Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 8 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may transform Cloistered Youth.
"I heard her talking in her sleep—pleading, shrieking, snarling. It was not my daughter's voice. That is not my daughter." —Ekatrin, elder of Hanweir
Cards like Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend
Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend stands out among MTG’s array of transformative cards. Much like the iconic Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration, Cloistered Youth flips into another creature—Unholy Fiend. The key difference lies in the trigger for transformation. Delver relies on revealing an instant or sorcery card from the top of the library, whereas Cloistered Youth transforms at the cost of life during your upkeep.
Another card that shares this transformative nature is Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar. Like Cloistered Youth, the Cathar changes form, but does so upon death rather than through a life payment mechanism. The flip provides a different aspect of strategy, as it promises an additional creature post-mortem, contrasting with Cloistered Youth’s immediate offensive power boost. Accursed Witch // Infectious Curse further expands this concept, offering a transformative experience that impacts not just the battlefield but also an opponent’s game plan directly. Yet, none of these cards share the self-inflicted life cost that defines Cloistered Youth’s unique challenge and potential reward.
In essence, Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend occupies a dynamic niche within the transformative cards of MTG, providing a compelling choice for players interested in aggressive strategies with the willingness to gamble with their life totals for greater power.
Cards similar to Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend offers a strategic advantage as a two-for-one card. Initially, you play Cloistered Youth, a capable creature in its own right. However, it then has the potential to transform into Unholy Fiend, effectively giving you another card’s worth of power without requiring an additional draw.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, the transition from Cloistered Youth to Unholy Fiend does not require any mana input. This free transformation allows you to use your resources elsewhere while still developing a significant threat on the board. Furthermore, not having to spend resources on an additional creature can be seen as an indirect form of acceleration.
Instant Speed: Transforming at the beginning of your upkeep, Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend shifts gears without tapping into your mana reserves during your turn. This dual-faced card can swiftly become a more formidable creature without sacrificing instant speed actions, offering you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend necessitates a transformation triggered by a discard mechanic. This can put the player at a disadvantage, particularly when their hand is already running low on cards. Managing your resources well is vital, and the forced discard can throw off your game plan if not timed perfectly.
Specific Mana Cost: Despite its flexibility, the Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend card requires a specific white mana in its casting cost. This requirement can constrain deck building, especially for those strategies that utilize a diverse color palette or are heavy on multicolored lands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the benefits against the cost, the transformation into Unholy Fiend can be seen as a steep investment. There are alternative creatures or spells that offer more immediate or impactful board presence than what the transformed side offers given its mana cost.
Reasons to Include Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend in Your Collection
Versatility: Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend offers a unique transformation ability, allowing it to adapt to different game situations. As a 1/1 for two mana, it can act as an early blocker before flipping into a powerful 3/3 attacker, making it useful in various deck builds.
Combo Potential: This card has significant potential to fit within intricate combo setups, particularly in decks that exploit flipping mechanics or utilize damage as a resource. The transition from Cloistered Youth to Unholy Fiend can be orchestrated to align with specific game-turn strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where quick shifts in board presence are crucial, the dual nature of this card can be especially effective. Given its capability to apply pressure early in the game and adapt to ongoing meta shifts, including this card in your repertoire might give you an edge in the current competitive environment.
How to beat
The Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend card, with its transformative nature, offers a unique challenge on the battlefield. When this card is in play, your focus should be on managing its flip condition to prevent it from becoming the more powerful Unholy Fiend. Keeping creature removal or exile effects at the ready can ensure the creature does not deal its increased damage after transformation. Enchantments that prevent untapping or lock down abilities can also be critical in mitigating the threat this card represents.
Equally important is being aware of your opponent’s life points. Since Cloistered Youth transforms at the cost of their life total, maintaining pressure to keep their health low could deter them from flipping the card willingly. It might also be prudent to save instant-speed interaction for the end of their turn, right before the transformation could occur. This strategic timing creates a window where your opponent has committed to a play but can’t utilize the increased stats of Unholy Fiend immediately.
Overall, facing Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend requires proper timing and resource management. By keeping key spells in reserve and controlling the board state, you can effectively neutralize the threat of this dual-natured card and maintain an upper hand in your match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |