Headwater Sentries MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Warrior |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 58 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Naomi Baker |
Cards like Headwater Sentries
In the vast expanse of Magic: The Gathering’s card pool, Headwater Sentries makes its mark as a sturdy inclusion in blue-centered creature decks. Standing alongside similar defensive creatures, Headwater Sentries offers a respectable body with a 2/5 stat line for four mana. Comparable to cards like Jeskai Sage, which provides a 1/1 body with prowess and the benefit of drawing a card upon death, Headwater Sentries shines with its larger toughness, becoming a reliable blocker against many common attacking creatures.
Another card worth mentioning is Murmuring Phantasm, which presents a 0/5 defender for only two mana. While it doesn’t offer the offensive potential of Headwater Sentries due to its defender status, its lower casting cost makes it a more readily available obstacle on the board. In contrast, Headwater Sentries does not carry the defender tag, allowing it to contribute to assaults if the situation calls for it.
Assessing the similarities and differences among these cards helps players make strategic choices that align with their deck’s playing style and objectives. While not aggressive by nature, Headwater Sentries can serve as a formidable guardian in blue decks that seek to establish a strong defense while setting up their strategic plays.
Cards similar to Headwater Sentries by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Headwater Sentries may not directly contribute to drawing cards, its presence can deter opponents from attacking, indirectly maintaining your hand strength as you don’t have to replace creatures as often.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, but its cost-effective toughness means you can allocate mana to other spells while having a resilient blocker or attacker on the board.
Instant Speed: Although Headwater Sentries isn’t an instant itself, it benefits from being played alongside instant-speed interaction by not committing your resources until necessary, thus keeping mana open for counterspells or surprise plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Headwater Sentries don’t directly contribute to any discard strategies within a match, missing an opportunity to synergize with such mechanisms that could benefit a player’s overall game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card commands a very specific mana cost requiring two islands to be played, which could be a challenge in multicolored decks not focused on blue mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana for a 2/5 body, players may find that other creatures or spells offer more value or impact on the game state at a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Headwater Sentries feature a straightforward mana-to-power/toughness ratio that allows them to be a stable presence in decks that require reliable defenders. Their ability to fit into a variety of blue-based decks, particularly those focusing on control or merfolk synergies, makes them a solid choice for diversifying your collection.
Combo Potential: While not inherently combo-centric, Headwater Sentries can serve as a functional piece in decks that capitalize on creature count, such as those that leverage cards like “Coat of Arms” or “Vanquisher’s Banner” to enhance all creatures of a particular type.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where smaller, aggressive creatures can dominate, Headwater Sentries offer a defense against onslaughts with their 3/5 stature. As part of a sideboard, they can adjust the tempo of matches in slower, more controlled play environments, providing value within certain metagame contexts.
How to beat
Headwater Sentries may not be the flashiest creature in MTG, but it can be a tough wall to crack. With its 2/5 stats for four mana, it can survive quite a few combat scenarios that would take down smaller creatures. To effectively handle this vigilant merfolk warrior, consider leveraging removal spells that don’t depend on damage, such as Murder or Path to Exile, which can immediately take the sentries out of the equation, no matter how high their toughness may be.
Combat tricks can also turn the tide against Headwater Sentries. Cards like Giant Growth can enable smaller creatures to overpower the sentries in battle. Alternatively, if you’re looking to avoid combat altogether, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize them without requiring a direct confrontation. Remember, evasion abilities like flying or menace can also be key, as Headwater Sentries lack reach or any form of evasion, making them unable to block creatures with those abilities.
Ultimately, while Headwater Sentries might resist a few hits, a strategic approach using the right spells or abilities can easily outmaneuver its defensive presence on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Headwater Sentries MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Headwater Sentries 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Headwater Sentries has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |