveyard. Keep these strategies in mind when going against this menacing MTG duo, and their power can surely be neutralized.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you adore the relentless drive of a zombie horde in Magic: The Gathering, then Gisa and Geralf are essential for your spectral arsenal. Their ability to consistently bring back zombies from the graveyard equips you with a strategy that can overwhelm opponents. Yet, challenges also attend them, such as the specific mana alignment and the higher casting cost. With careful deck construction, these drawbacks can be mitigated. Expand your understanding and learn how to master the grave forces with Gisa and Geralf, ensuring that no duel is an end, but another victory in the making. Discover more techniques and deck-building insights with us, and elevate your MTG strategy to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gisa and Geralf MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Eldritch Moon 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 Gisa and Geralf and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Gisa and Geralf Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Karla Ortiz.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 1832015NormalBlackKarla Ortiz
22016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 183s2015NormalBlackKarla Ortiz
32020-09-26The ListPLST EMN-1832015NormalBlackKarla Ortiz
42021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1502015NormalBlackKarla Ortiz
52023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 2332015NormalBlackKarla Ortiz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gisa and Geralf has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-07-13 Even though the cards portray the same characters, Gisa and Geralf has a different name than Ghoulcaller Gisa and Stitcher Geralf. Controlling Gisa and Geralf along with Ghoulcaller Gisa or Stitcher Geralf won't invoke the “legend rule.”
2016-07-13 If a Zombie card is put into your graveyard during your main phase and the stack is empty, you have a chance to cast it before any player may attempt to remove that card from your graveyard.
2016-07-13 If multiple effects allow you to cast a Zombie creature card from your graveyard, such as those of Gisa and Geralf and Karador, Ghost Chieftain, you must announce which permission you're using as you begin to cast the spell.
2016-07-13 If you cast one Zombie creature card from your graveyard and then have a new Gisa and Geralf come under your control in the same turn, you may cast another Zombie creature card from your graveyard that turn.
2016-07-13 Once you begin to cast the Zombie card, losing control of Gisa and Geralf won't affect the spell.
2016-07-13 You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions of the Zombie card you cast from your graveyard.
2016-07-13 You must pay the costs to cast that Zombie card. If it has an alternative cost, you may cast it for that cost instead.