Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Disturb,Lifelink,Transform
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Kindly Ancestor provides card advantage by transitioning into Ancestor’s Embrace, offering sustained utility.
  2. Ancestor’s Embrace indirectly aids in resource acceleration by protecting key creatures on the board.
  3. Leverage strategy and remove or disrupt Kindly Ancestor at the right time to neutralize its advantage.

Text of card

Lifelink Disturb (You may cast this card from your graveyard transformed for its disturb cost.)

"You look cold, dearie."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kindly Ancestor provides a subtle edge by reincarnating into the Aura Ancestor’s Embrace, letting you essentially draw into additional protection for your creature investment. This double-faced nature keeps your hand stocked with utility without the need for extra draws.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a tool for ramping, Ancestor’s Embrace lends an indirect form of resource acceleration by safeguarding your key creatures. This allows you to devote mana to developing your board rather than recasting important creatures.

Instant Speed: While Kindly Ancestor itself does not operate at instant speed, its lifelink capacity establishes a persistent board presence. When transformed into Ancestor’s Embrace, it equips at sorcery speed but brings the bonus of returning from the graveyard, offering resilience and sustained board presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor’s Embrace does not require you to discard directly, enchanting a creature post-mortem entails a potential card disadvantage. Should the enchanted creature be removed from play, you may end up losing two cards for one opponent’s removal action, making it less appealing when you can’t afford to lose hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Ancestor’s Embrace asks for specific white mana, meaning its inclusion in multi-colored decks could reduce consistency and strain your mana base. Players running decks with a tight mana curve might find it challenging to allocate resources for this aura effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana for a lifelink enchantment like Kindly Ancestor may sound reasonable, the opportunity cost becomes evident when compared to other enchantments available. There are lower-cost or more versatile lifelink options, which may make Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor’s Embrace a lesser pick, especially when the game plan demands efficiency over versatility.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kindly Ancestor offers flexibility as a 1/4 lifelink creature that can also serve as an aura with Ancestor’s Embrace. It fits in a variety of decks, particularly those seeking resilient early blockers or requiring steady life gain.

Combo Potential: The dual nature of this card presents unique synergy opportunities. Ancestor’s Embrace can enhance other creatures, while the lifelink ability works well in decks that capitalize on life gain for various triggers and effects.

Meta-Relevance: Whether it’s being used on the creature side for a consistent lifelink presence or as the aura to buff a key creature, Kindly Ancestor holds its own in an environment where maintaining life totals and creature permanence is crucial.


How to beat

Kindly Ancestor is a distinctive card known for its dual functionality and ability to provide lasting in-game value in MTG. As a creature, it can serve as an early-game defender, often deterring aggression due to its Lifelink trait. Once in the graveyard, Ancestor’s Embrace becomes a potent aura, capable of fortifying a key creature and maintaining a player’s life total robust.

Overcoming the resilience of Kindly Ancestor hinges on timing and resource management. It’s crucial to hold onto removal spells once Ancestor’s Embrace goes live, or to leverage graveyard disruption tactics that prevent the aura from returning. Only with precise strategy and a focus on controlling player resources can Kindly Ancestor’s advantage be effectively suppressed, ensuring it doesn’t provide overwhelming and recurring value to your opponent. Card effects that exile from graveyards or negate enchantments are particularly effective here. Therefore, understanding the rhythm of when to play and when to wait is vital in mitigating the impact Kindly Ancestor can have on the game.


Cards like Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace

Kindly Ancestor stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile creature enchantment. When compared to cards such as Dauntless Bodyguard, which also offer protection for other creatures, Kindly Ancestor introduces an additional layer by becoming an enchantment – Ancestor’s Embrace – with lifelink. This makes Kindly Ancestor unique as it can be a creature or an aura, depending on the situation.

In the realm of enchantments, Faith’s Fetters allows players to control the battlefield by neutralizing a threat while also gaining life. While it’s similar in offering a life gain, it does not have the flexibility of Kindly Ancestor, which can also be a creature when needed. Another comparable card is Ethereal Armor, which boosts a creature based on the number of enchantments you control, but it lacks the utility of doubling as a creature.

Kindly Ancestor’s transformability means it adapts to the changing tides of gameplay, offering strategic options whether you’re fortifying your defenses or sustaining your life total. Its presence can often tip the scales with its dual nature, setting it apart from other protective spells and enchantments in the game.

Dauntless Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Faith's Fetters - MTG Card versions
Ethereal Armor - MTG Card versions
Dauntless Bodyguard - Dominaria (DOM)
Faith's Fetters - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Ethereal Armor - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Cards similar to Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)
Kithkin Healer - Lorwyn (LRW)
Kor Hookmaster - Zendikar (ZEN)
Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Emancipation Angel - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Steelform Sliver - Magic 2014 (M14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Justyna Dura.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 222015transformblackJustyna Dura
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 2892015transformblackJustyna Dura

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kindly Ancestor // Ancestor's Embrace has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks