First Responder MTG Card


First Responder excels in durability and life gain, making it a powerful asset in prolonged encounters. Its instant speed ability and vigilant nature make it a flexible and formidable force on the battlefield. However, the card’s discard activation and specific mana cost can pose strategic challenges for players.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Ogre Citizen
Abilities Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Vigilance At the beginning of your end step, you may return another creature you control to its owner's hand, then put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to that creature's power on First Responder.


Cards like First Responder

First Responder is an intriguing option within Magic: The Gathering for players looking to bolster their defensive strategies. It offers a unique blend of toughness and life gain unparalleled by many. When compared to cards like Wall of Reverence, which provides consistent life gain based on the toughness of creatures you control, First Responder stands out due to its direct engagement in combat to activate its life gain ability.

Palisade Giant is another card that echoes the protection theme, absorbing damage that would be dealt to other creatures or to a player. While Palisade Giant acts as a broader shield, First Responder focuses on individual combat encounters, offering a more targeted approach to manipulation. Guardian of the Gateless is also within this sphere, being able to block multiple creatures and gain additional toughness, yet it lacks the straightforward life gain mechanic that First Responder provides upon dealing damage.

Overall, when comparing utility and defensive capabilities, First Responder creates opportunities for life total maintenance in MTG, with an emphasis on combat interactions. It’s an asset for players in need of a reliable combatant that also aids in stabilizing their life throughout the game.

Wall of Reverence - MTG Card versions
Palisade Giant - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Gateless - MTG Card versions
Wall of Reverence - MTG Card versions
Palisade Giant - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Gateless - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to First Responder by color, type and mana cost

Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
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Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Pixie Queen - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The First Responder card shines when it comes to grinding out long games. Its ability to provide incremental life gain can lead to a substantial advantage over time, allowing you to outlast opponents in drawn-out battles.

Resource Acceleration: With its reasonable casting cost, First Responder helps stabilize your game early on. Its vigilance ability ensures that you can maintain a strong defense while still applying pressure on your opponent, effectively speeding up your board presence without sacrificing protection.

Instant Speed: A notable trait of First Responder is the possibility to utilize its abilities at instant speed. This flexibility means that during the heat of battle, you’re not only gaining life but also potentially disrupting opponent strategies. Acting at instant speed enables you to make optimal plays by reacting to the state of the game as it unfolds.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The First Responder card demands that the player discards another card to activate its capabilities. This can put players at a significant disadvantage, particularly when they are desperate for resources or during the late game when each card’s strategic value is at its peak.

Specific Mana Cost: First Responder requires an exact combination of mana types for casting, which may not always be readily available, especially in multi-colored decks. The constraint can hinder the seamless play, keeping the card in hand when it could have been a key play if it had a more flexible mana requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher end for its effects, First Responder competes with other cards in its slot that could potentially offer more impactful game presence or versatility at a lower mana investment, making it a less favorable option in many deck builds where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: First Responder offers a unique blend of lifelink and a robust defense, making it an ideal addition to decks focusing on life gain or those requiring a dependable blocker.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain life with each block opens up synergies with cards that flourish from life changes, making it a valuable piece in intricate combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that’s heavy on aggressive strategies, First Responder shines as a counteracting force, making it a relevant choice for maintaining balance in your battles.


How to beat

The First Responder card offers intriguing gameplay mechanics, akin to trusty lifeline providers in the game. Equipped with formidable defense metrics, it can be quite a hurdle for opponents. To tackle this adversary efficiently, adopting direct removal spells is a savvy strategy. Rather than engaging in battle, spells that can unceremoniously dispatch creatures regardless of their defensive stats can neutralize First Responder swiftly. Consider using unconditional removal like Doom Blade or Murder, which bypass the creature’s defensive utility, elegantly sidestepping its on-field prowess.

Alternatively, enchanting First Responder with Pacifism or similar effects that nullify its combat capabilities can also be effective. This method ensures that while it remains on the battlefield, its ability to intervene is considerably hampered. Further, exploiting its absence of evasion abilities, like flying or trample, by deploying creatures with such skills, can help circumvent First Responder’s formidable presence, providing a clear path to your opponent’s life points.

Overall, when faced with First Responder, the focus should be on removing, incapacitating, or outmaneuvering. Strategic planning leveraging the right mix of spells and creatures to render First Responder inert can assure victory without getting entangled in its defensive web.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deepening your MTG arsenal with well-chosen cards like First Responder can signify a turning point in your strategic gameplay. Its blend of lifegain, board stability, and instant speed interaction enriches your defensive capabilities while providing valuable synergies. As the ever-shifting meta challenges players to adapt, including such versatile cards in your collection might just tip the scales in your favor. If you’re aiming to strengthen your defense or craft a deck around life manipulation, consider giving First Responder a role in your lineup. Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us and discover how First Responder and similar cards can reinforce your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase First Responder MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, 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 First Responder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The First Responder Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Helge C. Balzer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1602015NormalBlackHelge C. Balzer
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 602015NormalBlackHelge C. Balzer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where First Responder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
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.