Abbey Matron MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 2b
1995-10-01 - Number 2a
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
o W, oc T: +0/+3 until end of turn
"The Matrons still say Serra is coming back. I bet she never even existed." —Murat, Death Speaker
Cards like Abbey Matron
Abbey Matron is a unique creature in the vast realm of Magic: The Gathering. As part of the Homelands set, it boasts a humble defensive ability that resembles the function of cards like Mesa Pegasus. Both cards serve as low-cost creatures with an emphasis on guarding your life total rather than aggressive onslaught. However, Abbey Matron’s ability grants it additional toughness for a turn, offering a protective boost unlike the static bonus of Mesa Pegasus.
Within the same spectrum, Knight of the Mists presents an interesting comparison. Like Abbey Matron, it’s a creature with a flavor of resilience – though it lacks the latter’s boost in toughness. The Knight does feature a flicker mechanic that can impact the battlefield differently, by potentially ousting other creatures. Then, there’s Shield Bearer, which stands parallel to the Abbey Matron in terms of cost and its capacity to guard your important assets, albeit through a banding ability, which necessitates strategic formations rather than individual toughness augmentation.
Overall, Abbey Matron finds its place as a narrow but effective choice for those seeking defensive strategies. Its adaptable toughness boost can be a crucial tactic for MTG players looking to stave off early aggression on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Abbey Matron by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Abbey Matron might not directly draw you cards, it provides valuable utility which can indirectly lead to card advantage by maintaining a board presence and pressuring your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Abbey Matron doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration, but its low casting cost facilitates an efficient use of mana, enabling you to deploy other spells sooner and maintain tempo.
Instant Speed: Abbey Matron operates at sorcery speed, emphasizing strategic planning. However, this allows for smooth execution of turn sequences, as you can reliably predict this card’s place in your game plan without needing to reserve mana for reactive plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Abbey Matron’s ability necessitates the discard of another card from your hand, which can be costly when you’re already running low on cards. This might put you at a considerable disadvantage in longer games where card advantage becomes crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring white mana for its activation makes Abbey Matron less flexible in multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently produce the required mana. This limitation can hinder its playability across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost and an activation cost that both require three mana, the card is on the pricier side for its defensive stats and abilities. There are creatures at a similar mana range that offer more impactful abilities or better stats, potentially making the Matron a less attractive option in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Abbey Matron in Your Collection
Versatility: Abbey Matron may not be the flashiest card in MTG, but its ability to block early-game aggressors can be useful in a variety of white-based decks. The single white mana activation cost also makes it a flexible defensive option in multicolored decks.
Combo Potential: While not a combo enabler in the traditional sense, Abbey Matron’s resistance to being bumped off the battlefield pairs well with equipment or auras that benefit from enduring creatures, offering some interesting build-around possibilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a local meta that leans towards aggressive tactics, including creatures like Abbey Matron could help stabilize the early game and set up for a late-game win condition. Its low cost and defensive utility make it a consideration for sideboards when facing down onslaughts of swift creatures.
How to beat
Abbey Matron is a unique creature card that adds a defensive depth to gameplay in Magic: The Gathering. While not widely recognized for aggressive play, Abbey Matron can be a hindrance due to its ability to pump its toughness in exchange for mana. This can make it quite resilient against direct damage spells or smaller creatures in combat.
To effectively counter Abbey Matron, it’s essential to understand the strategies that minimize its defensive capacity. Removal spells that don’t rely on damage, such as Path to Exile or Murder, can bypass its toughness increasing ability. Board wipes like Wrath of God also prove effective as they do not target individual creatures. Additionally, utilizing cards that force an opponent to sacrifice creatures can neutralize Abbey Matron without triggering on its abilities that require targeted spells. Edict effects like Diabolic Edict present smart removal choices that circumvent the need to contend with a potentially fortified Abbey Matron.
Consider incorporating these methods in your deck to maintain tempo and control over the battlefield. This ensures that an opposing Abbey Matron doesn’t become an unwelcome obstacle to your path to victory. Abbey Matron’s utility lies in defense, but with the right tools and strategies, its presence can be managed efficiently.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Abbey Matron MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Abbey Matron and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Abbey Matron Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 1995-10-01. Illustrated by Mike Kimble.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Abbey Matron has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |