Gorilla Shaman

Gorilla Shaman was originally released in the Alliances expansion in 1996, but this specific version appears as part of the Coldsnap theme decks released in 2006. Coldsnap was designed as a thematic successor to the Ice Age block, completing the trilogy after a decade-long hiatus. The set draws heavily on Arctic themes and mechanics that reward players for using older, snow-covered land cards.

The card features artwork by Anthony S. Waters, a prolific illustrator for the game known for his expressive and slightly grotesque character designs. Waters sought to capture the primal and shamanistic nature of the creature, emphasizing a blend of aggressive simian features and mystical artifacts. The card quickly became a staple in eternal formats for its ability to efficiently destroy low-cost artifacts, cementing its reputation as a highly functional, utilitarian card in competitive play.