The Gitrog Monster MTG Card


Enables additional card draw and land play, enhancing turns and deck momentum. Potential resource acceleration can outpace opponents through swift mana access. Supports strategies with land sacrifice at instant speed for greater flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Frog Horror
Abilities Deathtouch
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Deathtouch At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice The Gitrog Monster unless you sacrifice a land. You may play an additional land on each of your turns. Whenever one or more land cards are put into your graveyard from anywhere, draw a card.


Cards like The Gitrog Monster

Drenched in swampy lore, The Gitrog Monster finds its niche among unique creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to other land-centric behemoths like Omnath, Locus of Rage, which is also fueled by land interactions. The Gitrog Monster allows you to draw a card each time a land hits the graveyard, aligning with Omnath’s ability to create a 5/5 elemental whenever a land enters under your control.

Titania, Protector of Argoth, is another similar entity, rewarding players for lands going to the graveyard by creating a 5/3 elemental. Nevertheless, The Gitrog Monster is distinct with its consistent card draw engine and the ability to play an additional land each turn. This combination gives it a unique edge in decks that focus on land recursion and sacrifice strategies.

Overall, while there are creatures that interact with land in various ways, The Gitrog Monster’s abilities to devour lands for consistent card advantage and boost land plays sets it apart, solidifying its presence in decks designed to exploit land dynamics to the fullest.

Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions
Titania, Protector of Argoth - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions
Titania, Protector of Argoth - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Gitrog Monster by color, type and mana cost

Wormwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spiritmonger - MTG Card versions
Deathbloom Ritualist - MTG Card versions
Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper - MTG Card versions
Vulturous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Grave-Shell Scarab - MTG Card versions
Golgari Rotwurm - MTG Card versions
Nath of the Gilt-Leaf - MTG Card versions
Deity of Scars - MTG Card versions
Creakwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Sapling of Colfenor - MTG Card versions
Marrow Chomper - MTG Card versions
Lord of Extinction - MTG Card versions
Golgari Longlegs - MTG Card versions
Korozda Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Pharika's Mender - MTG Card versions
Kheru Dreadmaw - MTG Card versions
Brood Butcher - MTG Card versions
Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest - MTG Card versions
Ishkanah, Grafwidow - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spiritmonger - MTG Card versions
Deathbloom Ritualist - MTG Card versions
Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper - MTG Card versions
Vulturous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Grave-Shell Scarab - MTG Card versions
Golgari Rotwurm - MTG Card versions
Nath of the Gilt-Leaf - MTG Card versions
Deity of Scars - MTG Card versions
Creakwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Sapling of Colfenor - MTG Card versions
Marrow Chomper - MTG Card versions
Lord of Extinction - MTG Card versions
Golgari Longlegs - MTG Card versions
Korozda Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Pharika's Mender - MTG Card versions
Kheru Dreadmaw - MTG Card versions
Brood Butcher - MTG Card versions
Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest - MTG Card versions
Ishkanah, Grafwidow - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color LandsFive-color Lands GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024
Five-color RampFive-color Ramp GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Jund LandsJund Lands GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Abzan LandsAbzan Lands GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Gitrog Monster enables a continuous stream of card draw by allowing you to draw an additional card whenever one or more land cards are put into your graveyard from anywhere. This effect transforms lands into potent value engines, ensuring you never run out of options.

Resource Acceleration: With the inherent ability to play an additional land on each of your turns, The Gitrog Monster accelerates your resource development. This ability allows you to outpace opponents by accessing more mana resources quicker to deploy threats or answers efficiently.

Instant Speed: Although The Gitrog Monster itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it supports a game plan that benefits from instant-speed interaction. By generating extra draw from land cards going to the graveyard, it pairs excellently with effects that sacrifice lands at instant speed, thus maximizing potential plays during either player’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Gitrog Monster necessitates a consistent flow of cards to discard, which can become a drawback when your hand is running empty or when vital cards are needed to stay in play to strategize effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning this towering creature requires a specific combination of black and green mana, potentially constraining deck flexibility and making it more suited for dedicated Golgari decks that can consistently produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two specific types which may prove cumbersome early in the game, The Gitrog Monster demands substantial resources that could otherwise be allocated to other significant spells or board development.


Reasons to Include The Gitrog Monster in Your Collection

Versatility: The Gitrog Monster brings adaptability to any deck focused on land dynamics. It allows for an increase in card draw synergies whenever a land hits the graveyard, enhancing strategies in decks that utilize lands for more than just mana.

Combo Potential: This card is infamous for its ability to combo with Dakmor Salvage to create an infinite mill and draw engine, unlocking new levels of interaction and ending games swiftly with the right support cards.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, The Gitrog Monster consistently finds its place, challenging opponents’ strategies that are unprepared for relentless card advantage and field presence, making it a must-have for competitive and casual players alike.


How to beat

The Gitrog Monster is a formidable force in MTG, presenting a unique challenge with its ability to capitalize on land cards being put into the graveyard. When facing this daunting amphibian, players need to disrupt its synergy by preventing land sacrifice and graveyard recursion. Artifact destruction spells to remove pieces like Crucible of Worlds, or graveyard hate cards such as Scavenging Ooze, are effective ways to stifle The Gitrog Monster’s engine.

Strategy is key when dealing with this voracious predator. Prioritize removing The Gitrog Monster quickly using targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy. Denying your opponent the draw advantage from The Gitrog Monster’s ability is crucial. Counterplay through instant-speed land destruction like Ghost Quarter can also be potent, as it hinders the deck’s momentum even before the card can capitalize on its strength.

A balanced approach utilizing disruption, direct answers, and pressure can shift the game in your favor. Keep The Gitrog Monster off the battlefield, control the flow of land cards to and from the graveyard, and The Gitrog Monster’s once overwhelming presence diminishes significantly, leading you toward victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Gitrog Monster offers a dynamic arsenal for MTG players who revel in the intricate dance of land-based strategies. Leveraging the duality of card draw and resource acceleration, it’s a potent force for enthusiasts aiming to harness the full power of their graveyard. While its high mana demands and specific deck requirements pose a challenge, the rewards for wise deck construction are unmatched. As you finesse your strategy and contemplate the inclusion of The Gitrog Monster in your deck, consider the vast landscape of MTG and the countless ways to optimize your playstyle. Dive deeper with us and discover how The Gitrog Monster could be the cornerstone of your next unstoppable deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Gitrog Monster MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad 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 The Gitrog Monster and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Gitrog Monster Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2021-01-01. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 2452015NormalBlackJason Kang
22016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 245s2015NormalBlackJason Kang
32018-07-14MTG Arena PromosPANA 1032015NormalBlackJason Kang
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14302015NormalBlackJason Kang
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10512015NormalBorderlessJeannie L Paske
62020-09-26The ListPLST SOI-2452015NormalBlackJason Kang
72021-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2021PJ21 52015NormalBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Gitrog Monster 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 The Gitrog Monster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-04-08 If multiple land cards are put into your graveyard at once, The Gitrog Monster’s last ability triggers only once. This could happen because an effect (such as that of Crawling Sensation’s first ability) put them there from your library at once, or because they were destroyed at the same time (such as two land creatures that were dealt lethal combat damage).