Ebon Praetor MTG Card

Ebon Praetor synergizes with graveyard and sacrifice-based decks, maximizing strategic depth for players. Despite its high mana cost, it presents a formidable threat that can dictate opponents’ gameplay. Its unique abilities warrant consideration for inclusion in decks positioned to exploit its mechanics.

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 37

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 89

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Avatar Praetor
Abilities	First strike,Trample
Power	5
Toughness	5

Text of card

Trample, first strike During your upkeep, put a -2/-2 counter on Ebon Praetor. You may sacrifice a creature during your upkeep to remove a -2/-2 counter from Ebon Praetor. If the creature sacrificed was a Thrull, also put a +1/+0 counter on Ebon Praetor. Only one creature may be sacrificed in this manner each turn.

Cards like Ebon Praetor

Ebon Praetor stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a truly unique creature with its combination of abilities. However, it can be compared to other cards such as Phyrexian Negator and Abyssal Persecutor. Similar to Ebon Praetor, Phyrexian Negator requires a sacrifice whenever it takes damage, presenting a high risk but high reward scenario. Both cards require careful play to avoid significant downsides. Abyssal Persecutor, while it doesn’t demand a sacrifice, has a prohibitive ability preventing you from winning the game, which creates a tension similar to the balance needed when deploying Ebon Praetor.

Another parallel can be drawn to Lord of the Pit, an iconic creature requiring a sacrifice each turn or it deals damage to you, mirroring the ongoing sacrifices needed to sustain Ebon Praetor’s presence on the battlefield. Yet, Ebon Praetor offers flexibility, allowing you to choose between sacrificing creatures or putting -2/-2 counters on it. This choice can be strategically advantageous as it could provide you with game-altering decisions during play.

In essence, while there are creatures with comparable risk factors, Ebon Praetor’s unique blend of high stakes and versatility cements its reputation as a card that enables strategic depth and decision-making for MTG enthusiasts.

Cards similar to Ebon Praetor by color, type and mana cost

Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions

Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions

Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ebon Praetor provides card advantage in a unique way. It requires a sacrifice each turn, which could feed into graveyard strategies or synergize with decks built around sacrificing creatures for value.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ebon Praetor itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its sheer presence can deter opponents from committing to the board, indirectly providing you with a form of tempo acceleration.

Instant Speed: Ebon Praetor is not an instant card; however, it’s a powerful creature that dominates the field and may influence opponents to play as if constantly under threat, which can sway their instant-speed interactions in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ebon Praetor’s upkeep cost not only demands a creature sacrifice but can potentially require discarding a card, a steep price in games where hand management is key.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a precise combination of one black and five other mana, Ebon Praetor’s casting cost may prove challenging for multi-color decks or those with an inconsistent mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Ebon Praetor boasts significant power and abilities, its initial six mana cost is sizeable, particularly when other creatures or spells at lower mana values can offer strong board presence without impacting card advantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ebon Praetor offers a broad scope of play options, being a unique fit for decks that leverage sacrifice mechanics or those looking for an intimidating late-game threat.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on creature death triggers or benefit from the cumulative upkeep cost by offering fodder for sacrifice.

Meta-Relevance: While not a staple in the current competitive scene, Ebon Praetor can be a surprise addition in a well-crafted deck that preys on unsuited meta decks unable to handle recurring sacrifices or large creepers.

How to Beat Ebon Praetor

Ebon Praetor can be a formidable card on the battlefield, with its multifaceted abilities and the potential for growth into a real powerhouse. Defeating this card requires strategic planning and the use of removal spells. Direct damage spells, such as Lightning Bolt or Doom Blade, are effective for taking out Ebon Praetor before it becomes too large of a threat.

Alternatively, countering the spell entirely before it hits the board is another viable tactic. Cards like Cancel or Mana Leak can be game-changers. Players should also keep in mind that Ebon Praetor requires a cumulative upkeep. This can be used to one’s advantage, forcing the owner to make difficult decisions regarding sacrificing creatures or potentially taking a hit to their life points.

Overall, the key to overcoming Ebon Praetor lies in a proactive approach, either by neutralizing it swiftly with spells or manipulating its upkeep cost to exhaust your opponent’s resources. By understanding its strengths, MTG players can tailor their deck with the right counters to ensure Ebon Praetor never claims victory over their game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ebon Praetor MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Masters Edition II, 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 Ebon Praetor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ebon Praetor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Randy Asplund-Faith.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM		37	1993	Normal	Black	Randy Asplund-Faith
2	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2		89	1997	Normal	Black	Randy Asplund-Faith

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ebon Praetor has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal