Breathkeeper Seraph MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 69
2021-11-19 - Number 31
2019-12-02 - Number 1345
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying,Soulbond |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying, soulbond As long as Breathkeeper Seraph is paired with another creature, each of those creatures has "When this creature dies, you may return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of your next upkeep."
Cards like Breathkeeper Seraph
Breathkeeper Seraph joins the echelons of protective creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to cards such as Guardian Angel, providing a safeguard against damage. However, Breathkeeper Seraph stands out with its unique twist – offering not merely protection, but also the potential to reanimate other creatures upon its demise. Guardian Angel, by contrast, focuses solely on damage prevention without the additional endgame benefits.
Another comparable creature is Resolute Archangel, which resets a player’s life total upon entering the battlefield. While both are angelic protectors, Breathkeeper Seraph’s ongoing shield through its flying status and life-link abilities throughout the game establishes a long-term presence compared to the one-time effect of the Resolute Archangel. Additionally, the Seraph’s afterlife skill creates opportunities even after it’s removed from the field.
The crux of the matter is that Breathkeeper Seraph offers a hybrid approach between immediate protection and future planning. Its capabilities are not only preventative but strategic, ensuring that it provides value throughout different stages of the game. This flexible utility potentially makes it a favorite amongst players who prefer cards that provide both defense and offensive strategies.
Cards similar to Breathkeeper Seraph by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Breathkeeper Seraph shines in offering sustained card advantage. Every time it prevents damage with its shielding ability, you’re entitled to draw a card. This can tilt the momentum of the match in your favor as you access more options to outmaneuver your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By protecting your other creatures, the Breathkeeper Seraph ensures that your resources remain on the board. This conservation of resources acts as an indirect form of acceleration, letting you commit other means of mana and cards to further your game plan without losing board presence.
Instant Speed: The Seraph’s ability to protect a creature can be activated at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility. You can respond to threats or potential removals mid-combat or on your opponent’s turn, keeping them guessing and preventing them from gaining an upper hand during their own plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Assembling the necessary components for Breathkeeper Seraph’s ability can be hindered by its discard clause. Positioning this angel card in a strategy requires thoughtful hand management, as you may need to relinquish potentially vital cards to activate its powers.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Breathkeeper Seraph demands a precise combination of mana, including white, which might not seamlessly integrate into multicolored decks. This specific requirement can hamper deck flexibility, forcing players to carefully consider their mana base and potentially restrict the inclusion of other impactful cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the competitive landscape of MTG, where efficiency is paramount, Breathkeeper Seraph’s lofty mana cost can be a substantial drawback. For the same investment, a player could potentially cast multiple spells or summon creatures with equal or greater effects, leading some to bypass this seraph in favor of lower-cost alternatives that offer similar or superior battlefield impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Breathkeeper Seraph offers dynamic play options, serving as both a formidable flying creature and a safeguard for your other creatures. Its ability to reanimate an allied creature upon its death fits seamlessly into a variety of strategies, from angel tribal to reanimator decks.
Combo Potential: The reanimation ability inherent to Breathkeeper Seraph can be leveraged to craft combos with high-value enter-the-battlefield effects or creatures that have potent death triggers. This creates a synergy circle where powerful creatures can continually influence the board state.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where removal spells are ever-present, having a creature that provides an immediate board presence after a wipe is invaluable. Breathkeeper Seraph’s resilience can turn the tide in matches, ensuring that your key pieces return to the fray, potentially swinging games in your favor.
How to beat
Breathkeeper Seraph stands out as a formidable flying creature in the MTG multiverse, providing not only a solid body in the air but also offering a unique resurrection ability. At first glance, it may seem daunting to overcome, especially with its tendency to bring an advantageous card back from the graveyard. Yet, there are strategic ways to level the playing field against this celestial adversary.
One effective tactic is to employ instant-speed removal spells, which can disrupt the Seraph’s ability before it has a chance to trigger. By prioritizing removal spells that can target creatures either on the stack or in response to the activation of its ability, you can minimize the advantage Breathkeeper Seraph offers. Graveyard hate cards, like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze, can also effectively neutralize the Seraph’s potential by exiling creatures before it has the opportunity to resurrect them. This approach cuts off the synergy that makes Breathkeeper Seraph a threat to begin with.
In essence, neutralizing Breathkeeper Seraph heavily relies on timing and utilizing cards that can either preempt or instantly react to its key abilities. By doing so, you can mitigate its impact and maintain a stronger position on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Breathkeeper Seraph MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop and Crimson Vow Commander, 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 Breathkeeper Seraph 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
Printings
The Breathkeeper Seraph Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-12-02 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Alexander Mokhov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1345 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov | ||
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Crimson Vow Commander | VOC | 69 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov | |
| 3 | 2021-11-19 | Crimson Vow Commander | VOC | 31 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Breathkeeper Seraph has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |