Herald of the Forgotten MTG Card

Herald of the Forgotten - Commander 2020

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	8
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Cat Beast
Abilities	Flying
Released	2020-04-17
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2020
Set code	C20
Power	6
Toughness	6
Number	27
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Antonio José Manzanedo

Key Takeaways

Provides massive card advantage by resurrecting numerous cycling permanents from the graveyard.
Herald’s specific mana requirements may limit its deck inclusion to blue-white combinations.
Competes with other graveyard retrieval cards, offering unique board recovery in cycling decks.

Text of card

Flying When Herald of the Forgotten enters the battlefield, if you cast it, return any number of target permanent cards with cycling abilities from your graveyard to the battlefield.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Herald of the Forgotten enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand and it wasn’t a commander, you may return any number of target permanent cards with cycling abilities from your graveyard to the battlefield. This effect can significantly swing the game in your favor, replenishing your board with valuable resources and putting you ahead in terms of card presence.

Resource Acceleration: The potential return of multiple cycled lands or other permanents with cycling can act as an unexpected form of resource acceleration. This can potentially unlock mana sources and other effects that were previously unavailable, giving you a sudden and impactful surge in resources and options.

Instant Speed: While Herald of the Forgotten itself isn’t an instant, the cycling mechanic inherent to the cards it interacts with often comes with the benefit of being activated at instant speed. This synergy allows for a flexible and responsive game plan, maintaining open mana for reactive plays and setting up a powerful turn when casting Herald of the Forgotten.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Calling forth Herald of the Forgotten from your library to the battlefield taps into your card-hand reserves, requiring a strategic discard which may impoverish your play options should your hand be already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: The nuance of its mana demand leans heavily towards a blue and white combination, hence slotting the card into a deck hinges on a commitment to these colors — a factor that may reduce its versatility in a multicolor strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight mana value, the Herald stands at the steeper end of the scale. This expense casts a shadow over its practicality, especially when swifter alternatives might pave the way to victory more rapidly.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Herald of the Forgotten can seamlessly slot into decks that capitalize on cycling or graveyard dynamics. Its ability to bring back multiple cycling cards upon casting makes it a game-changer in the late stages of a match.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos, particularly in those that leverage the graveyard. Imagine returning a flurry of cards with cycling to the battlefield—all triggering an avalanche of effects. The potential is vast and can turn the tide of a game unexpectedly.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that identifies with graveyard interaction or heavy cycling components, Herald of the Forgotten’s utility and power can be disruptive. Its aptitude for staging a comeback or swinging a board state makes it a pertinent choice for players seeking to outmaneuver their opponents.

How to beat

Herald of the Forgotten is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides in a game when played effectively. To counter this, timing is essential. It thrives on a graveyard filled with cycling cards, so one strategy to diminish its impact is to limit graveyard interactions with cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void. This preemptively hampers its ability to capitalize on cycling synergies.

Removal spells like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can deal with the Herald once it’s on the battlefield. However, the right moment to use them is crucial due to its casting trigger that can bring back several cycled cards at once. Use instant-speed removal after the trigger resolves to prevent a massive card advantage. It’s also important to keep pressure on your opponent and control the board state, so they can’t easily cast Herald to its full potential.

Anticipating this card’s play and maintaining board control are key. By doing so, you weaken the Herald’s advantage, position yourself to respond effectively to it, and steer the game toward your victory.

Cards like Herald of the Forgotten

Herald of the Forgotten presents an intriguing dynamic in the realm of Magic: The Gathering’s creature cards specialized in board recovery. It shares similarities with cards like Sun Titan, which also excels at retrieving permanents from the graveyard. However, Herald of the Forgotten can potentially return multiple cycling cards at once, amplifying its presence on the field. Sun Titan brings back one card with each attack or entry but is limited to permanents with a mana value of three or less.

Emeria Shepherd is another akin card with its graveyard retrieval capability. Like Herald of the Forgotten, the Shepherd works well in a deck that emphasizes land plays but targets any nonland permanent. It lacks the cycling synergy but offers more flexible retrieval options. While Herald specifically adds to the cycling archetype, the Shepherd’s broader range of targets can be a trade-up in other strategy-focused decks.

Overall, while each card has distinctive advantages, Herald of the Forgotten leverages cycling-focused strategies, potentially recovering an entire board’s worth of cards in the right setup, a feat other similar cards are not as equipped to accomplish in a single turn.

Cards similar to Herald of the Forgotten by color, type and mana cost

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Angel of Deliverance - MTG Card versions

Myojin of Blooming Dawn - MTG Card versions

Akroma, Angel of Wrath - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Herald of the Forgotten MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2020, 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 Herald of the Forgotten and other MTG cards: