Gorilla Shaman MTG Card


Capitalizes on artifact prevalence, providing tactical edge through on-demand disruption. Resource management is key due to mana costs associated with its abilities. Its presence challenges artifact-heavy metagames, offering strategic sideboard versatility.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Ape Shaman
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

o Xo Xo1: Destroy target non-creature artifact with casting cost equal to X.

"Frankly, destruction is best left to professionals." —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage


Cards like Gorilla Shaman

Gorilla Shaman, a unique fixture in MTG, stands out for its ability to dismantle artifacts with surgical precision. It’s akin to cards like Shatter, a straightforward answer to artifact threats with its single-target removal. The Gorilla Shaman, though, offers nuanced control, as its ability scales with the mana you invest, allowing for multiple artifact destruction within one turn. This compares to Shatter’s one-and-done approach.

Then we have Viashino Heretic, another artifact-hating creature that offers repeatable removal. Unlike the Gorilla Shaman, the Heretic inflicts damage proportionate to the artifact’s cost, which can be advantageous or limiting depending on the situation. With Gorilla Shaman, the mana invested adjusts the scale of artifacts you target, from small mana rocks to expensive engines of war.

Assessing these options, Gorilla Shaman’s flexible mana sink provides a unique edge in games rich with artifacts. Its adaptability makes it valuable in metagames where artifacts span a wide range of costs and functions, proving why it’s a notable choice amongst its peers in MTG.

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Viashino Heretic - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Viashino Heretic - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gorilla Shaman by color, type and mana cost

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Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Frenzied Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Goblin Digging Team - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Goblin Artisans - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Frenzied Goblin - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Gorilla Shaman. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros SynthesizerBoros Synthesizer PauperBoros SynthesizerPauper Preliminary 2024-04-11
Naya SynthesizerNaya Synthesizer PauperNaya SynthesizerPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-06
Grixis TinkerGrixis Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2024-01-07
4c Tinker4c Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2023-11-11

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Gorilla Shaman allows you to efficiently deal with problematic artifacts by converting a single card into the potential to destroy multiple artifacts, hence multiplying its impact on the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Gorilla Shaman itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, the mere presence can slow down your opponent’s artifact ramp, effectively giving you a relative increase in your own resource speed.

Instant Speed: Though the Shaman’s abilities are activated at sorcery speed, its low casting cost enables you to keep mana open for other instant-speed interactions while still providing the option to use its artifact disruption ability at a critical moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Gorilla Shaman’s ability to destroy artifacts can be quite impactful in a game filled with equipment and trinkets, it’s crucial to consider that it comes with a monetary cost rather than a discard. Every activation demands a specific payment of mana, which can add up and diminish your available resources for other plays within the same turn.

Specific Mana Cost: Gorilla Shaman demands a red mana to summon, which might not be a hurdle for mono-red or red-inclusive builds but can be a sticking point for decks that don’t run mountains or red mana sources. This specificity narrows the range of decks that can effectively harness the card’s full potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The ability to dismantle cheap artifacts efficiently is a hallmark of Gorilla Shaman’s arsenal, yet when targeting more costly artifacts, the mana expenditure soars. In such scenarios, alternative cards may offer artifact removal at a fixed and perhaps lower cost, providing a more economical solution to the artifact problem.


Reasons to Include Gorilla Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Gorilla Shaman offers flexibility in numerous deck types, particularly in formats where artifacts are prevalent. It can systematically dismantle opponents’ artifact lands or other key pieces, making it a versatile sideboard option or even a main-deck inclusion in the right meta.

Combo Potential: This card creates opportunities for synergies within decks that capitalize on artifact removal. It can help fuel graveyard strategies or complement damage-dealing effects that trigger upon the destruction of artifacts, providing a pathway to powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: Gorilla Shaman thrives in environments saturated with artifact-based strategies. It acts as a counterbalance to decks that rely heavily on artifacts, ensuring your collection remains competitive and responsive to shifting meta trends.


How to beat Gorilla Shaman

Gorilla Shaman presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, with its potential to wreak havoc on your artifacts. This creature becomes particularly troublesome when it starts picking apart your mana resources, as it can destroy artifact lands for a minimal investment. However, even the most imposing shaman can be outmaneuvered with the right strategy.

Effective methods to neutralize Gorilla Shaman include utilizing instant-speed removal spells to dispatch the primate before it can activate its ability. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be invaluable here. Prioritizing the elimination of Gorilla Shaman early on will prevent any significant loss of resources and allow you to maintain a strong board presence. Additionally, relying less on artifact lands and focusing on non-artifact mana sources can limit the Shaman’s impact, ensuring that your lands remain safe from its destructive capabilities.

Every card has its counters, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Gorilla Shaman is key. Mitigating its advantages and being prepared with responses can ensure that this primate won’t monkey around with your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Gorilla Shaman’s unique ability to regulate the flow of artifact power makes it a strategic asset in MTG. Appreciating the nuances of this card and its place in different metagames ensures you maintain a competitive edge. Whether you’re disrupting opponent strategies or reinforcing your own, understanding the Shaman’s interactions is pivotal. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG, enhancing your gameplay and collection. Discover advanced tactics, refine your deck’s composition, and stay ahead of the meta. Embrace the opportunity to become a savvy tactician. Learn more and optimize your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gorilla Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Gorilla Shaman and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gorilla Shaman Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-06-10AlliancesALL 72a1993NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters
21996-06-10AlliancesALL 72b1993NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 610602015NormalBlackFilip Burburan
42006-07-21Coldsnap Theme DecksCST 72a2003NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters
52008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1291997NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters
62021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2802015NormalBlackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gorilla Shaman has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 A tip on how this math works: The cost to destroy a noncreature artifact with mana value 0 is + + = . The cost to destroy a noncreature artifact with mana value 1 is + + = . The cost to destroy a noncreature artifact with mana value 2 is + + = . And so on.