Gleaming Overseer MTG Card


Provides a creature and technical card advantage through its amass ability, enhancing board presence. Offers consistent in-game advantages with static abilities that protect and strengthen tokens. Demands precise deck-building around its mana cost to fully utilize its strategic potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Wizard
Abilities Amass
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Gleaming Overseer enters the battlefield, amass Zombies 1. (Put a +1/+1 counter on an Army you control. It's also a Zombie. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token first.) Zombie tokens you control have hexproof and menace.


Cards like Gleaming Overseer

The Gleaming Overseer finds its niche within the realm of creature cards in MTG, especially those with potent entering the battlefield effects. Comparable to it is the Hostage Taker, a card that also offers immediate impact by exiling an opponent’s creature or artifact until the Hostage Taker leaves the battlefield. Where the Gleaming Overseer provides a static bonus to your Zombie tokens by giving them hexproof and menace, the Hostage Taker comes with a dynamic ability that affects the board more tangibly by removing something outright.

Another card worth noting is Aven Eternal, which creates a flying Zombie token with the added value of amassing. While not providing the same static protections, it contributes a flying body which can be an advantage in certain board states. The Overseer edges out with providing ongoing utility to all of your Zombie tokens, not just a one-off token generation. Additionally, Diregraf Captain offers a direct comparison, as a Zombie lord that buffs your undead horde, also providing a death-triggered ability that punishes opponents, quite different from the Gleaming Overseer’s way of protecting and enhancing your token swarm.

Examining the unique roles these cards play reveals that while each has its strengths, the Gleaming Overseer’s ability to offer enduring protection to a player’s token strategy is a distinct and crucial element in MTG decks focused on Zombies, highlighting its distinct place in ongoing battlefield tactics.

Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Aven Eternal - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Aven Eternal - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gleaming Overseer by color, type and mana cost

Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When the Gleaming Overseer hits the battlefield, its ability to amass allows you to either strengthen an existing Army token or create one, effectively giving you an additional creature on the field without needing to play another card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Gleaming Overseer itself does not directly accelerate resources, its synergy with zombie tokens can complement strategies that rely on creatures entering the battlefield or dying, potentially unlocking new mana sources or drawing cards depending on the other cards in play.

Instant Speed: While the Gleaming Overseer is a creature that doesn’t have flash and must be played at sorcery speed, it provides static abilities that are always ‘on’ once it’s in play. This can disrupt opponents’ strategies at critical moments, especially since it gives hexproof to your Army, meaning it can’t be targeted by your opponents’ spells or abilities, which can be seen as a form of protection that’s always active.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gleaming Overseer’s value partly hinges on having other creatures to enhance with its hexproof ability, potentially making it less impactful when you’re behind on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: A mana cost that includes both blue and black may restrict it to only Esper or Grixis colored decks, limiting its versatility across the vast array of MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at three mana with a restrictive color requirement, this card can sometimes be a stumbling block in your mana curve, especially when faster, more efficient threats or protections are needed in the early game stages.


Reasons to Include Gleaming Overseer in Your Collection

Versatility: Gleaming Overseer is a valuable addition to decks that leverage Zombie tribal themes or focus on amassing tokens. Its ability to provide hexproof and menace to your Zombie tokens enhances their resilience and evasion on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This War of the Spark card pairs exceptionally well with other Zombie-based synergies. Integrating it into your strategy can set off a chain of powerful interactions, particularly in Blue-Black (Dimir) decks that exploit the graveyard and generate numerous tokens.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board control and protecting key creatures are crucial, Gleaming Overseer shines. With the ever-shifting meta, having cards that provide built-in protection against targeted removal can secure your position during matches, making it a strong consideration for competitive play.


How to beat

Gleaming Overseer is a strategic piece in any MTG player’s arsenal, especially within a blue-black amass deck. Its ability to grant a Zombie Army token hexproof and menace as it enters the battlefield can be a thorn in the side of any opponent. To effectively neutralize this threat, the key lies in timing and choosing the right removal spells. Using instant-speed removal before the Overseer’s ability resolves ensures the token never gains those pesky protections. Cards like Cast Down or Bedevil are perfect for this as they easily bypass the hexproof that hasn’t been set up yet.

Moreover, it’s beneficial to keep on hand spells that can neutralize multiple creatures or bypass the Overseer’s protections altogether. Board wipes like Ritual of Soot, which can clear out the board regardless of hexproof, should be part of your tactical lineup. Alternatively, sacrifice effects can force your opponent to choose and lose their vital creatures even if they are protected by the Overseer’s abilities. Having a plan to deal with both the Overseer and its subsequent buffs can make all the difference in coming out on top.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we delve deep into the essence of the Gleaming Overseer, it’s evident that its place on the battlefield can tip the scales in favor of savvy strategists. Its ability to amass and fortify your undead legion is not just a mere tactical advantage but a cornerstone for those who champion the shambling hordes. Acknowledging its strengths and potential restrictions is key to fully harnessing its power within your MTG collection. Seek out more wisdom, strategies, and insights to effectively include this card in your deck-building endeavors. Elevate your MTG experience and secure your wins with the strategic inclusion of the Gleaming Overseer. Discover more and dominate the board.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gleaming Overseer MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Midnight Hunt Commander, 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 Gleaming Overseer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gleaming Overseer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 1982015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa
22021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1512015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gleaming Overseer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 Army is a new creature type. It's possible to control a nontoken Army (perhaps a creature with the changeling ability) and, through combinations of other cards, it's possible to control multiple Army tokens. When instructed to amass, you may put +1/+1 counters on any of your Army creatures, and you may choose a different one each time.
2019-05-03 If you don't control an Army, the Zombie Army token that you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
2019-05-03 Some cards that cause you to amass also provide bonuses to “Zombie tokens.” These affect any token that happens to be a Zombie, not just a Zombie Army you've amassed.