Vanquisher's Banner MTG Card


It ensures a full hand by letting you draw whenever you cast a creature of the chosen type. Increasing creature power leads to quicker board dominance and potential game wins. Works exceptionally well with instant-speed creatures, maintaining tempo and momentum.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

As Vanquisher's Banner enters the battlefield, choose a creature type. Creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1. Whenever you cast a creature spell of the chosen type, draw a card.


Cards like Vanquisher's Banner

The allure of Vanquisher’s Banner in Magic: The Gathering lies in its seamless blend of creature enhancement and card draw mechanics. Comparable to The Immortal Sun, both artifacts provide a boost to your creatures’ power. However, unlike The Immortal Sun which broadens its offering with cost reductions, extra damage, and planeswalker suppression, Vanquisher’s Banner is laser-focused, rewarding you with cards for casting creatures of a chosen type, turning each summon into potential new strategies.

Another peer in this space is Coat of Arms. Though it does not offer the card draw perk, it excels in escalating the power and toughness of your creatures for each matching type on the battlefield, amplifying the threat-level significantly in tribal decks. Herald’s Horn, meanwhile, reduces the casting cost of creature spells of the chosen type and occasionally tops up your hand with extra tribal members, achieving a delicate balance between resource optimization and card advantage.

In essence, Vanquisher’s Banner carves a niche for itself within Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of tribal support cards. While not as diversified in utilities as some alternatives, its precise focus on empowerment through card draw and stat boosts makes it an invaluable asset in tribal-themed decks, synergizing with the overarching strategy effortlessly.

The Immortal Sun - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
The Immortal Sun - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vanquisher's Banner by color, type and mana cost

Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vanquisher’s Banner is a potent tool for achieving significant card advantage. Once on the battlefield, it allows you to draw a card every time you cast a creature spell of the chosen type, ensuring a steady stream of resources in your hand while you command the game.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, this artifact increases your deck’s efficiency by empowering your creatures of the chosen type with a +1/+1 buff. This can lead to faster victories as your enhanced creatures overpower your opponent’s defenses.

Instant Speed: Although Vanquisher’s Banner is not an instant itself, it is noteworthy that the card-drawing ability triggers upon casting creatures of the chosen type. This synergizes well with creatures that can be cast at instant speed, allowing you to potentially draw cards during your opponent’s turn and maintain momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Vanquisher’s Banner enhances tribal gameplay, it does not impose a discard requirement. Discarding cards is commonly seen as a downside, but players can rest assured that this card will only bolster their hand without the need to sacrifice other valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Vanquisher’s Banner has a specific requirement of five colorless mana. This can be a setback in decks that rely on a tightly curved mana base, as it may clash with the strategy of playing multiple spells in a turn or requiring swift board development with lower-cost creatures.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Vanquisher’s Banner is on the higher end of the mana curve. Its impact on the board may come too late in fast-paced matches, making it less optimal in aggressive deck strategies where lower-costing cards may provide quicker benefits to the player.


Reasons to Include Vanquisher’s Banner in Your Collection

Versatility: Vanquisher’s Banner is a great inclusion in any tribal deck, granting both a boost to your creatures and a consistent source of card advantage whenever you cast a creature of the chosen type.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies that revolve around playing numerous creatures of the same type. Each time you summon an applicable creature, it not only gets stronger but also draws you a card, potentially fueling further plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potency in tribal formats, Vanquisher’s Banner remains relevant in metas where creature-based strategies prevail. It helps maintain pressure against control decks while keeping your hand filled against more aggressive opponents.


How to beat

Vanquisher’s Banner is a standout artifact in MTG that boosts both the strength of your creatures and your card economy. This potent card has a significant impact on tribal decks, where the banner not only empowers creatures of the chosen type but also offers card draw upon casting creatures of that type. It’s a real game-changer on the battlefield, providing a steady flow of resources.

To counter Vanquisher’s Banner, it’s imperative to disrupt the synergy it creates. Artifact removal spells are your most straightforward option. Cards like Naturalize, Disenchant, or Abrade can dispatch the banner directly from the field. If your opponent has already established a board presence, consider sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation to level the playing field. You could also employ countermeasures that specifically target your opponent’s card advantage, for example, Narset, Parter of Veils, to limit their draws. Bear in mind that the longer the banner remains active, the more difficult it becomes to regain control, so time your interventions early and decisively.

Ultimately, facing Vanquisher’s Banner requires a blend of tactical destruction and strategic foresight. Keeping key removal cards in hand and prioritizing the elimination of key artifacts can be the difference between victory and defeat against a deck armed with this formidable card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Vanquisher’s Banner can significantly bolster your MTG gameplay, especially if you’re a devotee of tribal strategies. Each casting of a creature becomes an opportunity to cement your dominance on the board with added power and card advantage. As you refine your deck-building skills, consider how this card might fit into your broader game plan. Are you prepared to sway the tide of battle in your favor with each creature you summon? Dive deeper into the mechanics, strategies, and synergies with us at BurnMana, and ensure your collection is as formidable as your ambition. Discover how Vanquisher’s Banner can be the cornerstone of your next triumphant tribal assembly.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vanquisher's Banner MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan Promos and Ixalan, 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 Vanquisher's Banner and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vanquisher's Banner Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 251s2015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
22017-09-29IxalanXLN 2512015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
32017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 251p2015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
42020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-2512015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
52021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 4021997NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3882015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
72023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2892015NormalBlackUriah Voth
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9822015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
92023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3162015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vanquisher's Banner 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 Vanquisher's Banner card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-09-29 The choice of creature type is made as Vanquisher's Banner enters the battlefield. Players can't respond to this choice. The bonus starts applying immediately.
2017-09-29 The last ability of Vanquisher's Banner resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. The ability will resolve even if the creature spell is countered.
2021-03-19 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to a creature you control of the chosen type may become lethal if Vanquisher's Banner leaves the battlefield during that turn.
2021-03-19 To choose a creature type, you must choose an existing creature type, such as Fungus or Sliver. You can't choose multiple creature types, such as Fungus Sliver. Card types such as artifact can't be chosen, nor can subtypes that aren't creature types, such as Jace, Vehicle, or Treasure.