by Can Tran

Created on: November 02, 2009

"Galepowder Mage" is a 3/3 white kithkin wizard printed as a rare for the Magic the Gathering expansion set known as "Lorwyn." This is a rather interesting card because it can really throw off an opponent's momentum. If you have an opponent that is playing aggressively, Galepowder Mage can really throw off his/her game for the most part. Should you have a few Galepowder Mage cards on the battlefield, you can really affect the dynamic of the game. This is something that is good for a control deck with white cards.

The converted mana cost for Galepowder Mage is four. You will need one white mana and three colorless mana to play Galepowder Mage from your hand and onto the battlefield. For what Galepowder Mage can do, the converted mana cost is well worth it. Should you be able to play Galepowder Mage early enough, you can control the tide of the game for the first few turns.

What does Galepowder Mage do in the first place?

The first ability of Galepowder Mage is Flying. If you attack with Galepowder Mage and your opponent has no creatures with Flying or Reach, s/he is taking three points of combat damage. However, it is neither the only nor the main ability of the Galepowder Mage.

The main ability lets you temporarily Exile another creature from the game. Make sure the creature neither has Shroud nor Protection from White. That creature returns to the battlefield under its owner's control until the end of the next end step. For one turn, the creature is Exiled from the game when Galepowder Mage attacks. Keep in mind that Galepowder Mage does not have to deal combat damage. It simply has to attack.

If your opponent has some annoying creature on the battlefield, you can attack with Galepowder Mage. You pick that annoying creature. It remains Exiled until the next end step. That should really throw off your opponent's momentum.

In a free-for-all match, it is rather risky. Your best bet would be to attack the opponent that goes after your turn. That is provided that you know the opponent will attack you. If you have at least two or three of those cards on the battlefield, you can really slow down your opponents. They do not get their creatures back until the next end step. During an opponent's turn, s/he probably will not be able to use those creatures for a while.

Overall, this is an impressive card to have. Make sure you have at least two or three in your deck. For any control deck that uses white, this is a great card to have.

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