Azorius Herald MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 2
2013-11-01 - Number 6
2019-02-15 - Number 2
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Azorius Herald is unblockable. When Azorius Herald comes into play, you gain 4 life. When Azorius Herald comes into play, sacrifice it unless was spent to play it.
"As peace should be—gentle yet unstoppable." —Augustin IV
Cards like Azorius Herald
Azorius Herald is a distinct creature card that offers MTG players a blend of evasion and life gain. When considering alternatives, one might look at cards like Sunscape Familiar, which also provides a cost reduction for certain spells, although it doesn’t feature the life gain that Azorius Herald boasts. What makes the Herald stand out is its ability to be unblockable the turn it comes into play and gain you four life, presenting a swing in the race for life totals.
Another analog is Judge’s Familiar, which like Azorius Herald, inhabits the skies as a flyer. However, Judge’s Familiar brings to the table a disruptive ability, allowing players to sacrifice it to counter an opponent’s spell unless they pay one extra mana. This strategic play differs from Azorius Herald’s straightforward approach to bolstering one’s life and pressuring opponents with an unblockable attacker.
Ultimately, while many creatures can contribute to an Azorius themed deck, the Azorius Herald stands out due to its synergy of unblockability and lifegain, vital for players aiming to maintain a lead in both board presence and life advantage. It navigates through a course that balances defense with an aggressive edge.
Cards similar to Azorius Herald by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Azorius Herald provides a tactical advantage by allowing a card to be drawn upon entering the battlefield. This ensures that you’re not losing momentum and encourages a sustained hand size, which is crucial in control strategies.
Resource Acceleration: While this card does not directly produce additional mana or treasure tokens, it can contribute to resource acceleration by providing a life gain which can indirectly facilitate longer-term strategies and provide more opportunities to play key spells.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Azorius Herald at instant speed would make it an exceptionally versatile tool in any player’s arsenal. Having the freedom to deploy creatures or create effects during the end of your opponent’s turn can keep them guessing and put you at a significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Azorius Herald is its requirement to discard a card from your hand. This condition can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted or if you’re in a scenario where every card counts. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of summoning the Herald against the potential loss of other valuable cards in your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The Azorius Herald comes with a mana cost that demands both white and blue mana. This requirement makes it less flexible compared to cards that have a generic mana cost, as it may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that are not focused on the Azorius guild’s color scheme.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be seen as high for its abilities, the Azorius Herald can be less appealing, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players must consider if the Herald’s effects justify its mana cost in relation to other available options that could potentially offer a similar or better impact on the game state without such a heavy investment.
Reasons to Include Azorius Herald in Your Collection
Versatility: Azorius Herald can be a valuable addition to decks focusing on life gain or evasive creatures. Its ability to sneak past defenders while also offering a life cushion makes it a flexible choice for various playstyles.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can be sacrificed for life gain, Azorius Herald works well in synergies with cards that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, setting the stage for powerful interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where aggro decks are prevalent, having a card that can provide life gain while applying pressure can be critical for staying ahead, making Azorius Herald a strategic addition to your arsenal.
How to beat Azorius Herald
The Azorius Herald card sets itself apart in MTG with its evasive ability and the convenience of gaining life upon entry. Facing this card on the battlefield, it’s crucial to disable its advantages to secure your position. Unlike the Herald, which offers a one-time life gain, continuous life-draining effects or consistent damage over time can negate this benefit.
To tackle the Herald, consider cards that disable enters-the-battlefield effects or utilize removals that bypass its unblockable characteristic. Cards such as Torpor Orb halt beneficial enters-the-battlefield abilities, effectively nullifying the life-gain perk upon the Herald’s summoning. Moreover, emphasizing removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly manage the Herald, regardless of its evasion.
In summary, while the Azorius Herald presents a challenge with its specific capabilities, a strategy incorporating effective control elements or alternative life-draining cards can effectively counterbalance the advantages it provides. The goal is to anticipate the Herald’s arrival and prepare your deck with versatile answers to maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Azorius Herald MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Commander 2013, 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 Azorius Herald 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 Azorius Herald Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Justin Sweet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 3 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 2 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Azorius Herald has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Azorius Herald card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-05-01 | If this enters the battlefield in a way other than announcing it as a spell, then the appropriate mana can’t have been paid, and you’ll have to sacrifice it. |