Ancestor's Prophet MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 3
2020-09-26 - Number ONS-3
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Tap five untapped Clerics you control: You gain 10 life.
"We have faced horrors of war and terrors beyond imagining. We will overcome the uncertainties of this new life."
Cards like Ancestor's Prophet
Ancestor’s Prophet is a unique offering in the world of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It is somewhat akin to Healer’s Hawk, as both cards possess a lifelink ability, allowing players to gain life equal to the damage dealt. However, Ancestor’s Prophet stands out because of its tap ability to rejuvenate your life points by a significant amount, given you control enough clerics. Conversely, Healer’s Hawk can benefit from its flying trait, granting evasion that Ancestor’s Prophet lacks.
Looking at other similar cards, we come across Karlov of the Ghost Council. Karlov also thrives on gaining life but, instead of a tap ability, it accrues +1/+1 counters with each life gained, turning it into a potential heavyweight attacker or defender. Additionally, its ability to exile a target creature using two +1/+1 counters adds a layer of control that Ancestor’s Prophet doesn’t offer.
Scrutinizing these cards side by side demonstrates that Ancestor’s Prophet’s strength lies in its potential to change the tide of a game with its life-gathering talent, although it demands a certain board presence. It’s a specialized card that shines in a dedicated cleric strategy and exemplifies the diverse array of tactical options available to players in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Ancestor's Prophet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ancestor’s Prophet provides a unique opportunity to potentially draw multiple cards by tapping five untapped Clerics you control. This ability can be a powerful engine to refill your hand, ensuring you’re not losing steam as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: While Ancestor’s Prophet does not directly generate mana or tokens, the ability to recycle your Clerics by returning them from your graveyard to your hand can be seen as a form of resource acceleration, giving you access to your key creatures for repeated use.
Instant Speed: Although the Prophet’s ability is not at instant speed itself, it synergizes well with other instant-speed spells and abilities. You can strategically choose when to tap your Clerics for the Prophet’s effect, potentially in response to an opponent’s move or at the end of their turn to maximize your advantage on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ancestor’s Prophet doesn’t require you to discard cards, focusing instead on a tap ability that could still leave you choosing between using your creatures for the effect or for defense.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a heavy commitment to white mana, making it a potentially awkward fit in multicolored decks that might not consistently produce enough white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana to get Ancestor’s Prophet on the field is a significant investment. This is especially true in formats where faster, low-cost creatures can often dictate the pace of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ancestor’s Prophet offers a unique blend of life-gain and creature utility, making it a strong addition to any deck that values life as a resource or plays around with the human creature type. Its ability to convert a health advantage into card advantage is an asset in numerous strategies.
Combo Potential: Known for its capability to untap all humans you control, this card can weave into infinite combos or simply act as a means to reactivate essential tap abilities. It’s a key piece in decks that aim for a big turn by unlocking multiple use cases for their creatures.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting MTG landscape, having a card that reacts well against aggressive strategies can be a game-changer. Ancestor’s Prophet can swiftly turn the tides by refilling your hand, giving you the answers you need to maintain dominance on the battlefield.
How to beat Ancestor’s Prophet
Ancestor’s Prophet can be a pivotal card in MTG, allowing players to gain significant life if they have control of enough Clerics. Neutralizing this creature becomes essential in matchups where opponents rely on its activated ability to stabilize or turn the tide of battle. A common strategy involves the timely removal of the Prophet or disrupting the Cleric synergy relying on your own removal spells like Path to Exile or board wipes such as Wrath of God, which can clear the board irrespective of creature size.
Counteracting Ancestor’s Prophet doesn’t always require direct removal. Utilizing cards that prevent the activation of abilities can also be effective. Linvala, Keeper of Silence, for instance, shuts down any chance of the Prophet’s ability firing off if the opponent can’t respond to Linvala’s presence on the battlefield. In the end, your game plan against Ancestor’s Prophet should revolve around anticipating its activation and preparing a response that maintains your control over the game’s pace and state of the board.
Ultimately, knowing when to time your removal or disruption is key; whether you choose to play proactively or reactively will depend on your deck’s strengths and your read of the opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ancestor's Prophet MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and The List, 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 Ancestor's Prophet 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 Ancestor's Prophet Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2002-10-07. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ancestor's Prophet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ancestor's Prophet card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It can tap itself but is not required to do so. |
| 2004-10-04 | Since the ability does not have the symbol, you can use the ability before this creature begins a turn under your control. |