Quick Answer

Empress Galina is a rare Legendary Creature — Merfolk Noble from INV (INV) costing {3}{U}{U}. Current price: $10.12 USD. Legal in Commander.

Empress Galina MTG card

Empress Galina

Legendary Creature — Merfolk Noble

Card Text

{U}{U}, {T}: Gain control of target legendary permanent. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)

"Above the waves you may be mighty indeed, but down here you belong to me."

Card Stats

1/3 rare CMC: 5.0 INV INV 🎨 Matt Cavotta

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Roles are still being computed for this card.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$10.12
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$65.25
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$15.99
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$84.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€5.90
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€43.74
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Predh Legal
Premodern Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (3 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Empress Galina? Basics

Empress Galina is a Legendary Creature — Merfolk Noble card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "{U}{U}, {T}: Gain control of target legendary permanent. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)"

How much mana does Empress Galina cost to cast? Basics

Empress Galina has a mana cost of {3}{U}{U}, which equals 5.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Empress Galina's mana cost of {3}{U}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Empress Galina has a mana value of 5.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Empress Galina's current oracle text is: "{U}{U}, {T}: Gain control of target legendary permanent. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)"

What is the current price of Empress Galina? Pricing

The current market price for Empress Galina is approximately $10.12 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $65.25 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €5.9 EUR.

Where can I buy Empress Galina? Pricing

You can purchase Empress Galina from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Empress Galina normal: $10.12 | foil: $65.25

Is Empress Galina legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Empress Galina in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Empress Galina legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Empress Galina in Modern is not available.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Empress Galina legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Empress Galina is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Empress Galina legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Empress Galina in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Empress Galina legal in Legacy? Legality

Empress Galina is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Empress Galina legal in Vintage? Legality

Empress Galina is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Empress Galina legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Empress Galina in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Empress Galina from? Details

This printing of Empress Galina is from INV (INV), with collector number 54.

Empress Galina may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Empress Galina's rarity? Details

Empress Galina is a rare card in INV.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Empress Galina? Details

Empress Galina was illustrated by Matt Cavotta.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Empress Galina's power and toughness? Details

Empress Galina is a 1/3 creature.

Power (1) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (3) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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