by Can Tran

Created on: November 01, 2009

"Gaddock Teeg" is a 2/2 green and white legendary kithkin advisor printed for the Magic the Gathering expansion set known as "Lorwyn." It is both a green creature and a white creature. However, it is different from the hybrid color creatures introduced in the "Shadowmoor" expansion set in which you could use one out of the two different colors as the color mana cost. In respect to Gaddock Teeg, this is the type of deck that can be used to shut down other decks. If you know what decks your opponents are using, you can definitely get some play out of Gaddock Teeg.

The converted mana cost of Gaddock Teeg is two. You will need one white mana and one green mana to cast Gaddock Teeg from your hand and onto the battlefield. For what Gaddock Teeg can do, the converted mana cost is well worth it. Keep in mind that Gaddock Teeg is a legendary creature and is subject to the "legendary rule." In this respect, if there are at least two cards on the battlefield named Gaddock Teeg, they both get sent to the graveyard.

What does Gaddock Teeg do in the first place?

Gaddock Teeg has two very interesting abilities that can lock down most decks. For aggressive players, Gaddock Teeg seems to be a handy card to have. The first ability of Gaddock Teeg prevents non-creature spells that cost four mana or more from being cast. In this respect, if you have a bunch of creatures, an opponent cannot be playing spells such as "Damnation," "Wrath of God," or "Day of Judgment." You can neutralize a good number of instant and sorcery spells.

Unfortunately, the "Zendikar" expansion set has cards that can override that ability. That one would be in the form of these new instant spells called "traps." Traps have a lower alternative casting cost if certain requirements are met. With this ability, you can neutralize most instant spells, sorceries, enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers. When dealing with planeswalkers, Gaddock Teeg's first ability comes in very handy. Opponents cannot play bothersome planeswalkers such as "Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker."

However, a simple spell such as "Lightning Bolt" can be cast to wipe out Gaddock Teeg. Be sure to keep that in mind. A player using an aggressive-burn deck could possibly play the "Flametongue Kavu" and deal four points of damage to Gaddock Teeg. There is the possibility of an opponent playing "Pithing Needle" or "Meddling Mage" on Gaddock Teeg.

The second ability prevents non-creature spells with an X mana cost from being cast. In this respect, it keeps opponents from playing spells such as "Mind Twist," "Fireball," "Blaze," "Banefire," "Demonfire," "Sigil of Distinction," "Martial Coup," and so forth. Decks that depend on such spells are neutralized as long as Gaddock Teeg remains on the battlefield.

Overall, Gaddock Teeg is a good creature to have. It is effective if you have creatures. Think of this as a means of being able to save your creatures for a few turns if your opponents have some spells that wipe out all permanents from the battlefield.

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