Gather Specimens

ALAShards of Alara/#45/2008Rare
Colour IDMV 6
Gather Specimens
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$1.29
Cardmarket€0.62
ManaPool$0.79
TCGplayer$1.43
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.26
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.02 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $1.29High $2.29Low $1.29▲ 0.0%
This printing
SetALA
Collector #45
Released2008-10-03
Rarityrare
ArtistMichael Bruinsma
LanguageEN
Layoutnormal
ScryfallOpen ↗
Market and collecting
Market overview
$1.43TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 0.0%30d▼ 1.4%90d▼ 7.1%
90d high
$1.54
90d low
$1.43
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$1.43
Shards of Alara
  • Down 1.4% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
  • Currently 7% below its 90 day high of $1.54.
  • Foil copies of this printing carry a 422% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
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Compare printings (1 priced)
PrintingFinishRarityPrice7D30DActions
Shards of AlaraALA · #45 · 2008-10-03nonfoilrare$1.43▲ 0.0%▼ 1.4%
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Gameplay and rules
Instant
If a creature would enter the battlefield under an opponent's control this turn, it enters under your control instead.
Card capabilities
Instant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Rulings (9)
wotc1 Oct 2008
If two or more players have each cast Gather Specimens during the same turn and a creature would enter, the creature's would-be controller (the controller of the creature spell, for example) chooses one of the applicable Gather Specimens to apply. Then the new would-be controller of the creature repeats this process among the remaining Gather Specimens, and so on, until there are no more possible Gather Specimens effects to apply.
wotc1 Oct 2008
The above procedure means that if two opposing players have each cast Gather Specimens during the same turn and a creature would enter under the control of one of them, it really will enter under that player's control. (The creature would enter under player A's control, so player B's Gather Specimens affects it. Now that creature would enter under player B's control, so player A's Gather Specimens affects it. Each replacement effect has now been used, so the creature will enter under player A's control.)
wotc1 Oct 2008
If the effect that puts a creature onto the battlefield also creates a delayed triggered ability, Gather Specimens doesn't change who controls that ability. In the unearth example above, your opponent controls the ability that exiles the creature at the beginning of the end step. On the other hand, if the effect that puts a creature onto the battlefield grants a triggered ability to the creature (with "gains" or "has"), the player who controls the creature at the time the ability triggers will be the player who controls that ability. For example, if your opponent casts Makeshift Mannequin and you cast Gather Specimens in response, the creature will return to the battlefield under your control with a mannequin counter and it will have the ability "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it." If the ability triggers, you'll control it, so you'll have to sacrifice the creature.
wotc1 Oct 2008
The Gather Specimens replacement effect is applied before any other replacement effects that would also modify how the creature enters. These are usually worded "as [this creature] enters" or "[this creature] enters with." For example, if your Gather Specimens has resolved, then the following things are true: -- If a creature with devour would enter under an opponent's control, you choose and sacrifice your creatures as it enters under your control. -- If Voice of All would enter under an opponent's control, you choose a color as it enters under your control. -- If Clone would enter under an opponent's control, you choose which creature it copies as it enters under your control. -- If a Wizard would enter under an opponent's control and that player controls Sage of Fables, the Wizard will not enter with a +1/+1 counter on it as it enters under your control. -- If a Wizard would enter under an opponent's control and you control Sage of Fables, the Wizard will enter with a +1/+1 counter on it as it enters under your control.
wotc1 Oct 2008
Gather Specimens isn't targeted. It affects creatures that would enter under any opponent's control.
wotc1 Oct 2008
Gather Specimens won't retroactively change the control of creatures that have already entered that turn.
About this card

Gather Specimens

Gather Specimens is an Instant, with mana cost {3}{U}{U}{U} (mana value 6).

Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.

Current headline price on TCGplayer: $1.43 (down 1.4% over 30 days).

Frequently asked

Gather Specimens FAQ

How much is Gather Specimens worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Gather Specimens is $1.43. It is down 1.4% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $1.43 to $1.54.
What is the cheapest printing of Gather Specimens?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Shards of Alara at $1.43 on TCGplayer.
What set was Gather Specimens first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from ALA #45, released 2008-10-03.
Is there a foil version of Gather Specimens?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $7.46 versus $1.43 for nonfoil, which is 422% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Gather Specimens legal in Commander?
Yes, Gather Specimens is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Gather Specimens legal in Modern?
Yes, Gather Specimens is currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Gather Specimens legal in Standard?
Gather Specimens is not currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Gather Specimens do?
Gather Specimens is an Instant with mana cost {3}{U}{U}{U}. Its Oracle text reads: "If a creature would enter the battlefield under an opponent's control this turn, it enters under your control instead.".