Verdurous Gearhulk MTG Card


Verdurous Gearhulk offers card advantage by enhancing creatures without additional card costs. Its five-mana cost and green mana requirements can limit flexibility in multi-color decks. While it creates an immediate threat, control strategies with exile effects can efficiently counter it.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
Rarity
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities Trample
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Trample When Verdurous Gearhulk enters the battlefield, distribute four +1/+1 counters among any number of target creatures you control.


Cards like Verdurous Gearhulk

Verdurous Gearhulk is a powerful force in Magic: The Gathering, boasting an immediate impact on the board similar to its fellow titans in the gearhulk cycle. When compared to Torrential Gearhulk, which offers instant card advantage and potential board interaction, Verdurous Gearhulk swings the needle towards a sheer increase in creature strength and size. While Torrential Gearhulk might provide value over time, Verdurous Gearhulk presents a more formidable yet singular threat upon entry.

Another comparator is the renowned Bane of Bala Ged. Though lacking the immediate +1/+1 counter distribution of Verdurous Gearhulk, Bane of Bala Ged’s annihilator-like effect applies pressure by permanently removing an opponent’s permanents. However, Verdurous Gearhulk excels by directly empowering other creatures, making it versatile in creature-centric decks.

Lastly, Walking Ballista stands out as well, given its modularity and ability to dismantle an opponent’s strategy through direct damage. Unlike Verdurous Gearhulk, its influence can be more controlled and spread out over several turns. Yet, Verdurous Gearhulk’s explosive entry can often create insurmountable leads when it comes to board presence.

Each of these magnificent constructs has a unique role, but Verdurous Gearhulk’s ability to leverage immediate board advantage and push aggressive strategies secures its spot among the top choices for creature-based MTG decks.

Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Bane of Bala Ged - MTG Card versions
Walking Ballista - MTG Card versions
Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Bane of Bala Ged - MTG Card versions
Walking Ballista - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Verdurous Gearhulk by color, type and mana cost

Perennial Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Rootwire Amalgam - MTG Card versions
Tangle Hulk - MTG Card versions
Perennial Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Rootwire Amalgam - MTG Card versions
Tangle Hulk - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green StompyMono-Green Stompy GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Naya MidrangeNaya Midrange LegacyMO82#CS
AbzanAbzan Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Verdurous Gearhulk enters the battlefield with a boost, enabling you to distribute four +1/+1 counters among any number of creatures you control. This capacity to enhance board presence without the need for additional cards provides an inherent card advantage, transforming your existing creatures into more formidable threats.

Resource Acceleration: The immediate impact of Verdurous Gearhulk can significantly accelerate your resources on the battlefield. By making your creatures larger, it potentially reduces the number of turns required to close out the game. A larger creature also improves the effectiveness of any creature-based synergies in your deck.

Instant Speed: While Verdurous Gearhulk does not have instant speed itself, its massive presence and ability to immediately bolster your creatures can force your opponent to play as if you do. They might hold back removal or play cautiously, hesitant to attack into your now stronger board position, essentially giving you some benefits similar to what an instant speed play might offer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures that offer utility without additional costs, Verdurous Gearhulk doesn’t come with a built-in mechanism to replenish your hand or offer card advantage. This can put you at a disadvantage if you’re forced to discard other key cards as part of your strategy to get the most out of its +1/+1 counters distribution.

Specific Mana Cost: Verdurous Gearhulk requires a substantial amount of green mana—two green mana symbols out of its five total mana cost. This can be restrictive for multi-color decks that are not heavily green, as it may cause mana base issues or delay the casting of the card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Verdurous Gearhulk’s impact on board state can be significant, its five-mana cost is quite high when compared to other creatures or spells in the four-mana slot that may provide immediate value or disrupt your opponent’s plans. Decks looking to be more aggressive or maintain tempo might find this mana cost prohibitive.


Reasons to Include Verdurous Gearhulk in Your Collection

Versatility: Verdurous Gearhulk offers a robust option for multiple decks, slotting easily into green-based midrange or aggressive strategies. Its ability to distribute +1/+1 counters makes it a valuable card for enhancing your creatures on the battlefield or building a single dominant threat.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature shines in decks with a focus on +1/+1 counters and synergizes with abilities that trigger from counter placements or Artifacts entering the battlefield. This can lead to explosive turns and game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: In game formats where creature-based strategies prevail, Verdurous Gearhulk can be a game-changer due to its immediate board impact and ability to quickly close out games. Its relevance often fluctuates with the meta, but it remains a staple in decks capable of leveraging its power.


How to beat

Verdurous Gearhulk poses a significant challenge on the battlefields of MTG, standing as a formidable creature with the power to swiftly amplify its own strength or bolster other creatures upon entering the battlefield. Overcoming this mechanical monstrosity requires a clever blend of timing and resource management. Control strategies equipped with counterspells or instant-speed removal can preempt the Gearhulk’s impact, ensuring it never has the chance to distribute its +1/+1 counters. Meanwhile, aggressive decks may need to push for a faster game plan, bringing the match to a close before the Gearhulk’s presence can dominate the field.

Deck builders should also consider the inclusion of targeted exile effects or sacrifice-enforcing spells to handle the Gearhulk once it’s active. Spells capable of mass removal are another layer of insurance, wiping the battlefield clean of not only Verdurous Gearhulk but any creatures that benefited from its counter distribution. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, operating under the right conditions, are exemplary tools to keep the Gearhulk in check. In summary, while Verdurous Gearhulk can instantly tip the scales, a prepared player with the right answers can effectively neutralize the threat it presents.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Verdurous Gearhulk is more than a mere addition to your MTG collection. It’s a powerful game-changer that turns the tide of battle in your favor. Mastering this card involves understanding when to play it for maximum impact and combining it with synergistic elements in your deck. If you’re ready to discover the best ways to optimize Verdurous Gearhulk’s abilities and find out how to counteract it when facing one across the table, we’re here to guide you. Dive deeper into the strategies, deck builds, and tactical plays that make Verdurous Gearhulk a formidable ally. Elevate your gameplay with us, and witness the true potential of this mechanical behemoth on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Verdurous Gearhulk MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh Inventions and Kaladesh, 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 Verdurous Gearhulk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Verdurous Gearhulk Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 52015NormalBlackZack Stella
22016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1722015NormalBlackJaime Jones
32016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 172s2015NormalBlackJaime Jones
42020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-1722015NormalBlackJaime Jones
52020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1852015NormalBlackJaime Jones
62021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1452015NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

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

Date Text
2016-09-20 If one of the target creatures becomes an illegal target in response to Verdurous Gearhulk's triggered ability, the +1/+1 counters that would have been put on that creature are lost. They can't be put on another legal target.
2016-09-20 Verdurous Gearhulk can be the target of its own triggered ability.
2016-09-20 You choose how the counters will be distributed as you put Verdurous Gearhulk's triggered ability onto the stack. Each target creature must be assigned at least one counter.