Tivash, Gloom Summoner MTG Card


Generates Pest tokens for card advantage and supports life-gain strategies in MTG decks. Instant lifegain from Pests dying can synergize with reactive instant-speed spells. Demands careful resource management due to its discard requirement and specific mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warlock
Abilities Lifelink
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Lifelink At the beginning of your end step, if you gained life this turn, you may pay X life, where X is the amount of life you gained this turn. If you do, create an X/X black Demon creature token with flying.


Cards like Tivash, Gloom Summoner

Tivash, Gloom Summoner introduces a unique flair to the realm of creature generation in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to conjure up a horde of intimidating tokens based on life total draws parallels to cards such as Krenko, Mob Boss, which also creates tokens, albeit in proportion to the number of Goblins one controls. Yet, Tivash doesn’t limit its token production to a specific tribe, offering more versatile application.

Examining Elenda, the Dusk Rose provides another interesting comparison. Both cards rely on a buildup of conditions for greater effect – for Tivash, a higher life total yields more powerful tokens, whereas Elenda grows with each creature’s demise, eventually spawning a swarm of vampires upon her exit from the battlefield. Though Elenda’s effect is tied to her own counter accumulation and eventual sacrifice, Tivash can consistently impact the board with its enduring presence.

Blade of the Bloodchief stands out as well, thriving on a similar mechanic of benefiting from creature deaths. As an equipable artifact, it regularly strengthens the equipped creature whenever any other creature dies. This incremental advantage is different from Tivash’s large, one-time token generation. Overall, Tivash’s strategy is reflected in its unique combination of gaining life and leveraging it directly into creature power, showcasing its distinct place among MTG’s pantheon of creature-generating cards.

Krenko, Mob Boss - MTG Card versions
Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Blade of the Bloodchief - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Mob Boss - MTG Card versions
Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Blade of the Bloodchief - MTG Card versions

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Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tivash Gloom Summoner thrives on card advantage by creating a 1/1 black and green Pest creature token with “When this creature dies, you gain 1 life” for each life you’ve lost this turn. This mechanic translates to an ever-growing swarm of tokens, refilling your board presence and turning any health deficit into potential gains.

Resource Acceleration: Notably, Tivash doesn’t just summon an army – it gets you ahead on resources. Each Pest offers life upon its death, which can be pivotal for triggering life-gain synergies or fuelling spells and abilities that require life payments, effectively accelerating your resource management.

Instant Speed:While Tivash itself may not be an instant, the lifegain from Pests dying can synergize with instant-speed spells. For example, spells in your arsenal that respond to life-gain events can be set in motion during your opponent’s turn, providing a dynamic and responsive playstyle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tivash Gloom Summoner requires you to discard a card to utilize its ability. This can pose a problem, particularly in situations where your hand is already depleted or when each card in hand is vital to your strategy, potentially setting you back in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands black mana in its casting cost, which might restrict deck building options. Players not running a deck with sufficient black mana sources could struggle to cast Tivash efficiently, impacting its overall versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Tivash has the potential to generate significant value over time, its initial casting cost is relatively high. In faster-paced games, players may prefer to spend their mana on more immediate threats or answers rather than waiting on the gradual benefits Tivash might bring.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tivash Gloom Summoner offers diversity in gameplay; it’s a natural fit in Lifegain or Sacrifice decks. Its ability to create Horror creature tokens scales with lifegain, making it a versatile option for multiple scenarios.

Combo Potential: The Horror tokens can work as fuel for various synergies, such as being sac outlets for other effects or accelerating your graveyard-filling strategies to empower reanimation tactics.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, Tivash can strengthen decks that thrive in a meta dense with creature-based tactics due to its ability to consistently produce board presence and apply pressure.


How to beat

Tivash, Gloom Summoner looms darkly on many play mats, often shifting the tide in a player’s favor with its unsettling ability to churn out 1/1 black Demon creature tokens. These menacing tokens aren’t just flimsy obstacles; their power and toughness are equal to the life you lost this turn, which can lead to overwhelming swarms if not checked swiftly.

To counter this daunting adversary, the strategic focus should be on targeted removals or board wipes to keep the token population under control. Instant-speed interaction is key, as it allows you to respond to the life loss trigger before the Demons become a threat. Consider cards like Swords to Plowshares or Bloodchief’s Thirst to deal with Tivash before its ability can be used to its full extent.

Additionally, preventing life loss or manipulating life totals can drastically reduce the effectiveness of Tivash’s ability. Ensnaring Tivash with arrest effects, such as those found in Pacifism or similar enchantments, can make it a non-issue. Ultimately, quick action, judicious use of spot removal, and strategic life management are your tools to stifle Tivash’s ghastly gatherings and protect your game from being overtaken by darkness.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG arsenal becomes a nuanced art when cards like Tivash Gloom Summoner enter the fray. This card, teeming with potential to multiply your board presence, calls for nuanced deck synergy and strategic foresight. Its lifegain token mechanic can be the linchpin in turning the tides of battle in your favor. As you weigh the pros and cons of adding Tivash to your collection, consider the depth it adds, not only in its power to summon but also in how it complements your lifegain and sacrifice strategies. Keen to deepen your understanding of Tivash Gloom Summoner and refine your deck-building skills? We’re here to delve into the strategies and combos that will make your next match a testament to your tactical prowess. Deliberate the possibilities with us and elevate your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tivash, Gloom Summoner MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2021, 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 Tivash, Gloom Summoner and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tivash, Gloom Summoner Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900762015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 452015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3722015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4762015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tivash, Gloom Summoner has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 Tivash’s ability counts the total amount of life gained without considering any life you lost during that turn. For example, if you lost 3 life and gained 4 life earlier in the turn, you may pay 4 life to create a 4/4 Demon.
2021-04-16 You can’t pay less life than the amount of life you gained to create a smaller but less harmful Demon.
2021-04-16 You need to gain life before the end step begins for the last ability to trigger.