Hekma Sentinels MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 56
2020-08-13 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever you cycle or discard a card, Hekma Sentinels gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
"The God-Pharaoh created the Hekma to protect us from the horrors beyond and to surround us in his love."
Cards like Hekma Sentinels
Hekma Sentinels stands as an intriguing creature card within Magic: The Gathering, paralleling cards like Thraben Inspector. Although both hold the line with their modest power and toughness, Hekma Sentinels wields the ability to grow stronger whenever you cycle or discard a card, unlike the static nature of Thraben Inspector. The Inspector, however, does offer an additional clue token which can be exchanged for card draw.
Examining another counterpart, Aviary Mechanic shares a similar mana cost with the Sentinels. However, the Mechanic’s value derives from its enter the battlefield effect, allowing you to return another permanent to your hand, thus creating potential for repeated value which the Sentinels lack.
Then consider Aven Initiate, a card that also rewards you for discarding, but with a different payoff—embalm, which grants a second life upon death. Hekma Sentinels does not offer a comeback mechanic but does have the potential for consistent power increase during the game. Comparing these cards shows the Sentinels’ strength in the adaptability to cycling strategies.
In assessing the playability of these creatures, Hekma Sentinels finds its niche and can be a powerful asset when synergized with cycling and discard interactions in your Magic: The Gathering deck.
Cards similar to Hekma Sentinels by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hekma Sentinels grants you an edge by allowing you to potentially strengthen your hand each time you cycle or discard another card. This synergy not only bolsters your board presence but also refreshes your options, keeping you one step ahead of your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While Hekma Sentinels itself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its low casting cost makes it a reliable play in the early game. This leaves you more resources to allocate elsewhere, efficiently curving your plays over the progression of the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to play at instant speed is always a tactical advantage. Even though the Sentinels don’t possess this quality in itself, they pair excellently with instant-speed cycling cards. This coupling allows you to strengthen the Sentinels and disrupt your adversary’s strategy unexpectedly during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hekma Sentinels demands you have another cycling card to trigger its ability. Without one, it lacks the value it could potentially provide, making it a less versatile pick for decks not heavily invested in cycling.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a specific blue mana can sometimes constrain deck-building, as Hekma Sentinels may not easily fit into multi-colored decks or those with a strain on blue mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Hekma Sentinels is often overshadowed by other creatures at a similar cost that bring immediate impact to the game. The fact that it needs cycling to become a real threat further detracts from its efficiency as a card choice.
Reasons to Include Hekma Sentinels in Your Collection
Versatility: Hekma Sentinels is quite flexible, fitting into blue-based control or midrange decks quite seamlessly. Its ability to become more forceful with the cycling of a card means it can adapt as the game progresses.
Combo Potential: The strength of Hekma Sentinels grows with each card cycled, making it a great partner to strategies centered around card cycling or discard. It synergizes well with cycling decks that aim to benefit from drawing and discarding cards frequently.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where cycling decks are prevalent, Hekma Sentinels could prove to be an unexpectedly solid player. Its ability to both serve as a blocker and become an aggressive creature makes it a versatile addition to decks looking to capitalize on such mechanics.
How to beat
Hekma Sentinels, a creature card that sails into your MTG matches, with its ability to become stronger whenever you cycle or discard a card, can be a persistent threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. Its strength lies in its synergy with cycling and discard mechanics, which can make it a bulky obstacle to overcome. Yet, every card has its counterplay, and understanding how to dismantle the Sentinels’ defense is key.
To outmaneuver Hekma Sentinels, consider keeping removal spells handy. Direct damage spells or those that force a player to sacrifice a creature can quickly clear the Sentinels from the board before they get a chance to grow. Moreover, as a creature that thrives on certain mechanics, disrupting your opponent’s hand with discard effects diminishes the Sentinels’ potential to bulk up. Additionally, evasion tactics like flying or unblockable creatures can circumvent the Sentinels, making their on-ground presence less intimidating.
In essence, preemptive strategy and versatile deck construction can prepare you to face Hekma Sentinels. With swift reaction and disruption, you can ensure these guardians of the Hekma aren’t the bulwark your opponent relies on, securing your triumph in the game of strategy and wits that is Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hekma Sentinels MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Hekma Sentinels 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
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Printings
The Hekma Sentinels Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by James Ryman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hekma Sentinels 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hekma Sentinels card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | An ability that triggers whenever you discard a card doesn’t give you permission to discard cards. You’ll need another effect that instructs or allows you to discard them. |
| 2017-04-18 | An ability that triggers whenever you “cycle or discard” a card triggers only once if you cycle a card. The ability “Whenever you discard a card” is functionally identical to this ability; cycling is mentioned for clarity. |
| 2017-04-18 | If a player discards a card during their cleanup step due to having too many cards in hand, any appropriate abilities that trigger on discarding that card trigger. If this happens, those triggered abilities are put onto the stack and players receive priority in that cleanup step to cast spells or activate abilities (normally, no players may take actions during a cleanup step). Another cleanup step is created following that one. |
| 2017-04-18 | Some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability. |