Gahz'rilla

Gahz'rilla is a legendary hunter minion card, from the Goblins vs Gnomes set.

Calculations
Calculating the result of Gahz'rilla's effect in advance can be tricky. The basic rule for multiple enchantments or 'buffs' is that each is applied to the minion in the order in which they were granted. When a temporary enchantment is removed without removing other enchantments, the consequences of the enchantment stack are therefore recalculated. The one exception is aura buffs, which appear to be granted after all other enchantments have been applied, even if the aura was in place prior to the other buffs being gained.

Gahz'rilla's effect will therefore act upon any other enchantments that were applied beforehand, but not upon buffs which are applied afterwards, and not upon any aura buffs.

Examples
Gahz'rilla's triggered effect does include Attack granted by other enchantments, such as that of Defender of Argus. If a Gahz'rilla who has been buffed by a Defender of Argus to 7 Attack takes damage, its Attack will be increased to 14.

Gahz'rilla's buff works through doubling the amount of Attack produced by the combination of the minion's base Attack and any modifications provided by pre-existing buffs. This means that +Attack buffs granted after dealing damage to Gahz'rilla will not have their effects doubled.

Gahz'rilla's triggered effect also takes into account temporary Attack buffs and nerfs, such as from Shrinkmeister. When affected by a temporary enchantment, Gahz'rilla's Attack will be adjusted as for permanent enchantments, but once the enchantment expires, Gahz'rilla's Attack will be recalculated.


 * A 6/9 Gahz'rilla is affected by Shrinkmeister's Battlecry, temporarily reducing it to a 4/9. The Gahz'rilla then takes a point of damage, doubling its Attack to 8: (((6 - 2) * 2) = 8). At the end of the turn, the Shrinkmeister's buff will be removed, and Gahz'rilla's Attack will therefore increase to 12, as the order of Attack calculation is now ((6 * 2) = 12).

Gahz'rilla's triggered effect does not take into account Attack gained from auras, such as Timber Wolf or Raid Leader. When the triggered effect is activated, Attack granted by auras will not be included, but the amount will still be applied on top of the Gahz'rilla's Attack once the doubling has occured. The basic rule for this appears to be that aura buffs are added to the minion's stats after all other effects.


 * A player has both Gahz'rilla and Timber Wolf on the board; Gahz'rilla therefore has 7 Attack: ((6 + 1) = 7). Gahz'rilla suffers a point of damage from an Elven Archer, therefore doubling its Attack. Aura-granted Attack is not included in the doubling, and Gahz'rilla's Attack is therefore increased by 6, for a new total of 13 Attack (((6 * 2) + 1) = 13). Gahz'rilla then suffers another point of damage, increasing its Attack by 12, for a new total of 25 ((((6 * 2) * 2) + 1) = 25). Timber Wolf is then removed from the field, reducing Gahz'rilla's Attack to 24.

Strategy
If you can keep it alive for one turn (or combo it with a Tundra Rhino) and any cards that deal a small amount of damage like Arcane Shot, Rapid Fire, Elven Archer, or Loose Specimen, you can keep doubling its damage to absurd levels. Gahz'rilla's cost can be reduced by Scarlet Webweaver, giving more options for the following turn.

Note that its effect will not trigger while under Immune given from Bestial Wrath since it is not technically receiving damage and temporary Attack boosts like Timber Wolf will not be doubled.

Lore

 * "Legend has it that was an adored pet of the, or even a demigod in her own right. Whatever the truth is, the s have worshiped this monstrous  for thousands of years. Ever wary of the beast's icy wrath, the trolls will only rouse Gahz'rilla when they have plentiful sacrifices to sate the ravenous creature's appetite." -


 * '' is a level 48 elite boss summoned in.


 * ''Long ago, when trolls used to occupy the land of, they built up Zul'Farrak, the sand troll city in Tanaris, with a sacred pool. From that pool the trolls summoned the huge hydra Gahz'rilla, so fierce that even her scales crackle with energy. The trolls worshipped her as a deity, but the summoning of Gahz'rilla is a well-kept secret of the trolls. Gahz'rilla is said to be a demigod.

Trivia

 * The artwork for this card comes from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game "Betrayal of the Guardian" series, for the card Gahz'rilla.

Patch changes

 * Added.