Gray Merchant of Asphodel MTG Card


Gray Merchant’s enters-the-battlefield effect provides significant life drain, impacting game state upon resolution. Its reliance on black mana symbols for maximized effect requires a devotion-based deck strategy. Gray Merchant is versatile in black-centered decks, especially with combos and life-draining archetypes.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Gray Merchant of Asphodel enters the battlefield, each opponent loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. You gain life equal to the life lost this way. (Each in the mana costs of permanents you control counts toward your devotion to black.)


Cards like Gray Merchant of Asphodel

Gray Merchant of Asphodel stands out as an exceptional pick among the quintessential draught cards in Magic: The Gathering. It parallels to some extent with the card Scholar of the Aged, offering payoff based on devotion to black as Scholar does with devotion to blue. However, the Gray Merchant presents an advantageous twist – it drains life from each opponent, not just one.

Another comparable selection is Vizkopa Guildmage, which also engages in life drain, but with different mechanics and conditions. Although it has the upside of affecting all opponents, it requires an external life gain source to work, unlike Gray Merchant of Asphodel which is a standalone powerhouse.

Corrupt, while a spell and not a creature, also deserves mention in this category. It shares the similar mechanic of draining opponent’s life proportional to the number of swamps you control. Even though it can potentially yield a one-time larger life swing, it lacks the versatility of the Gray Merchant’s recurring potential.

Upon analyzing various alternatives, Gray Merchant of Asphodel indeed holds a high place among MTG cards with its extraordinary life drain mechanic and devotion-based power, especially in mono-black decks.

Vizkopa Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Corrupt - MTG Card versions
Vizkopa Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Corrupt - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-BlackMono-Black PauperMono-BlackPauper Challenge 64 2023-12-17
Mono-Black ControlMono-Black Control PauperMono-BlackSprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 2^ tappa MILANO 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
BB PauperPauper Challenge 64 2024-03-17
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange PioneerMono-Black DevotionSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Mono-Black TempoMono-Black Tempo PauperBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
DevotionDevotion PauperDevotionPauper League 2024-01-03
Mono Black DevotionMono Black Devotion OtherTimeless Open Entry Event #001
Mono-Black DevotionMono-Black Devotion PioneerMono-Black DevotionSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
MonoBlack ControlMonoBlack Control PauperMono-BlackLega Pauper Perugia - Tappa#4 - Road To Paupergeddon Milano 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gray Merchant of Asphodel, additionally referred to as Gary, presents a prominent card advantage. When Gary enters the battlefield, each opponent loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. You gain life equal to the life lost this way. The net gain in life points and the potential to devastate the opponents’ life total are what make this card close to a game-changer.

Resource Acceleration: Gary’s presence can also be related to an indirect form of resource acceleration. His ability allows you to possibly burn your opponents while reinforcing your own life total. This can accelerate your position, taking you closer to the victory, and quite often serves as a comeback mechanism when you’re falling behind in the game.

Instant Speed: Though Gray Merchant of Asphodel operates at a sorcery speed, his power can affect games in the instant it resolves. The moment Gary hits the battlefield, the life totals swing. Best part? There’s no response window between Gary entering the battlefield and his ability resolving. This instant impact often shakes up the game state, delivering a shift in momentum to your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unfortunately, the Gray Merchant of Asphodel doesn’t require you to discard a card, but its effectiveness heavily relies on having other black mana symbols on your battlefield. If you cannot maintain a good number of black mana symbols, its potential diminishes a great deal.

Specific Mana Cost: The Merchant’s casting cost requires two specific black mana, which confines it to mainly black or multicolor decks. If your deck isn’t well saturated with black mana, this card may stay stuck in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana can be quite high for a creature that only has a 2/4 body. Meanwhile, other cards could provide better advantages for the same, or even lower, mana cost.


Reasons to Include Gray Merchant of Asphodel in Your Collection

Versatility: As one of the most renowned creatures in the black-themed decks, the Gray Merchant of Asphodel proves to be a flexible card. It can be used in multiple deck archetypes, particularly those focused on life-draining strategies or Devotion to black.

Combo Potential: Paired with other cards that either ramp up your Devotion or duplicate entering the battlefield effects, Gray Merchant of Asphodel can result in sudden life swings that could effectively end games. This gives it excellent synergy in various combo decks.

MetaRelevance: Its ability to drain life from opponents based on your Devotion to black makes the Gray Merchant of Asphodel a potent card in the current meta. Whether used as a finisher in Mono-Black Devotion decks or as a key piece in Black-Green graveyard strategies, its relevance and impact in various game situations is undeniable.


How to Beat

Gray Merchant of Asphodel is one of the potent cards to consider in Magic: The Gathering. The critical factor lies in its ability to drain life from opponents whenever it enters the battlefield. It capitalizes on the devotion to black, thus making it a significant threat when coupled with other black-centric cards. However, there are specific strategies you can use to counter this card.

One way to break down Gray Merchant of Asphodel is by targeting it before its enters-the-battlefield ability triggers. A technique that is possible to pull off using instant-speed removal spells or counter spells in response to it entering the game. Remember that a successfully countered Gray Merchant won’t trigger its draining ability, saving you from potential damage.

Another way is by reducing your opponent’s devotion to black before Gray Merchant is played. You can use removal tools or control strategies to eliminate your opponent’s threats. This technique requires strategic planning and foresight and hence demands in-depth knowledge of your opponent’s deck.

To triumph over Gray Merchant of Asphodel, the art of timing, strategic planning and effective use of control and removal cards become your potent arsenals in your Magic: The Gathering games.


BurnMana Recommendations

Discovering the potential of Gray Merchant of Asphodel can make a substantial difference in your MTG matches. With its life-draining entry and devotion-boosting prowess, this card can serve as a key component in various black-centric deck strategies. Whether you’re seeking to turn the tides of a match or simply want to bolster your collection with a versatile and impactful creature, adding Gary to your arsenal is a strategic move. Ready to make the most of your devotion to black? Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG and strengthen your play with this enigmatic merchant.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gray Merchant of Asphodel MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Commander 2014, 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 Gray Merchant of Asphodel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gray Merchant of Asphodel Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 892003NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1462015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6772015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
42020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 992015NormalBlackScott Murphy
52020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 3552015NormalBlackScott Murphy
62020-09-26The ListPLST C14-1462015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
72021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3231997NormalBlackRobbie Trevino

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gray Merchant of Asphodel has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-01-24 Colorless and generic mana symbols (, , , , , and so on) in mana costs of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
2020-01-24 Hybrid mana symbols, monocolored hybrid mana symbols, and Phyrexian mana symbols do count toward your devotion to their color(s).
2020-01-24 If an activated ability or triggered ability has an effect that depends on your devotion to a color, you count the number of mana symbols of that color among the mana costs of permanents you control as the ability resolves. The permanent with that ability will be counted if it's still on the battlefield at that time.
2020-01-24 If you put an Aura on an opponent's permanent, you still control the Aura, and mana symbols in its mana cost count towards your devotion.
2020-01-24 Mana symbols in the text boxes of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
2021-03-19 The amount of life you gain is the total amount of life lost, not simply the value of X.