Loxodon Anchorite MTG Card


Loxodon Anchorite - Fifth Dawn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elephant Cleric
Released2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set nameFifth Dawn
Set code5DN
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number10
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJim Nelson

Key Takeaways

  1. Loxodon Anchorite’s instant speed toughness boost can unexpectedly alter combat outcomes in your favor.
  2. Specific white mana cost limits its use to certain decks but excels in those with white mana strategies.
  3. Anchorite’s high mana cost demands careful deck building to maximize value and effectiveness.

Text of card

: Prevent the next 2 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.

The loxodon ascribe religious superiority to those born albino, believing them to be spiritually pure.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Loxodon Anchorite provides a way to potentially extend your deck’s capability by acting as a shield for other creatures. Its defensive attribute can effectively deter opponents from attacking, indirectly preserving the cards on your side of the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While this Elephant Cleric doesn’t directly ramp your mana resources, its ability to protect key creatures can indirectly maintain your board presence, ensuring that your resource-generating creatures stay active and unharmed.

Instant Speed: With its ability to bolster the toughness of a creature at instant speed, Loxodon Anchorite gives players flexibility. You can use it as a surprising way to turn the tides during combat, making it harder for an opponent to successfully calculate their attacks or blocks. This can lead to favorable trades or the survival of important creatures in critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Loxodon Anchorite card doesn’t require discarding, but having a card that does could potentially disrupt strategies centered around maintaining a full hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Loxodon Anchorite comes with a specific mana cost that includes white, making it less flexible. Decks not running white mana won’t be able to leverage this creature’s capabilities, limiting its overall utility within the broader MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a somewhat high mana cost relative to its abilities, Loxodon Anchorite might not be the first pick for players looking to optimize their mana curve. There are creatures with lower mana costs and competitive abilities that could be considered a better value for the mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Loxodon Anchorite’s ability to prevent damage to a target creature or player gives it a flexible role in defensive strategies. This can be invaluable in decks that aim to outlast the opponent or protect key creatures on the board.

Combo Potential: With its built-in protection ability, Loxodon Anchorite works well in combinations with cards that encourage damage redirection or ones that benefit from activated abilities, adding a layer of synergy to various deck builds.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive tactics are prevalent, having a card like Loxodon Anchorite can be a game-changer. It can mitigate combat damage or certain direct damage spells, keeping you or your important creatures in the game longer against heavy hitters.


How to beat

The Loxodon Anchorite presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to prevent damage. Players frequently compare the card to other protective creatures like Benevolent Bodyguard or Mother of Runes, but the Loxodon Anchorite stands out due to its racial synergy and larger physique.

However, to effectively counter this formidable defender, one might consider using untargeted removal spells. Cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation can circumvent the Anchorite’s prevention ability, as they do not target and therefore are not hindered by its defensive capability. Alternatively, employing abilities that decrease the toughness of creatures, like those found on cards such as Languish or Dismember, can prove effective as they reduce the Loxodon Anchorite’s survivability, ensuring it leaves the board.

In essence, while the Loxodon Anchorite can be a sturdy barrier to overcome, a strategy focusing on board wipes or toughness reduction can be a direct path to outmaneuver this stoic elephant cleric and maintain control of the game.


Cards like Loxodon Anchorite

The Loxodon Anchorite is an intriguing creature card in Magic The Gathering. It aligns closely with other life-gain and damage prevention cards but brings its distinct flavor to the battlefield. Comparable cards include the likes of Benevolent Bodyguard and Mother of Runes, which both offer protection for your creatures, though they lack the Anchorite’s self-healing abilities.

When examining other similar cards, it’s beneficial to consider the venerable Dawnglow Infusion. Much like our Loxodon Anchorite, this spell grants you the dual abilities of gaining life and preventing damage. At a flexible cost of X mana, it offers scalability that the Anchorite can’t match. The Loxodon Hierarch stands out as well, providing a significant life boost upon entering the battlefield. Although its initial effect is similar, the Hierarch’s ability to regenerate other creatures provides a tactical advantage that the Anchorite doesn’t have.

Ultimately, while Loxodon Anchorite maintains an admirable position within the realm of white creature cards that specialize in lifegain and protection, its specific combination of abilities gives it a unique edge in certain MTG decks prioritizing sustainable creature defense and incremental life gain.

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Dawnglow Infusion - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Hierarch - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - Judgment (JUD)
Mother of Runes - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Dawnglow Infusion - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Loxodon Hierarch - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Loxodon Anchorite by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Kor Cartographer - MTG Card versions
Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions
Akroan Mastiff - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Apocalypse (APC)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Hero of Bladehold - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Mausoleum Guard - Innistrad (ISD)
Galepowder Mage - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Kor Cartographer - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Sunspire Gatekeepers - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Akroan Mastiff - Journey into Nyx (JOU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Loxodon Anchorite MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Loxodon Anchorite and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Loxodon Anchorite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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