Devotee of Strength MTG Card

Devotee of Strength - Hour of Devastation

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Naga Wizard
Released	2017-07-14
Set symbol
Set name	Hour of Devastation
Set code	HOU
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	113
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Yeong-Hao Han

Key Takeaways

Board dominance through its power-boost ability can swiftly change the dynamics of a game.
Instant speed activation offers strategic flexibility during crucial phases of play.
Mana and deck-building requirements may limit its versatility across different strategies.

Text of card

: Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

When Rhonas fell, his followers stirred with newfound strength—a final gift from a god they thought indomitable.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Devotee of Strength doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but it provides a presence on the board that can outclass other creatures, effectively providing advantage through board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, its ability to bolster itself can lead to a rapid escalation in power, potentially reducing the number of turns needed to close out a game.

Instant Speed: Devotee of Strength’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to enhance its power during either player’s turn. This can disrupt your opponent’s combat calculations or create favorable blocks and attacks on demand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One facet where Devotee of Strength may fall short is in requiring a commitment to its specific game plan. Unlike other cards that can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of strategies, this creature demands deck-building considerations to fully capitalize on its abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s requirement for green mana restricts its inclusion to decks that run forests or have appropriate mana fixing. This specific mana requirement can create challenges in decks that aim for more color diversity or that do not prioritize green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base stats and initial impact on the board, Devotee of Strength may not seem as appealing compared to other creatures at a similar mana value. While its activated ability provides a valuable reward later in the game, players might find the upfront cost hefty when faster or more immediately impactful creatures are available for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Devotee of Strength in Your Collection

Versatility: Devotee of Strength seamlessly integrates into a variety of green deck builds, especially those that rely on mana efficiency and creature buffs. Its ability to enhance a creature’s power gives it an edge in both offensive and defensive scenarios.

Combo Potential: This creature allows for impressive combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Its activated ability can be a game-changer, providing the necessary strength to overpower opponents or simply to activate synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies prevail, Devotee of Strength can serve as a formidable asset. Its ability to pump up creatures can tip the scales in combat, making it a relevant choice for those aiming to stay competitive.

How to beat

Devotee of Strength is a solid creature card that comes to life in Green decks within Magic: The Gathering. Boasting not only a decent power and toughness ratio, but also the ability to enhance not only itself but other creatures with its activated ability, it’s a card that can quickly turn the tables in a creature-heavy strategy. To effectively combat this formidable foe, players should consider removal options that can outpace the mana investment Devotee of Strength requires for its ability.

Spot removal spells are a reliable answer, as they can target and eliminate this threat before the buff becomes relevant. Cards like Fatal Push, Path to Exile, or even instant-speed bounce spells that disrupt the opponent’s tempo are particularly effective here. Board wipes also serve as a clean solution, clearing out Devotee of Strength along with any other creatures that might have benefited from its power-up ability. Another strategy is to limit the creature’s ability to attack or block with cards that tap it down or otherwise neutralize it without removing it from the battlefield. By prioritizing these interactions, players can keep a Devotee of Strength-centric strategy in check.

Moreover, maintaining a pace that pressures the opponent to use mana inefficiently can thwart the plans of a Devotee of Strength deck, ensuring it never becomes the unstoppable force it has the potential to be.

Cards like Devotee of Strength

In the realm of creatures that bolster their power, Devotee of Strength in MTG stands out for its ability to empower not only itself but other creatures as well. This aspect brings it close to other cards like Nessian Wilds Ravager, which also comes into play with the potential to significantly increase its power. The difference, however, lies in the flexibility that Devotee of Strength offers, allowing players to use its ability multiple times across different turns rather than the one-time effect upon entering the battlefield with Nessian Wilds Ravager.

Another comparable creature is Ripjaw Raptor, a card that also carries the green creature tradition of strength and durability. While Ripjaw Raptor doesn’t directly increase power stats, it has an enrage ability that draws a card when it is dealt damage. This provides a different kind of value and staying power on the board. Then there’s Avatar of the Resolute, which gains counters and reaches based on other creatures with counters, a synergy-based approach unlike the targeted ability of Devotee of Strength.

Devotee of Strength ensures its place in MTG as a versatile and reliable creature, adept in enhancing board presence through its repeatable power-boosting ability, comparing favorably to its peers that offer either situational benefits or less flexibility.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devotee of Strength MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Devotee of Strength and other MTG cards: