Alharu, Solemn Ritualist MTG Card
2020-11-20 - Number 4
2020-11-20 - Number 548
2023-04-21 - Number 168
2023-08-04 - Number 8
2002-06-24 - Number 86320
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Monk |
| Abilities | Partner |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Alharu, Solemn Ritualist enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two other target creatures. Whenever a nontoken creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it dies, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
Cards like Alharu, Solemn Ritualist
Alharu, Solemn Ritualist boasts a unique place among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with its focus on +1/+1 counters and token generation. This card shares similarities with Anointed Procession, a card that also amplifies token production. However, where Alharu, Solemn Ritualist differs is in its ability to consistently place +1/+1 counters on creatures as they enter the battlefield, enabling creatures to grow stronger upon each entry.
Kazandu Tuskcaller levels up a little differently, gradually building a board presence by creating Elephant tokens. While this mirrors Alharu’s token generation strategy, it lacks the immediate impact that +1/+1 counters offer to give your creatures an on-the-spot advantage. Meanwhile, Luminarch Aspirant, like Alharu, also places +1/+1 counters on creatures. The distinction lies in the Aspirant’s ability to add counters with each combat phase, as opposed to Alharu’s trigger upon the death of another creature which can instantly generate a myriad of tokens alongside the counters.
When comparing the dynamic methods of enhancing battlefield presence, Alharu, Solemn Ritualist is an MTG card that can decisively shape the state of the game with its potent blend of counter distribution and token creation upon death triggers.
Cards similar to Alharu, Solemn Ritualist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Alharu, Solemn Ritualist, you gain the upper hand by creating numerous 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying. The tokens are generated not just when Alharu enters the battlefield, but also whenever Alharu leaves it, giving you a recurring value that can critically overwhelm your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Alharu pairs excellently with sacrifice strategies, effectively turning your creatures into valuable resources. Each time you leverage a creature with a +1/+1 counter for a greater cause, you’re greeted with a bounty of spirits that can be converted into game-winning pressure or defensive fortifications. This engine of productivity keeps your board state thriving and can hasten your path to victory.
Instant Speed: The interactions sparked by Alharu can seamlessly integrate at instant speed, thanks to the myriad abilities on creatures it supports. This means you can end-of-turn create spirit tokens, or churn out an army just before your turn begins, taking your foes by surprise and optimizing your strategies to adapt to the ever-shifting landscape of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Alharu, Solemn Ritualist, doesn’t have a discard requirement, enabling players to maintain their hand size when casting this creature.
Specific Mana Cost: Alharu’s casting cost demands white mana, which may restrict its inclusion to decks that have a strong white mana base or are willing to splash white.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Alharu may compete for a slot in the curve with other impactful five-mana value plays or potentially more efficient creature options.
Reasons to Include Alharu, Solemn Ritualist in Your Collection
Versatility: Alharu, Solemn Ritualist brings a level of flexibility to your deck that is hard to pass up. Capable of fitting seamlessly into Commander decks centered around +1/+1 counters or themes of sacrificing creatures for value, it ensures that your strategies have the support they need to thrive in a variety of situations.
Combo Potential: Thanks to Alharu’s ability to create +1/+1 counters, it can act as a critical component in combos that exploit counters or death triggers. This can lead to explosive turns where you outmaneuver opponents by escalating the power of your creatures or orchestrating key synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and creature advantage are crucial, Alharu can play a significant role. With the capacity to make your creatures persistently more formidable, Alharu ensures your deck can stand up to the evolving challenges of the current meta.
How to beat
Alharu, Solemn Ritualist is a unique addition to the commander arsenal that can make any MTG player’s strategy more challenging to confront. The trick to overpowering this card lies in understanding its mechanic, which focuses on putting +1/+1 counters on creatures and creating Spirits when those creatures die. To counteract Alharu’s impact, consider using removal spells that exile creatures rather than destroy them, circumventing Alharu’s ability to create those pesky Spirit tokens.
Negating the triggers of Alharu can also be an effective strategy. Cards that prevent abilities from activating or that negate abilities, such as ‘Stifle’ or ‘Disallow’, can be crucial in stopping those additional +1/+1 counters from ever hitting the board. Moreover, sweepers that clear the board of all creatures, like ‘Damnation’ or ‘Wrath of God’, can reset the battlefield before Alharu’s abilities become overwhelming. Always remember, timing your removal correctly and managing the buildup of counters is the backbone to beating Alharu efficiently.
Ultimately, while Alharu, Solemn Ritualist enables a variety of synergies within MTG, with thoughtful strategy and the right deck tailored toward controlling the board state, you can overcome this steadfast commander and any army they lead into battle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alharu, Solemn Ritualist MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Alharu, Solemn Ritualist and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Alharu, Solemn Ritualist Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 86320 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | ||
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 548 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 4 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 5 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Alharu, Solemn Ritualist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Alharu, Solemn Ritualist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders. |
| 2020-11-10 | Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library. |
| 2020-11-10 | If Alharu has a +1/+1 counter on it and dies, its ability triggers for itself. |
| 2020-11-10 | If a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it dies at the same time as Alharu, Alharu's ability triggers for that creature. |
| 2020-11-10 | If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens. |
| 2020-11-10 | If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue. |
| 2020-11-10 | Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined. |
| 2020-11-10 | To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander. |
| 2020-11-10 | You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes. |
| 2020-11-10 | You create just one Spirit token, not one for each +1/+1 counter that was on the creature that died. |