Anointed Deacon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Cleric |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 89 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Winona Nelson |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may have target Vampire get +2/+0 until end of turn.
Inspiration is red as rubies, flowing like honeyed wine.
Cards like Anointed Deacon
Within the rich tapestry of tribal support cards in Magic: The Gathering, Anointed Deacon stands out as a supportive figure for Vampire decks. It mirrors the function of cards like Death Baron, which provide a buff to a specific creature type. However, where Death Baron grants a static power and toughness increase to Skeletons and Zombies, Anointed Deacon focuses on a more dynamic ability, targeting only one Vampire at a time but with a larger boost during your turn.
Looking at Elvish Archdruid, we observe a similar theme of tribal bolstering, though geared towards Elves and additionally ramping mana. Anointed Deacon, in contrast, forsakes mana acceleration for combat prowess. Bishop of the Bloodstained is yet another related card that capitalizes on the number of Vampires under your control, dealing direct damage as a one-off effect rather than augmenting strength in battle like Anointed Deacon does.
In sum, within the broad category of creature-type-specific enhancers, Anointed Deacon has its niche, providing vital tempo and strength to Vampire strategies during skirmishes on the MTG battlefield. This card’s targeted ability to make one Vampire a significant threat each turn carves out a unique space for it among similar tribal support cards.
Cards similar to Anointed Deacon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Anointed Deacon’s ability to boost a Vampire’s power can quickly turn the tide by strengthening your battlefield presence, giving an edge over opponents without having to play additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure, the Anointed Deacon can be seen as a force multiplier, making your existing creatures far more threatening and potentially saving you mana that you would have to spend on other buffs.
Instant Speed: The synergy of the Anointed Deacon with cards that have flash or instant speed interactions elevates its strategic value. By boosting creatures at the beginning of combat, it can create unexpected shifts in power dynamics and catch opponents off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In some situations, Anointed Deacon can be less than optimal if it forces you to discard another creature card to synergize well with its ability. This can set you back in terms of card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: As a card that requires specific mana, including both black and generic mana, Anointed Deacon might not fit smoothly into multicolored decks or those that can’t reliably produce black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana for a creature that offers a conditional power boost can be a tall order, especially in formats where board presence and cost efficiency are key. You might find yourself falling behind if you dedicate such a substantial amount of your mana to a single card without immediate and significant impact.
Reasons to Include Anointed Deacon in Your Collection
Versatility: Anointed Deacon is a flexible asset in Vampire tribes or decks that leverage buffs for attacking creatures. This card’s ability to enhance another Vampire’s power during each attack offers strategic value across various gameplay scenarios.
Combo Potential: Anointed Deacon’s capability to consistently increase a Vampire’s strength can be paired with cards that thrive on creature potency. It serves as a great enabler for various combos, acting as a force multiplier for creatures on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In the current MTG environment where tribal decks can be quite effective, Anointed Deacon stands out by offering a cost-effective way to strengthen Vampire synergy and bolster your board presence against opponent threats.
How to beat
The Anointed Deacon presents an interesting challenge within MTG due to its ability to empower other Vampires on the battlefield. This creature card is known to bolster your opponent’s vampire-themed strategy, providing a significant buff during the combat phase. A core strategy to overcome this adversary is disrupting this synergy by removing or neutralizing the Deacon before the combat phase, essentially weakening your opponent’s vampires. It is crucial to manage your resources effectively, keeping removal spells or abilities at the ready for pivotal moments.
To circumvent the buff Anointed Deacon provides, focus on cards that can unconditionally destroy or exile creatures, ensuring the Deacon’s influence is short-lived. Additionally, as the Deacon’s effect triggers at the beginning of combat, instant-speed interaction is your best friend. Be strategic and maintain control of the board. Employing these tactics can effectively diminish the Deacon’s impact, allowing you to stabilize the board and shift the tide of battle in your favor.
Ultimately, facing the Anointed Deacon is about timing and resource management. Remove it promptly, and you’ll significantly undermine any vampire-centric deck’s combat effectiveness, paving your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anointed Deacon MTG card by a specific set like 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 Anointed Deacon 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anointed Deacon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |