Gavony Township

Gavony Township Lite Guide

Innistrad Rare
Mana Cost:
Type: Land
Gavony Township Text:
{T}: Add {C}. {2}{G}{W}, {T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
Flavor:
"The protective wards of the church have weakened, and no one can tell us why. It's time to look to our own defenses." —Gregel, militia leader
Artist: Peter Mohrbacher
Collector Number: 239
Release Date: 2011-09-30
Art crop

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-28
TL;DR Summary

Gavony Township is a versatile rare land that excels in Commander decks by providing consistent mana acceleration and token generation. Its ability to add one mana of any color at instant speed is particularly valuable for combo-heavy strategies, allowing players to cast Sylvan Caryatid or Llanowar Elves on turn 1.

The card's secondary ability, which adds +1/+1 counters to creatures on untap step, can be leveraged in conjunction with token-generating artifacts like Aurelia, the Warleader or Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient. This synergy enables players to generate an impressive number of tokens and attack opponents quickly.

Gavony Township is particularly effective in mono-white and mono-green Commander decks, where its abilities can be maximized with cards like Serra Ascendant and Llanowar Visionary. In more color-dense decks, it can still contribute by providing a convenient mana source or helping to accelerate the development of the board.

While Gavony Township may not be as flashy as some other Commander staples, its consistency and reliability make it an attractive addition to any midrange or control deck.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Gavony Township: A Land of Dual Abilities

Gavony Township is a rare land from the Innistrad set that offers two distinct abilities. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for maximizing its value in Commander games.

First Ability: {T}: Add {C}

This ability allows players to add one mana of any color to their pool when Gavony Township is tapped. This is a straightforward, albeit useful, feature that provides flexibility during gameplay. The added mana can be used to play spells, including other lands like Misty Rainforest, which synergizes well with this land's first ability.

Second Ability: {2}{G}{W}, {T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control

This is where Gavony Township shines. When played with two green and one white mana, tapping the land puts a +1/+1 counter on all creatures controlled by its controller. This ability has significant implications for creature-based Commander decks, especially those utilizing Falkenrath Marauders, which can benefit greatly from additional counters.

Notable Edge Cases:

  • Multiple Copies: Having multiple Gavony Township in your deck doesn't directly impact its effectiveness but could be part of a larger strategy to accelerate creature growth or add more tokens on the board.

  • Land Destruction: Spells like Choke can remove lands from play, including Gavony Township. Consider this when building around lands that are vulnerable to destruction.

Interactions and Examples:

  • Combining with Llanowar Elves: Playing Llanowar Elves on the turn before tapping Gavony Township allows for a quick acceleration of mana in green and white, maximizing the potential of Gavony Township's second ability.

  • Synergy with Token Generators: Creatures that produce tokens can significantly benefit from Gavony Township's +1/+1 counter ability. For example, Ghirapur, Aether Grid combined with Gavony Township could lead to a rapid increase in power on the battlefield.

Understanding and leveraging the unique abilities of Gavony Township requires a deep grasp of Magic's complex interactions. It is essential for players to consider these mechanics when building Commander decks focused on creatures or token generation.

Strategic Applications

Gavony Township is a versatile land that fits into several Commander archetypes, making it a valuable addition to many decks. Its primary function is to provide mana on turn one while also offering a powerful bonus for creatures.

On its face value, Gavony Township simply adds one green and one white mana when tapped. This makes it a solid choice for any deck that runs green or white, particularly those with abundant creature removal. However, the land's true strength lies in its secondary ability: putting +1/+1 counters on each creature you control.

This effect is particularly appealing in token-based decks, where Gavony Township can rapidly scale up the power of creatures like Avenger of Zendikar or Kodama's Reach. Additionally, decks that feature a strong green-white creature swarm, such as those with Wrenn and Six Unbroken, Who Live Forever or Golgari Findbroker, benefit from Gavony Township's ability to accelerate their creatures' growth.

In some cases, Gavony Township can even be used as a 'free' Fertile Ground-style effect, allowing players to grow their creatures without relying on additional cards. However, this often requires a more specialized build with many low-toughness creatures that can take advantage of the +1/+1 counter bonus.

In terms of specific deck archetypes, Gavony Township is well-suited for:

  • Green-White creature-based decks
  • Token generation and swarm strategies
  • Midrange and control decks looking to grow their creatures quickly

Overall, Gavony Township's unique blend of mana acceleration and +1/+1 counter growth makes it a valuable addition to many different types of Commander decks.

Advanced Techniques

Gavony Township is a versatile land that can be used in various ways to support creature-heavy strategies. Its ability to add one mana of any color when tapped makes it an excellent fixer for green-white combinations, allowing players to play Llanowar Elves and other early-game threats without disrupting their mana curve.

One less-obvious use for Gavony Township is as a way to accelerate the +1/+1 counter generation on creatures like Venser, Shaper Savant, which can benefit greatly from the boost. By playing Gavony Township on turn two with Elvish Mystic or Fangren Reaver, players can add an additional +1/+1 counter to their creatures, making them even more formidable.

Gavony Township also pairs well with Goblin Piledriver, allowing players to create a cheap and efficient way to generate card advantage through the token generation. When paired with Ajani's Pridemate or other similar creatures, Gavony Township can become a powerful tool for ramping up the mana base while generating +1/+1 counters.

In a more aggro-focused deck, Gavony Township can be used to support an early-game threat like Rancor, providing a boost of power and toughness that can help swing games in favor of the aggressive player.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes with Gavony Township

Gavony Township is a rare land that can be a game-changer in Commander, but players often misutilize its abilities. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

  • Misunderstanding the timing of the mana ability: Players sometimes add {C} without considering if they have enough mana to play a spell or creature on the same turn. This can lead to wasted opportunities and unnecessary mana development.
  • Not paying attention to life gain: The {2}{G}{W} ability adds +1/+1 counters, which is usually beneficial for creatures. However, it also generates life gain, which can be just as valuable in a Commander game where life totals are high. Players often overlook the life gain aspect and focus solely on the counter advantage.
  • Lack of synergy with token generators: Gavony Township's ability pairs well with token-generating creatures like Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Serra Ascendant. However, players sometimes forget to include these synergistic cards in their deck, rendering Gavony Township less effective than it could be.
  • Not considering the card advantage: Adding +1/+1 counters can create a significant card advantage in the long run. Players often focus on the immediate benefits of adding mana or life gain but neglect to consider how this ability can help them ramp up their game state.

Example Mistakes

  • Playing Gavony Township on turn 3 without considering if they have enough mana to play a spell or creature that turn.
  • Ignoring the +1/+1 counters generated by Gavony Township when playing with token-generating creatures like Golgari Findbroker.
  • Not including cards that synergize with Gavony Township's ability, such as Vraska, Relic Seeker.

By being mindful of these potential pitfalls and adjusting their playstyle accordingly, players can maximize the potential of Gavony Township in Commander.

Conclusion

Gavony Township is a solid addition to any Commander deck that utilizes creatures and benefits from +1/+1 counters. Its ability to add a mana of any color for free can be incredibly powerful in the right situations. For example, it can help generate extra mana for Serra Ascendant or Luminarch Aspirant, allowing players to play larger creatures earlier.

However, its true value lies in the second ability: putting +1/+1 counters on creatures when a player has a 2G and W available on their turn. This can be particularly effective with creatures like Aurelia, the Warleader or Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God, which benefit greatly from additional power and toughness.

One potential drawback is that Gavony Township's second ability only triggers once per turn, limiting its impact in aggressive decks. Nevertheless, it remains a strong choice for more controlling or midrange Commander decks that focus on creature advantage and incremental card draw.

Considering its relatively low price point of around $2 USD, Gavony Township offers excellent value for the rare slot. It's an attractive option for players looking to add a versatile land that can provide both mana fixing and strategic flexibility. As with any Magic card, context and specific deck-building decisions will determine its true impact.