Dragon's Eye Sentry MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 11
2019-11-07 - Number 85
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-11
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Monk |
| Abilities | Defender,First strike |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Defender, first strike
Even the humblest guard of Ojutai's strongholds ponders the puzzles of the Great Teacher's lessons.
Cards like Dragon's Eye Sentry
Dragon’s Eye Sentry is a unique defender within the vast array of creature cards in Magic the Gathering. Standing out with first strike, this one-mana cost card holds its own in comparison to other similar cheap defender creatures. In line with Sentry’s defensive abilities, Steel Wall comes to mind, which boasts a zero cost but lacks the first strike capability, offering a different kind of early-game board presence.
Dwarven Warriors, another card to consider, allows players to make creatures with power 2 or less unblockable for the turn, which is a strategic ability that can swing games. However, it doesn’t match Sentry’s robust defense provided by first strike. Then, there’s Wall of Runes, which also costs one mana and brings an additional scry 1 benefit to the table, giving players an early game advantage in card selection but again missing the critical first strike feature that Dragon’s Eye Sentry offers.
Ultimately, while each of these cards fills a niche for early-game defense, Dragon’s Eye Sentry stands out for its capability to potentially deter early aggressive plays with its first strike, making it a noteworthy option for decks focusing on early defense and control.
Cards similar to Dragon's Eye Sentry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Despite not directly contributing to card draw, Dragon’s Eye Sentry excels in maintaining a solid board presence. Its deterrence ability can slow down opponent strategies, indirectly leading to a more favorable card economy over the course of the match.
Resource Acceleration: While Dragon’s Eye Sentry doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, its low casting cost enables a swift deployment. This allows players to allocate resources to other spells and strategies earlier in the game, fostering a form of tactical acceleration.
Instant Speed: Dragon’s Eye Sentry, as a creature, doesn’t operate at instant speed. However, its First Strike ability can be a gamechanger during combat, functioning much like a preemptive strike would at instant speed by potentially removing an attacker before it can deal damage, under the right conditions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some deck strategies could be hindered by Dragon’s Eye Sentry’s defensive nature, potentially forcing players to discard more aggressive options in favor of defensive ones.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise white mana to cast, which may not be readily available in multicolored or mana-hungry decks, restricting its play to more dedicated white strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its stout defensive capabilities, Dragon’s Eye Sentry’s cost may be seen as steep for a card that doesn’t influence the board significantly, leading players to opt for lower-cost creatures with similar defensive stats or abilities.
Reasons to Include Dragon’s Eye Sentry in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragon’s Eye Sentry delivers consistent defensive power to your deck with its defender ability, making it a reliable choice for decks looking to fortify their ground game and protect valuable planeswalkers or life totals.
Combo Potential: Its first strike ability can be leveraged in combination with cards that increase toughness or those that benefit from having multiple creatures with first strike, setting up opportunities for strategic plays and synergy.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creatures are prevalent, having a low-cost defender with first strike like Dragon’s Eye Sentry can help stabilize early game board states, providing you with an edge against swift attacking decks.
How to beat Dragon’s Eye Sentry
Dragon’s Eye Sentry is a unique defender in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. With its first strike ability, it can be a deterrent to early aggressive creatures on the battlefield. It stands out as a defensive one-drop with a modest stat line, making it a mainstay in decks that aim to fortify the ground game while building towards a more substantial board presence. However, its power lies in its defense, not its offense.
To outmaneuver Dragon’s Eye Sentry, one effective approach is to utilize flying or reach creatures, which can soar over the sentry’s defenses. Alternatively, spells that deal direct damage or those that can force the sentry to block unfavorable attackers can clear the path. Cards with trample are also valuable, as they can push excess damage through the sentry’s defense. Board wipe spells are similarly effective in removing Dragon’s Eye Sentry along with other creatures, negating the defensive setup your opponent may rely on.
Despite its first strike advantage, Dragon’s Eye Sentry can struggle against enchantments and artifacts that diminish or bypass its capabilities. Therefore, include a mix of these strategies in your deck to ensure that you maintain the upper hand against decks favoring such defensive creatures.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragon's Eye Sentry MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Dragon's Eye Sentry 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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Printings
The Dragon's Eye Sentry Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Anastasia Ovchinnikova.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anastasia Ovchinnikova | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 85 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anastasia Ovchinnikova | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DTK-11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anastasia Ovchinnikova |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon's Eye Sentry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |