Devout Harpist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human |
| Released | 1999-02-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Legacy |
| Set code | ULG |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 6 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Text of card
oc T: Destroy target creature enchantment.
The notes themselves are irrelevant. The music's effect, however, is worth ten armies.
Cards like Devout Harpist
Devout Harpist plays a unique role in the realm of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering enchantment removal at the fingertips of players wielding it. Reminiscent of cards like Viridian Zealot, the Harpist provides a specialized answer to enchantments on the battlefield. While Viridian Zealot comes with the upside of being able to target artifacts as well, the Harpist is specialized in dealing with enchantments only, and it can be activated without any mana cost, which allows for greater flexibility in gameplay.
Another comparable card is Kami of Ancient Law. Both serve as enchantment busters, but the Kami brings along the spirit synergy useful in decks playing around that theme. The major difference lies in the activation cost where, unlike the Devout Harpist’s free ability trigger, Kami of Ancient Law requires mana investment for its effect. Reclamation Sage is a third card that shares similar territory, providing a one-shot effect upon entering the battlefield, being able to destroy both enchantments and artifacts, which arguably makes it a more versatile option than the Harpist.
Even with these comparisons, Devout Harpist has its place in decks focusing on enchantment-heavy metas, offering repeated utility without the need for extra mana investments. Its niche ability to surgically tackle enchantments time and again can be quite advantageous in the right context.
Cards similar to Devout Harpist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Devout Harpist can be a subtle yet effective way to keep your hand stocked. By enabling you to potentially remove enchantments that your opponent controls, it can indirectly cause card advantage. This is because you might dispose of an enchantment that was set to bring more cards to your opponent, hence skewing the card balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While the Devout Harpist itself doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, it aids resource acceleration by clearing the path of potentially problematic enchantments. This allows you to play your game plan with fewer obstructions and can accelerate your board development as a result.
Instant Speed: Its ability works at instant speed, which is extremely valuable in MTG. Being able to act on your opponent’s turn adds an element of surprise and strategic depth to your game. This can disrupt your opponent’s calculations and expected plays, particularly if they rely on enchantment synergies to win the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Devout Harpist may require you to have another Elf card in your hand to discard, which can be a setback when your hand is depleted or you wish to maintain a robust set of options.
Specific Mana Cost: With a need for green mana, the Devout Harpist assumes a specific place in decks that can produce green mana easily. This can make it challenging to slot the card into multi-color decks that might be mana strained.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the effect it provides, Devout Harpist’s mana cost is on the higher side, especially when assessed against other creatures with similar abilities or stats. Savvy players often seek more efficient alternatives to optimize their deck’s overall performance.
Reasons to Include Devout Harpist in Your Collection
Versatility: Devout Harpist offers utility across multiple deck themes, particularly in those looking to manage enchantments. This card can play a key role in decks designed to deal with opponents’ strategies that heavily rely on enchantments.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can specifically target enchantments, Devout Harpist works well with cards that profit from targeted removal or those that need to clear the board for a winning condition. Its ability can be a part of intricate combos putting you at significant advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where enchantments define top-tier decks, having Devout Harpist can provide a specific answer to these threats. Its inclusion in sideboards or main decks can swing matches in your favor against enchantment-heavy opponents.
How to beat
Devout Harpist presents an intriguing challenge in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for players relying on enchantments to fortify their strategies. This card, a utility creature unique to the Urza’s Legacy set, offers an efficient way to disrupt enchantment-heavy decks by allowing you to destroy target enchantment at the mere tap of the creature. A seemingly simple ability, its application can significantly upset an opponent’s board state.
Combatting Devout Harpist successfully hinges on limiting its opportunities to target vital enchantments. Strategies include employing instant-speed removal to eliminate the Harpist before it can activate its ability or using cards that grant hexproof or shroud to protect key enchantments from being targeted. Another tactic is to prioritize enchantments that have immediate impact upon hitting the battlefield, thus reducing the potential setback if the Harpist removes them later.
All things considered, interacting wisely with enchantments and having a plan to deal with creatures like Devout Harpist is crucial for maintaining control of the game. By blending foresight with disruptive plays, you can mitigate the influence of this peculiar enchanter’s bane and keep your strategy unscathed.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Devout Harpist MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Devout Harpist 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Devout Harpist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Devout Harpist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-01 | It can only target “Enchantment - Aura” cards, which includes cards changed into Auras, such as Licids. |