Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma MTG Card


Goreclaw excels in card advantage by reducing the casting cost of heavy hitters in your deck. This legendary bear accelerates your gameplay, allowing you to deploy threats and apply pressure early on. Retaining instant-speed mana reserves becomes easier, setting you up for formidable board control.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Bear
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

Creature spells you cast with power 4 or greater cost less to cast. Whenever Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma attacks, each creature you control with power 4 or greater gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

You don't want to know how she got that name.


Cards like Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma

Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma is an iconic creature card that resonates well with players looking to enhance their creature-heavy decks. When you assess cards that echo Goreclaw’s abilities, one that stands out is Rhonas the Indomitable. Rhonas offers a similar cost reduction for creatures, but with the added benefit of a deathtouch ability. While Rhonas requires a creature with power 4 or greater to attack, Goreclaw allows for a more extensive reduction across all your creatures.

Another card worth mentioning is The Great Henge, which not only reduces the cost of your creature spells based on the greatest power among creatures you control but also offers life gain and card draw with every creature spell cast. This provides a broader range of utility compared to Goreclaw. Then there’s Nylea, Keen-Eyed, which like Goreclaw, reduces the cost of creature spells. Nylea, however, brings a permanent, indestructible presence to the battlefield that doesn’t need to be triggered and can make creatures harder to block.

Despite these comparisons, Goreclaw stands out for its ability to give all your creatures trample and lower their casting cost, a feature invaluable in aggressive green decks aiming to overpower opponents quickly and efficiently.

Rhonas the Indomitable - MTG Card versions
The Great Henge - MTG Card versions
Nylea, Keen-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Rhonas the Indomitable - MTG Card versions
The Great Henge - MTG Card versions
Nylea, Keen-Eyed - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
The RockmanThe Rockman Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024
Gruul MidrangeGruul Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Gruul StompyGruul Stompy GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Sultai Acererak ComboSultai Acererak Combo PioneerGwenna Acererak ComboNRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma is adept at providing significant card advantage to players by reducing the cost of other creature spells you cast. This essentially means more creatures on the battlefield for less mana and the likelihood of having a full hand of actionable cards throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: The card shines in its ability to accelerate resource allocation. By reducing the cost of creature spells with power 4 or greater by 2 colorless mana, it allows for a faster and more efficient deployment of your heavy hitters, effectively speeding up your game and putting pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: Although Goreclaw itself is not an instant, its ability to reduce the mana cost of creature spells means you are more likely to keep mana available for instant-speed interactions. With the mana saved, you can respond to threats more effectively by casting spells that can alter the course of the game even during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This powerful creature doesn’t come with a discard requirement, ensuring your hand remains full to assist with the onslaught against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a mono-green creature, Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma requires a dedication to green mana which might not integrate well in multi-color decks seeking a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 3G, Goreclaw sits at a higher mana spectrum for a 4/3, potentially slowing down your board development in the early game stages where quicker plays could be more pivotal.


Reasons to Include Goreclaw Terror of Qal Sisma in Your Collection

Versatility: Goreclaw Terror of Qal Sisma is a game-changer in green decks that focus on big creatures. It can turn a board of already formidable creatures into an unstoppable force, reducing the mana cost of creature spells and empowering every attack with trample.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with other high-powered creatures, enabling you to cascade into powerful combos. Its ability to cheapen the cost of creatures could be the linchpin in setting off a domino effect leading to a swift victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values quick development of a board presence, Goreclaw can be especially potent. It allows players to consistently outpace their opponents by casting larger threats sooner than expected, a strategic advantage that could tilt the scales in your favor.


How to beat

Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma is a powerful force, known for reducing the cost of creature spells and boosting your attacking creatures with its formidable presence. Facing this legendary bear in Magic: The Gathering, one needs a smart strategy to triumph. Removal spells are your first line of defense. Options like Murder to eliminate it the moment it hits the board, or Counterspell to deny it from ever entering play are effective tactics.

Ensnaring Goreclaw before it can affect the battlefield is also crucial. Pacifism and similar enchantments can neutralize the threat without having to remove it, hindering its ability to support other creatures. Engaging in combat with Goreclaw is not advisable due to its cost-reducing ability which can quickly turn the tables against you with a surge of large creatures.

Ultimately, to turn the tide against Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma, one must prioritize its removal from play swiftly or dilute its impact with creative confinement. Doing so will mitigate its advantage and maintain an even playing field.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG involves understanding the unique abilities of cards like Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma. With such powerhouses in your deck, you pave the way for those colossal creatures to dominate the battlefield at a lower cost. Whether you appreciate the finesse of card advantage, the thrill of quickened board development, or the strategic depth of trample tactics, Goreclaw presents a dynamic addition to green-based decks. Unleash the full potential of your creature spells and outmaneuver your opponents with this formidable legendary bear. Dive deeper with us into building superior strategies and elevating your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Core Set 2019 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 Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1862015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 186s2015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 186p2015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12292015NormalBorderlessPaul Mafayon
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6682015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
62023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 272015NormalBlackDomenico Cava
72023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 1572015NormalBlackDomenico Cava
82023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 922015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
92023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 157z2015NormalBlackDomenico Cava
102023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2932015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 Goreclaw's last ability affects only creatures you control with the appropriate power at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won't get either bonus, and a creature you control whose power decreases later in the turn won't lose either bonus.
2018-07-13 If another creature has an ability that changes its power when it attacks, such as Brawl-Bash Ogre, you may have that ability resolve before Goreclaw's last ability.
2018-07-13 If you cast a creature spell that will enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters, such as Hungering Hydra, those counters aren't considered when determining whether Goreclaw reduces that spell's cost. Similarly, effects that will raise the creature's power once it has entered the battlefield won't apply.