Arashin Cleric MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Released | 2015-01-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fate Reforged |
| Set code | FRF |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 5 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chris Rahn |
Text of card
When Arashin Cleric enters the battlefield, you gain 3 life.
"We'll have time to put out the fires when those trapped within the ruins are safe."
Cards like Arashin Cleric
Arashin Cleric serves as a reliable utility creature in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other life-gain creatures with low casting costs. A functional counterpart to consider is Cathedral Sanctifier, which, when it enters the battlefield, grants you three life. The advantage the Arashin Cleric has over the Sanctifier is the bolstered toughness of three, potentially allowing it to survive conflicts that the Sanctifier cannot.
Additionally, Lone Missionary stands as a comparable card, offering a greater life boost upon entry with four life gained. However, it trades this for lower defensive strength compared to the Cleric’s sturdiness. Then there’s Healer of the Pride, a creature that can provide repeated life gain in a deck focused on creature deployment, though it comes with a higher mana investment than the singular but instant effect of Arashin Cleric.
When analyzing the role each creature plays within their respective decks and their impact on the game’s dynamics, Arashin Cleric’s blend of immediate life gain and defensive capability make it a card that finds its value in both early game sustainability and as a defensive asset. This preserves its niche in MTG as a solid choice for life-gain strategies.
Cards similar to Arashin Cleric by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Replenishes your hand presence by triggering beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects. When combined with flicker or bounce strategies, Arashin Cleric becomes a repeatable source of life gain, padding your health each time it enters the fray.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana, Arashin Cleric serves as a roadblock against aggressive strategies, effectively buying time and conserving life resources. This allows for a smoother buildup to your more impactful late-game threats and answers.
Instant Speed: The impact of Arashin Cleric is not tied to instant speed interactions; however, it complements instant-speed plays well. Successfully stabilizing the board with the cleric enables you to keep mana open for other instant speed spells, maintaining a reactive and adaptable stance throughout the game.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Arashin Cleric comes with a white mana cost which may not be compatible with all deck types. As a result, it requires a deck to essentially commit to or splash white, thereby limiting its versatility across different strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana, one which is specifically white, Arashin Cleric’s ability to heal for 3 life may not measure up against other two-mana creatures that can provide more impactful board presence or abilities. In a game where tempo and resource investment are key, this cost-effectiveness can be crucial.
Discard Requirement: Though Arashin Cleric does not have a discard requirement itself, it often falls into a support role where you may need to consider discarding more influential cards to ensure its place on the battlefield. This process could result in a loss of potential game-changing plays or necessary answers to opponents’ threats.
Reasons to Include Arashin Cleric in Your Collection
Versatility: Arashin Cleric is a solid choice in decks that need an early blocker and life stabilization. Its ability to provide health gain upon entering the battlefield makes it a flexible addition to multiple deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: With its life gain trigger, Arashin Cleric pairs well with cards that benefit from life gain or creature ETBs (Enter the Battlefield effects), enabling synergies within a dedicated life gain strategy or a broader creature-focused deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game that’s aggressive with lots of burn strategies, the few points of life gained can often make a difference, making Arashin Cleric a useful card to have on hand when these strategies are prevalent.
How to beat
The Arashin Cleric blooms within the arena as a vital piece in life gain strategies, but overcoming this card is a task well within reach for seasoned players. Within the dynamics of Magic: The Gathering, this cleric serves not just as a creature but also as a source to boost one’s health. Its arrival on the battleground is marked by a modest life gain, presenting a short-term hurdle rather than a lasting threat.
Confronting the Arashin Cleric with removal spells tailored to low-cost creatures can efficiently dismantle its utility. Spells like Shatter or even a more broadly effective Doom Blade can easily dispatch the cleric, negating the life gain benefit. Direct damage spells are also a pragmatic approach — a timely Lightning Bolt or Shock not only removes the cleric but keeps the momentum of your assault firmly on course.
Tactically speaking, bypassing the Arashin Cleric’s life gain by building overwhelming board presence can be just as effective. Overrun your opponent with creatures that offer more significant threats or card advantages, rendering the cleric’s contribution negligible. The game of Magic: The Gathering constantly evolves, and a card like Arashin Cleric prompts players to adapt strategies, ensuring no single card dictates the pace of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arashin Cleric MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Arashin Cleric 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 Arashin Cleric has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |