I have seen a lot of reviews with our new fellow creature from Zendikar, The Gatekeeper of Malakir. As I browse from one to another I always see the words "edict-on-a-stick". Why? Because this fellow has the ability that can force your opponent to sacrifice a creature he controls when kicked. A creature removal that can be casted no matter what casting cost and kind of color your opponent's creature are, neither if it has protection from black! There is definitely no requirement needed as long as you pay it's kicker cost and that is really good for those who will be playing the "Twilight [Vampire] Deck". Well if there is nothing to sacrifice at all you can still cast it for BB which doesn't hurt at all because he's still a 2/2 creature, there should be nothing to worry about it and with Vampire Nocturnus in the battlefield you'll get a 4/3 creature with that kind of ability, and it's definitely a bomb for your opponent he will never forget. However, you should pack your vampire deck with Gatekeeper of Malakir's cohort such as Vampire Nighthawk and some early drops like Guul Draz Specter and Vampire Lacerator to maximize the decks capacity to have an early kill.

Somebody ask me what if your opponent has no creatures mostly like miller decks. I told him not to worry because you can take care of it as early as possible with those creatures with low casting cost yet have hard-hitting damage preferably Vampire Lacerator. Gatekeeper of Malakir might not have some use against opponents using that kind of deck but he can still help beat down the opponent earlier that you can ever imagine. Still have some worries? How about White weenies he said. I told him that it can now be a problem but then he will now be useful against decks like that probably because white weenie decks will use White Knight in their maindeck assuming every opponent is now using a vampire deck and that would be one big threat against them. Just pack your sideboard some cards that will help you return the favor of winning to you. It might sound easy but with sufficient tactics in your mind, you may still have the chance to win the game no matter how difficult it would be.

Another friend ask me if Gatekeeper of Malakir will see play in other formats like Extended and Legacy or even Vintage. I told him that yes it might be considered but with the presence of lots of creature removal in those formats it's hard to say so. You can't cast him in you opponent's turn unlike Diabolic Edict that will take out some creatures anytime the controller wants, right? That's why I created my first ever standard [vampires] deck. He is absolutely included and I am really having fun using him in that format. It might sound funny but Gatekeeper of Malakir and Vampire Nighthawk are the reasons that made me play in standard format. I really like these cards.

He is also now considered a very undesirable threat in hand black has of now in standard format aside from spells like Tendrils of Corruption, Feast of Blood, Doomblade, Deathmark, etc., and yes, you really don't have the right to choose what creature he will deal with his ability but still it's a creature removal that can turn the outcome of the game at some instances you want most likely to happen. Just be careful because not all player has the luck to win against mirror matches. Goodluck to your draw phase!

Nonetheless, a vampire deck is not complete without him so pack up with four of it and start dominating!