Oriss, Samite Guardian MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Grandeur
Released	2007-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Future Sight
Set code	FUT
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	28
Frame	future
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Michael Komarck

Key Takeaways

Oriss provides exceptional combat control, safeguarding creatures and helping maintain a robust board presence.
Instant speed abilities lend a tactical advantage, allowing for surprise moves and responsive play.
Despite card discard and mana cost, Oriss remains a strong contender for decks focused on creature survivability.

Text of card

: Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn. Grandeur Discard another card named Oriss, Samite Guardian: Target player can't play spells this turn, and creatures that player controls can't attack this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Oriss, Samite Guardian has a unique ability that allows you to prevent all damage that would be dealt to creatures you control this turn, which can let you come out on top during combat trades. This not only protects your valuable creatures but ensures you maintain board presence, effectively gaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, the ability to reuse Oriss’s Grandeur to prevent damage can save the resources you’d invest in regenerating or casting creatures again. It keeps your mana open for further spells and threats.

Instant Speed: Oriss can use its abilities at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats or aggressive strategies at a moment’s notice. This tactical edge allows you to navigate complex game states effectively and surprise your opponents with well-timed plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Oriss, Samite Guardian demands the discard of a card to activate its grandeur ability. This requirement may be restricting if your hand is already depleted and could set you back in card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Oriss is color-intensive, needing two white mana in its casting cost. This specificity can present deck-building challenges, especially when trying to maintain a stable mana base in multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this guardian might not be as mana-efficient compared to other options. Although it potentially offers a reusable prevention ability, more flexible or less costly alternatives could be preferred for ensuring early-game stability.

Reasons to Include Oriss, Samite Guardian in Your Collection

Versatility: Oriss, Samite Guardian offers dynamic defense options for your deck. Its ability to prevent all damage that would be dealt to a creature that turn can be a game-changer. Especially in decks that focus on creature protection or those using creatures with tap abilities, Oriss becomes a valuable shield.

Combo Potential: This card can enhance complex strategies with its “Grandeur” ability, allowing you to reuse an additional Oriss from your hand to silence your opponents, preventing them from casting spells. It partners well with cards that allow you to retrieve creatures from your graveyard, providing a recursion element that can be exploited turn after turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with a heavy presence of burn or aggressive strategies, Oriss, Samite Guardian’s ability to prevent damage can be critical for surviving the early onslaught and reaching your win condition. It acts as a bulwark against such strategies, making it a useful meta-tool.

How to Beat Oriss, Samite Guardian

Oriss, Samite Guardian offers a unique defensive capability on the battlefield, providing players a way to prevent all damage that would be dealt to and dealt by another target creature. To effectively counter this ability, you can employ spells or abilities that bypass the traditional combat damage route. Using direct removal spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can eliminate Oriss before its Grandeur ability has a chance to be activated, stripping your opponent of their protective advantage.

Another strategic approach is using cards with the “can’t be countered” clause such as Supreme Verdict, which can remove Oriss regardless of any preventative measures your opponent has in place. Additionally, you can capitalize on sacrifice effects, compelling your opponent to choose and sacrifice Oriss themselves. Cards like Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict can be especially useful in these situations. This way, instead of attempting to fight through the protection Oriss offers, you redirect the battlefield’s attention, effectively subverting your opponent’s game plan.

Adaptability is key when facing this unique guardian. By considering these tactics, players can ensure that Oriss, Samite Guardian does not become an insurmountable obstacle, maintaining the flow of the game in their favor.

Cards like Oriss, Samite Guardian

Oriss, Samite Guardian offers a unique dynamic in the realm of creature-based control within Magic: The Gathering. Oriss stands out with her grandeur ability that can prevent all damage from a source, akin to the venerable Mother of Runes which grants protection from a color of your choice to target creature. Nonetheless, Oriss requires you to bounce her back to your hand, which can be a significant tempo loss compared to the immediate effect of Mother of Runes.

Likewise, Giver of Runes, another sentinel in the battalion of creature protection, is often measured against Oriss. Although Giver of Runes provides the protective choice without the rebound effect, it only targets another creature you control, not itself. Oriss’ ability to protect herself adds resilience against single-target removal, diversifying strategic planning. Then there’s Selfless Spirit, which instead of targeting, offers a one-time blanket effect, giving your creatures indestructible until end of turn, potentially saving them from a sweeping destruction spell.

When analyzed side-by-side, Oriss, Samite Guardian holds a place in the card defender archetype due to its versatility and capability to self-preserve, exhibiting its distinctive tactical edge in Magic: The Gathering gameplay.

Cards similar to Oriss, Samite Guardian by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oriss, Samite Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Oriss, Samite Guardian and other MTG cards: