Herald of Dromoka MTG Card


Herald of Dromoka - Dragons of Tarkir
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Vigilance
Released2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set nameDragons of Tarkir
Set codeDTK
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number22
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byZack Stella

Key Takeaways

  1. Herald of Dromoka enhances warriors, boosting both attack potential and defense without tapping.
  2. Its vigilance ability aids flexible play, allowing warriors to be offensive and defensive simultaneously.
  3. While strong in warrior decks, it faces limitations in mana base and may be outclassed by other cards.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance Other Warrior creatures you control have vigilance.

The trumpeters of Arashin are ever alert in their watch over the Great Aerie.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Herald of Dromoka doesn’t directly let you draw cards, its ability to bolster your other warriors can in effect create card advantage through superior board presence. Each warrior becomes a greater threat, effectively enhancing your hand’s potential.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct mana accelerator, Herald of Dromoka does offer resource acceleration by giving your warrior creatures vigilance. This allows you to attack without sacrificing defense, efficiently using your resources and maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: Herald of Dromoka itself may not be an instant, but its vigilance effect supports playing at instant speed. Warriors can attack and still be available to cast instants or activate abilities that require tapping, leading to flexible and unpredictable play patterns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Herald of Dromoka doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it can be affected by the overall discard strategies within your deck. If you’re running cards that require discard as part of their cost or effect, you may inadvertently lose this creature or reduce your hand advantage, making it challenging to maintain board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Herald of Dromoka’s mana cost requires white mana, which means it can only be optimally used in decks that are based on or heavily include white mana in their strategy. This specificity can therefore limit the flexibility in deck building and can be a setback if your mana sources are not aligned with the color requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two, including one white mana, Herald of Dromoka may seem economical. However, when considering its 2/2 stats and the vigilance ability it grants other Warrior creatures, there may be alternatives that offer more impactful abilities or better stats for a similar or lower investment, making Herald of Dromoka a less attractive option in some deck builds.


Reasons to Include Herald of Dromoka in Your Collection

Versatility: Herald of Dromoka is a flexible inclusion to any Warrior or creature-focused deck. Its ability to grant your Warrior creatures vigilance allows for solid offense without leaving your defense wide open.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks aiming for Warrior-tribe synergies, potentially unlocking various on-attack triggers without sacrificing blocking capabilities. Its low mana cost also facilitates a range of turn sequences and battle strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates aggressive strategies alongside continuous board presence, Herald of Dromoka offers valuable assistance. It helps maintain pressure on opponents while defending against counter-swings, aligning with the tempo of many contemporary playstyles.


How to beat

The Herald of Dromoka is a unique creature card that bolsters strategies with its vigilance-granting ability. Players often integrate it into warrior-centric decks, capitalizing on the simultaneous offence and defence it offers. As with any tactical card in Magic: The Gathering, overcoming this card demands a well-thought-out approach. Removal spells are your best bet. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Herald before its ability has a substantial impact.

If direct removal isn’t an option, controlling the battlefield is essential. Utilizing pacifism-like effects can restrict the Herald’s benefits without the need to remove it from the battlefield. It’s also worth noting that sweepers like Wrath of God can reset the board, nullifying the Herald’s ability by removing all creatures including those with vigilance.

Finally, remember that the Herald’s ability is only beneficial as long as it’s on the field. Fast-paced, heavy-hitting decks can also simply out race the incremental advantage Herald of Dromoka provides by focusing on ending the game swiftly. Thus, when facing this card, prioritize control, removal or speed to tip the scales in your favor.


Cards like Herald of Dromoka

Herald of Dromoka is a distinct creature in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to bolster an army of Warriors. It is akin to other cards such as Chief of the Edge that also grants bonuses to Warrior creatures. Unlike Chief of the Edge, which provides additional power to Warriors, Herald of Dromoka stands out by granting vigilance, allowing your Warriors to attack without tapping, thus keeping them ready for defense.

Exploring further, we then look to Aven Skirmisher, another low-cost creature. The Skirmisher, while also a creature that adds early game board presence, doesn’t offer the same team-boosting benefit as Herald of Dromoka. However, the utility of having flying can be an advantage in certain matchups. Then there’s Mardu Woe-Reaper, offering not only Warrior synergy but also graveyard disruption. While the Woe-Reaper assists with keeping opponent strategies in check, it doesn’t provide the same consistent bonus to your team’s combat capabilities.

Every card offers a unique set of skills that can be strategically combined to elevate a Warrior-centric deck. Herald of Dromoka’s value comes from its ability to impact the battlefield by empowering the squad, making it a considerable choice for those looking to maintain an aggressive stance in combat while also safeguarding their defenses.

Chief of the Edge - MTG Card versions
Aven Skirmisher - MTG Card versions
Mardu Woe-Reaper - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Edge - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Aven Skirmisher - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Mardu Woe-Reaper - Fate Reforged (FRF)

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

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Royal Falcon - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
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Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Talon Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Avenger en-Dal - Nemesis (NEM)
Royal Falcon - Starter 2000 (S00)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Herald of Dromoka MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Dromoka and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Herald of Dromoka has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2015-02-25 If an attacking creature loses vigilance, it remains untapped and attacking.

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