Gargoyle

Gargoyle
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Statistics	35 cards 37.1% 5.7% 2.9% 5.7% 8.6% 2.9% 2.9% 34.3% 3 Gargoyle creation cards 66.7% 33.3% as of Murders at Karlov Manor
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type:"Gargoyle"

Gargoyle is a creature type used for cards that depict grotesque figures of a winged humanoid or animal, incorporated into the architecture of a building in the form of a waterspout. Those that do not channel water are known as "grotesques". Sentient gargoyles can move from the architectural base and fly, despite their dense mineral nature. They mainly appear in white and as artifact creatures. Gargoyles almost always have flying, and sometimes defender and some ability reflecting its awakening.

The first creature to bear the type was Granite Gargoyle in Alpha.

Storyline

Ivory Gargoyle by Quinton Hoover

Alara

On Alara, most Gargoyles were found on Esper. The first gargoyles on Esper were originally huge, elegantly carved statues perched on the tower abode of a former ruler of Palandius. They were brought to life with dramatic spells and an infusion of etherium to celebrate the ruler's ascendance to power. They proved so dedicated and practical that other, smaller gargoyles were animated for travel and guardianship.

Arcavios

Gargoyles are among the many artifact creatures that tend to the maintenance of the Biblioplex at Strixhaven. (Biblioplex Assistant)

Capenna

Demonic gargoyles made in the image of the lost Archfiends of Old Capenna roam the skies above New Capenna. (Graven Archfiend)

Dominaria

Dominaria has a various host of gargoyles used by many different cultures, including the various kingdoms of Terisiare and Jamuura. Many of these gargoyles were repurposed by the following cultures, which included them in their architecture (Kjeldoran Gargoyle).

Eldraine

On Eldraine, gargoyles are constructed and employed as guards and servants by both the Court of Vantress and the Court of Lochthwain.

Fiora

Fioran Gargoyles are normally stone statues but can manifest illusions of themselves to harry intruders. (Spire Phantasm)

Innistrad

Gargoyles on Innistrad are the creation of human runechanters and are used to protect important buildings and structures, like churches and walls.

When Nahiri arrived on the plane, she used her lithomancy to enslave several of these gargoyles for her purpose. (Stonewing Antagonizer)

Mirrodin

Gargoyles on Mirrodin were guardians of important places on that plane, as they did not need sleep or feel fear. (Lumengrid Gargoyle)

During the Mirran-Phyrexian War, several gargoyles were aligned with the Mirran Resistance.

Ravnica

Ravnican Gargoyles are generally part of the roofscape of the city, with some being several thousand years old. They come to life to protect the buildings from attack or unwelcome intrusion. The Orzhov gargoyles, especially, are infamous for their ability to unleash horrific high-pitched screams that can even break bones (Shrieking Affliction) and that wake the dead. Kaya used an army of Orzhov gargoyles to attack Dovin Baan's thopters.

Some Gargoyles, constructed from Nullstone, can dampen forms of magic, heat, sound, and light around them.

Tarkir

Tarkiran Gargoyles existed first in the new timeline, where they were forged when the old Clans dissolved and aligned themselves under the dragonlords. Made from gold, they protect dragonlofts.(Dragonloft Idol)

Ulgrotha

Abbey Gargoyles were creatures created by Serra to watch Baron Sengir’s movements, and look for any other wrong-doing on Ulgrotha; they were stationed in the city of Onella at the Aysen Abbey.

Zendikar

Zendikari gargoyles are the product of ancient Kor lithomancy and patrol the air around the recently reemerged Skyclaves.(Skyclave Sentinel)

Trivia

• Warden of the Wall is an artifact that can become a 2/3 colorless Gargoyle artifact creature with flying. It's also the only card that is a creature only on your opponent's turn.
• Opal Gargoyle is an enchantment that can become a 2/2 white Gargoyle creature with flying. Opal Guardian is similar, becoming a 3/4 white Gargoyle creature with flying and protection from red.
• Gargoyle Castle is a land that can be sacrificed to create a 3/4 Gargoyle artifact creature token with flying.
• Architecturally, the hunched back and solid wings are designed to catch and funnel water, which many Magic Gargoyles would not do well. Most fictional animate Gargoyles (in Magic or otherwise) are also not shown to do so, which would more accurately make them grotesques. Only one card, Shrieking Grotesque, is referred to as such, and Grotesque Demise also plays on the concept, despite both using winged hunchbacks.

Tokens

Token Name	Color	Type Line	P/T	Text Box	Source	Printings
Gargoyle	Colorless	Artifact Creature — Gargoyle	3/4	Flying	Gargoyle Castle
Tyranid Gargoyle	Blue	Creature — Tyranid Gargoyle	1/1	Flying	Gargoyle Flock Tyranid Harridan