Gustcloak Sentinel MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 37
2013-09-06 - Number 13
2015-02-27 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever Gustcloak Sentinel becomes blocked, you may untap it and remove it from combat.
Entire platoons have mysteriously vanished from battle, leaving enemy weapons to slice through empty air.
Cards like Gustcloak Sentinel
Gustcloak Sentinel presents an intriguing dynamic within creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It shares characteristics with other creatures that possess the ability to dodge and protect themselves during combat. For example, Gustcloak Harrier also allows a player to remove it from combat if it becomes blocked. This not only protects the creature but also can frustrate opponents’ strategies.
Dawnfluke is another creature that serves a protective role, although via a different mechanism. It can be cast using its evoke cost to prevent damage to a player or creature, showcasing a different aspect of MTG’s rich tapestry of defensive strategies. While Gustcloak Sentinel requires an attack to trigger its ability, Dawnfluke offers a more immediate defensive utility.
Comparing these with Gustcloak Savior, we notice a broader defensive utility. This card extends the combat evasion ability not just to itself but to other creatures you control as well. It’s a key enhancement that can turn the tide in battles, especially in decks focused on creature synergies.
Assessing Gustcloak Sentinel within its cohort, we recognize its utility in dodging unfavorable combat and maintaining board presence, making it a valuable piece in decks that capitalize on tactical retreats and re-engagements.
Cards similar to Gustcloak Sentinel by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gustcloak Sentinel doesn’t directly offer card draw, but it combines well with cards that offer incentives for attacking or tapping creatures. This synergy can effectively translate into card advantage when those conditions are fulfilled.
Resource Acceleration: While Gustcloak Sentinel isn’t a source of resource acceleration itself, its ability to untap and avoid unfavorable combat can preserve your creature resources. This aspect ensures you maintain a strong board presence, indirectly aiding in maintaining tempo and resource allocation for consecutive turns.
Instant Speed: The capacity to untap Gustcloak Sentinel at instant speed contributes significantly to its defensive utility. This ability provides flexibility by allowing you to decide the best time to untap, whether it’s during the declare blockers step to avoid trades or after blocks have been declared to evade combat tricks from an opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the realm of white creatures, Gustcloak Sentinel stands as an outlier. This sentinel’s ability to untap and avoid damage comes with a hidden cost. In environments where each card in hand is vital, the need to have another creature to reap the benefits of this sentinel’s ability is felt deeply, effectively acting as a discard requirement since you must forfeit another creature’s potential attack or block.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Gustcloak Sentinel is restrictive for a creature of its caliber. Requiring two generic and two white mana makes it less flexible for multicolor decks. It’s often the case that players seek creatures that provide more bang for their buck, and the color-restricted mana cost can be a thorn in the side of deck builders who value a diverse and adaptable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to deploying forces on the field, mana efficiency is key. Gustcloak Sentinel sits at four mana which is high for a creature that offers 3/4 stats without immediate impact. At this cost bracket, players might expect effects that can alter the state of the game, but the sentinel’s abilities may not always justify the mana investment, especially considering the rapid pace of the current landscape where lower-cost creatures can contribute to a winning strategy just as effectively, if not more so.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gustcloak Sentinel fits within a spectrum of decks, chiefly those that revolve around combat tactics and evade mechanics. Its ability to remove itself from combat ensures it thrives in situations where board control and creature survivability are paramount.
Combo Potential: This creature can be a linchpin in combos that capitalize on tapping or untapping creatures, or those that trigger on combat damage being avoided. It integrates well with cards that reward you for creatures not being damaged during combat.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game teeming with aggressive strategies, Gustcloak Sentinel can be a useful tool. Its capacity to dodge unfavorable blocks makes it a sturdy contender against the slew of combat-centric decks you might encounter.
How to beat
Gustcloak Sentinel presents a unique battlefield scenario in MTG due to its untap ability whenever it becomes blocked. This ability, at first glance, provides a seemingly robust defense mechanism, enabling it to evade potential threats and survive longer on the battlefield. Players facing this card must adapt their tactics to effectively handle the challenge it poses.
One viable approach to overcome Gustcloak Sentinel involves bypassing combat entirely. Utilizing direct removal spells can efficiently address the Sentinel without having to confront its untap ability. If you’re gearing up for a battle, spells that don’t allow the creature to become blocked in the first place, such as those granting unblockable or protection from creatures, nullify the Sentinel’s defensive capabilities. Additionally, employing creatures with the “can’t be blocked” feature or leveraging evasion tactics can ensure that your attack isn’t stymied by the Sentinel’s special ability.
Understanding Gustcloak Sentinel’s strengths and considering strategic actions can shift the odds in your favor. Winning against it requires a right mix of direct solutions, alternative combat strategies, and evasion techniques to best the vigilant creature. Adaptation is key, and with the right strategy, players can navigate around the obstacles it presents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gustcloak Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Gustcloak Sentinel 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 Gustcloak Sentinel Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2015-02-27. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 37 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 13 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 3 | 2015-02-27 | Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora | DDO | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gustcloak Sentinel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |