Thraben Doomsayer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Abilities Fateful hour
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Thraben Doomsayer’s token creation adds consistent battlefield presence, maximizing card efficiency.
  2. The card’s Fateful Hour ability can unexpectedly tip the scales during a match’s crucial moments.
  3. Despite specific mana and higher cost, its benefits can justify inclusion in certain white decks.

Text of card

: Put a 1/1 white Human creature token onto the battlefield. Fateful hour — As long as you have 5 or less life, other creatures you control get +2/+2.

"Swarms of the unhallowed claw at Thraben's gates! Do you still deny the end approaches?"


Card Pros

In the strategic environment of MTG, every card has its set of advantages. Here’s a look at what makes Thraben Doomsayer a noteworthy addition to your deck.

Card Advantage: Thraben Doomsayer is a powerhouse when it comes to generating card advantage. Tapping it allows you to create a 1/1 white Human creature token, bolstering your army on the battlefield every turn without spending extra cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly producing mana or treasures, this card accelerates your resources in a different way. By consistently providing creature tokens, it effectively saves you mana you’d otherwise spend casting creatures and allows you to build up a formidable force over time, increasing the value of each card played thereafter.

Instant Speed: Although Thraben Doomsayer itself isn’t an instant-speed spell, it has a key relationship with instant-speed dynamics. The Fateful Hour ability, which gives your creatures +2/+2 as long as you have 5 or less life, can instantly shift game momentum, especially if combined with surprise instant-speed buffs in response to combat or an opponent’s turn.

Utilizing Thraben Doomsayer’s capabilities to enhance your battlefield presence can be a game changer. It not just fuels a go-wide strategy but also synergizes well with decks that capitalize on creature numbers or those that use creatures as resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Thraben Doomsayer doesn’t force you to discard cards, it does have a Fateful Hour ability that’s only active when you have 5 or less life, which can be a risky position with limited ways to turn the tables.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a specific combination of two white mana can sometimes restrict deck-building options, necessitating a commitment to white mana sources in a deck that may want to remain flexible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for his benefits, Thraben Doomsayer may not be the first pick in a format where lower-cost creatures can provide immediate impact or where other three-mana options might offer more immediate value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thraben Doomsayer is a card that seamlessly fits into a variety of white decks, particularly those built around token strategies or human synergies. Its ability to consistently crank out human tokens each turn provides a steady stream of creatures that can be used for defense or to bolster your board presence.

Combo Potential: When combined with other cards that amplify the effects of token generation or benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, Thraben Doomsayer becomes a linchpin in potent combos. It works exceptionally well in decks that utilize sacrifice mechanisms or anthem effects to turn a table of seemingly innocuous tokens into a formidable army.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with aggressive decks, the Doomsayer offers a valuable line of defense, churning out blockers. Moreover, its Fateful Hour ability can provide a significant power boost in the late game when life totals are under pressure, potentially swinging the game in your favor.


How to beat

Thraben Doomsayer is a formidable card in MTG that commands attention on the battlefield with its ability to create a 1/1 human creature token during your upkeep. This card shines in decks that capitalize on creature numbers. To counter it effectively, prioritize removing it swiftly from the playfield. Considering its three mana cost and lack of immediate impact, use this window to your advantage. Cards that can directly destroy or exile creatures upon entry are excellent here, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile.

Additionally, since the Doomsayer thrives in a setting where the board is filled with tokens to amplify its “fateful hour” ability, consider sweepers like Wrath of God to maintain a clear board, stifling the card’s full potential. Control decks have an upper hand, too, with counterspells ready to prevent the Doomsayer from ever hitting the field. Finally, be mindful of your opponent’s life total since Thraben Doomsayer becomes a larger threat when their life is low. Adjusting your strategy to maintain pressure on their life total while controlling the board keeps the card in check.

While Thraben Doomsayer can escalate the pressure in token-centric decks, understanding and utilizing your removal and control resources strategically can ensure that this doomsayer foretells his own defeat when facing your deck.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG takes more than just collecting cards; it’s about understanding their potential on the battlefield. A card like Thraben Doomsayer might not seem like a first-pick contender, but its role in token generation decks is undeniable. Whether you’re strengthening your defense or pushing for a late-game advantage, integrating this card into your white deck can be transformative. Are you ready to command an endless army with Thraben Doomsayer or thwart it with strategic removal? Dive deeper into tactics, deck building tips, and discover new ways to optimize your play with our insights. Embark on the journey to up your MTG gameplay with us.


Cards like Thraben Doomsayer

Thraben Doomsayer finds its place within a unique niche of creature-based control in Magic: The Gathering. It’s comparable to cards like Westvale Cult Leader, another human that creates creature tokens and becomes more powerful as your army grows. Thraben Doomsayer, however, has the added benefit of a Fateful Hour ability, turning it into a significant token generator when your life total is low.

Alongside, we have Luminarch Ascension, another card that thrives on defending and controlling the board state to churn out tokens. While not a creature itself, the Ascension can start creating angel tokens quickly under the right conditions. There’s also Heliod, God of the Sun, which offers vigilance tokens at a consistent rate, though at a higher activation cost. Unlike the Doomsayer, Heliod provides a more controlled token generation routine without the urgency of Fateful Hour.

Overall, Thraben Doomsayer’s role within Magic: The Gathering is multifaceted, offering early board presence and a late-game surge in token production, standing out in decks that capitalize on creature numbers or life total brinkmanship.

Luminarch Ascension - MTG Card versions
Heliod, God of the Sun - MTG Card versions
Luminarch Ascension - Zendikar (ZEN)
Heliod, God of the Sun - Theros (THS)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thraben Doomsayer MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and 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 Thraben Doomsayer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thraben Doomsayer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by John Stanko.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 252003normalblackJohn Stanko
22020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1042015normalblackJohn Stanko

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thraben Doomsayer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thraben Doomsayer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2011-01-22 A creature whose toughness is being increased by Thraben Doomsayer’s fateful hour ability loses that bonus as soon as its controller has 6 or more life (or as soon as Thraben Doomsayer leaves the battlefield). If damage marked on that creature is greater than or equal to its toughness after the fateful hour ability stops applying, the creature is destroyed and put into its owner’s graveyard.
2011-01-22 If Thraben Doomsayer’s activated ability resolves while you have 5 or less life, the creature token will be 3/3 as it enters the battlefield.

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