Abyssal Gatekeeper
Creature — Horror
When this creature dies, each player sacrifices a creature of their choice.
- CMC
- 2
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Weatherlight
- Price
- $0.23
- EDHREC rank
- #10847
Abyssal Gatekeeper is a two-mana death trigger that forces every opponent to sacrifice a creature when it dies — a symmetrical edict on a body. The catch is it hits you too, which is a feature in Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker decks and a real cost everywhere else.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker
Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker recurs Abyssal Gatekeeper every end step it dies, turning one 1-power body into a repeating edict that strips a creature from every opponent's board each turn cycle.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Commander is where Abyssal Gatekeeper actually matters — multiplayer tables mean one death trigger hits three opponents simultaneously, making the symmetry far less punishing than in a duel. In Pauper, it's legal but rarely played; the edict effect is useful but two mana for a 1/1 with a conditional trigger doesn't compete with purpose-built removal at common. Legacy and Vintage technically allow it, but nothing in those formats is looking for a slow, fragile edict on a creature when Diabolic Edict costs the same and doesn't die to a stiff breeze. Stick to Commander.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.23 bulk tier
At $0.23, Abyssal Gatekeeper is deep bulk — pick it out of a commons box rather than buying a single. Price is stable; there's no demand pressure outside Shirei lists, and it's unlikely to move in either direction.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.