Alabaster Host Intercessor MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Samurai |
| Abilities | Cycling,Plainscycling |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 3 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Konstantin Porubov |
Text of card
When Alabaster Host Intercessor enters the battlefield, exile target creature an opponent controls until Alabaster Host Intercessor leaves the battlefield. Plainscycling (, Discard this card: Search your library for a Plains card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)
Cards like Alabaster Host Intercessor
Alabaster Host Intercessor joins the ranks of lifelink creatures within the world of Magic: The Gathering. One notable counterpart is Vampire Nighthawk, a creature that offers not just lifelink but also flying and deathtouch, providing significant board presence and versatility. However, the Alabaster Host Intercessor stands out with its Angel Cleric synergies, which can be crucial in specific tribal decks that benefit from these creature types.
Another similar option is Healer’s Hawk, which boasts lifelink and flying for a mere one mana, making it an efficient early play. While it doesn’t have the raw power or tribal characteristics of Alabaster Host Intercessor, the Hawk can be pivotal in an aggro strategy where early damage and life gain are invaluable. Likewise, Ajani’s Pridemate presents an interesting comparison with its ability to grow as you gain life, potentially becoming a substantial threat, unlike the fixed stats on Alabaster Host Intercessor.
Each of these cards offers unique advantages, but in decks that capitalize on Angel or Cleric types, or in games where a sturdy lifelink creature is paramount, Alabaster Host Intercessor stands as a firm selection, underscoring the importance of context in evaluating MTG cards.
Cards similar to Alabaster Host Intercessor by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Alabaster Host Intercessor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Reanimator | Standard | The Pizza Box Open: Standard | |
| Mono-White Control | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 | |
| Boros Midrange | Pioneer | Boros God-Pharaoh's Gift | F2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship) |
| Mono-White Midrange | Pauper | Standard Pauper |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Alabaster Host Intercessor can significantly enhance your position with its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard. This offers you a solid card advantage as you reclaim valuable assets that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does it bring back a creature card to the battlefield, but Alabaster Host Intercessor’s effect also provides an additional body on the field. This effectively accelerates your resource establishment, not just by returning a creature but by contributing an additional unit for defense or offense.
Instant Speed: The versatility of this card is further augmented by its instant speed, allowing you to wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to bring back a creature. This strategic move can disrupt your opponent’s plans, and since it’s at instant speed, it keeps your options open as the game progresses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Alabaster Host Intercessor mandates a card discard to activate its strongest abilities. This can hamper your hand, particularly if your strategy relies on maintaining a variety of options or if the game drags towards a late stage where each resource is vital.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana types for casting, potentially complicating its incorporation into multi-colored decks. Players must consider their mana base carefully to ensure they can meet its color-specific needs without disrupting their deck’s broader strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end of the spectrum, Alabaster Host Intercessor might not fit seamlessly into aggressive or tempo-oriented strategies. Given its cost, players might find themselves weighing its potential impact against that of other cards with similar resource demands but possibly more immediate or impactful effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Alabaster Host Intercessor offers a flexible role in deck building. As a card that provides life gain and creature support, it can integrate seamlessly into lifelink-focused decks or any white-based creature strategies in need of a solid defensive option.
Combo Potential: The Intercessor shines when combined with cards that capitalize on life gain triggers or those that benefit from having a diverse array of creatures on the battlefield. It’s an excellent add-on for synergizing with angel or cleric tribal themes.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in both offensive and defensive strategies, Alabaster Host Intercessor fares well in a meta that requires flexibility and resilience. Its presence on the board can provide a stabilizing force against an array of current competitive deck types, making it a valuable asset in many matchups.
How to beat
Alabaster Host Intercessor is a newcomer to the realm of Magic: The Gathering that brings an angelic presence to the battlefield. This celestial entity not only bolsters your life total but also exudes resilience thanks to its powerful lifelink ability. As challenging as it might seem to counter, savvy players can employ certain strategies to triumph over this divine adversary.
One effective approach is to utilize removal spells that can bypass the creature’s defenses. Spells with exile effects, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can serve as a clean solution, ensuring that the angel doesn’t get a chance to flex its life-gaining muscle. Alternatively, controlling the board with enchantments like Pacifism can render the Intercessor harmless, effectively grounding it without triggering any on-death abilities. Playing aggressively and maintaining pressure is also key. You would want to diminish your opponent’s resources and minimize their chances to cast such high-impact creatures. Acknowledging the threat that Alabaster Host Intercessor represents and having a game plan ready is paramount to not only weather its arrival but also to turn the tides in your favor.
In essence, confronting the Alabaster Host Intercessor head-on can be intimidating, yet with the right strategy and a toolkit of efficient responses, one can ensure that this card does not become an insurmountable obstacle in the quest for victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alabaster Host Intercessor MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Alabaster Host Intercessor 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Alabaster Host Intercessor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Alabaster Host Intercessor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | If Alabaster Host Intercessor leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the target creature won’t be exiled at all. |