Basri, Devoted Paladin MTG Card


Bolsters board presence with token generation and scales with creature-based draw effects for consistent options. Ultimate provides resource conservation, giving creatures indestructibility and freeing mana for other plays. Generates a token at instant speed for immediate tactical advantages in offense and defense situations.
Basri, Devoted Paladin - Core Set 2021
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Basri
Released2020-07-03
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2021
Set codeM21
Loyalty 4
Number320
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJason Rainville

Text of card

+1: Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature. It gains vigilance until end of turn. −1: Whenever a creature attacks this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on it. −6: Creatures you control get +2/+2 and gain flying until end of turn.


Cards like Basri, Devoted Paladin

Basri, Devoted Paladin stands out as a notable figure in the realm of planeswalker cards in MTG. Much like Ajani Steadfast, Basri focuses on empowering creatures and enhancing combat capabilities. However, Basri does so with a bent towards creating and bolstering tokens, emblematic of his lore and story. Comparatively, Ajani Steadfast’s abilities target all creatures you control, and while he offers a similar boost with his emblem, his support extends to a more diversified set of abilities.

Looking at another similar card, Gideon, Ally of Zendikar brings a level of versatility that is echoed in Basri’s design. Both planeswalkers can generate creature tokens to assist in overwhelming opponents. Nevertheless, Gideon offers an alternative route with the potential to become an indestructible creature himself. This flexibility can make Gideon a more formidable standalone threat where Basri leans on his synergy with a wide creature strategy.

In summation, while each planeswalker brings its unique flavor to the battlefield, Basri, Devoted Paladin holds his ground due to his focused token strategy and the cumulative power his abilities afford to swarm tactics in MTG, his card remaining a stout presence in decks that favor a steadfast legion of creatures.

Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Basri, Devoted Paladin by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Basri, Devoted Paladin ensures your hand doesn’t run dry by generating a steady stream of tokens. Not only does this bolster your battlefield presence, but it also synergizes well with effects that draw cards for each creature you control or put into play, supplying a continuous flow of options.

Resource Acceleration: Basri’s loyalty abilities focus on empowering your creatures, but his ultimate can act as a form of resource acceleration. By giving your creatures indestructible, you effectively save resources typically spent on protecting them, allowing you to allocate mana elsewhere, enhancing your overall game play tempo.

Instant Speed: While Basri himself doesn’t operate at instant speed, his second ability creates a Knight creature token with vigilance that becomes an immediate asset for both offense and defense. This can be critical in responding to an opponent’s threats during their turn, making it seem as though Basri’s influence can be felt at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Basri, Devoted Paladin doesn’t directly require you to discard a card, its abilities may indirectly pressure your hand size. The need to cast other creatures to maximize Basri’s benefits can deplete your hand faster than you might like.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific commitment to white mana in your deck build. With a casting cost including two white mana symbols, it can be restrictive for multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently provide the necessary white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at five mana to cast, this card competes with other impactful five-mana spells but may fall short. In formats where efficiency is key, the mana investment in Basri, Devoted Paladin could be a significant drawback, especially if you’re aiming to establish board presence or interact more frequently in the early game.


Reasons to Include Basri, Devoted Paladin in Your Collection

Versatility: Basri, Devoted Paladin shines in decks that focus on creature strategies, bolstering your board presence and providing incremental advantage with each loyalty ability.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with proliferate mechanics or any effects that add loyalty counters, allowing you to maximize his abilities and synergize with a wide array of white-centric strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by aggressive or creature-heavy decks, Basri’s ability to create and empower tokens makes him a relevant choice to maintain board control and apply consistent pressure.


How to beat Basri, Devoted Paladin

Bassri, Devoted Paladin strengthens any deck with its ability to empower creatures and accentuate a go-wide strategy. With a shield-like effect for your squad and a final ability capable of producing a vast army, overcoming this card requires precise strategy. The key is to manage the battlefield; removal spells that can handle multiple creatures, such as Wrath of God or Doomskar, dismantle the bolstered ranks that Basri aims to create. It’s also wise to focus on single-target removal like Murder or Heartless Act when Basri’s first ability is on the stack, eliminating essential targets before they receive Indestructible.

Alternatively, countering spells that disrupt opposing strategies can ensure Basri, Devoted Paladin never affects the board. Counterspells such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto are excellent for this purpose. More so, applying pressure early on to the opponent can sidestep the late-game threat that Basri poses, steering the match in your favor before their game plan unfolds. In essence, by prioritizing board control, leveraging strategic removals, and maintaining a proactive stance, one can keep Basri from tipping the scales and secure victory against this formidable Paladin.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basri, Devoted Paladin MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Basri, Devoted Paladin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basri, Devoted Paladin has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Basri, Devoted Paladin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 After activating Basri's second ability, a creature that attacks gets a +1/+1 counter before blockers are chosen.
2020-06-23 Basri's last ability affects only creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won't get +2/+2 or gain flying.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.