Crimson Acolyte MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Protection
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	11
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dany Orizio

Key Takeaways

Grants protection from red, offering strategic defense and maintaining card advantage.
Instant speed ability for adaptive responses to threats and enhancing strategy.
Potential restrictions in multicolor decks due to specific mana requirements.

Text of card

Protection from red oo W Target creature gains protection from red until end of turn.

The faithful will walk through streams of fire and emerge unscathed. —Crimson acolyte creed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Crimson Acolyte does not directly draw cards, its protection ability can maintain card advantage by saving your creatures from red spells or abilities, effectively negating an opponent’s removal attempt and preserving your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a tool for ramping, Crimson Acolyte can be viewed as a way to accelerate your resource efficacy. By providing protection from red, it allows you to dedicate your resources to developing your board without the fear of red-based board wipes or targeted destruction.

Instant Speed: Crimson Acolyte’s ability to grant protection at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions on the fly. This reactionary potential can give you a significant edge, as you can adapt to threats as they occur, securing your strategy and advancing your position whilst disrupting your opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crimson Acolyte’s ability to protect from red spells or block red creatures can be less impactful if it requires you to discard other valuable cards from your hand to utilize this effect, potentially putting you at a resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for white mana in its casting cost means it might not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks that don’t heavily feature white mana, thus limiting its versatility in your deckbuilding options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that is somewhat elevated for its protective abilities, Crimson Acolyte can be seen as a less efficient choice when compared to other creatures or spells that offer similar defenses or abilities at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Crimson Acolyte in Your Collection

Versatility: Crimson Acolyte’s protection from red offers a unique advantage that can be helpful in a multitude of deck builds. This card can serve as a strategic defensive measure against decks heavy on red spells or creatures.

Combo Potential: Possessing the ability to grant itself or another creature protection from red can be used in tandem with other cards to create powerful protective combos during gameplay. This can be particularly impactful in matches where red spells dominate.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s meta ebbs and flows, having Crimson Acolyte in your arsenal ensures that if red becomes a prevalent color in the competitive scene, you’ll be well-equipped with a countermeasure, making this card a timeless addition to your collection.

How to beat

Crimson Acolyte presents an interesting challenge with its protection from red. In the diverse tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, this can make it a sticky adversary on the battlefield, especially when red dominates your deck. To effectively navigate around this obstacle, it’s crucial to diversify your removal options.

Consider incorporating cards that can bypass its protection, such as those that don’t target, like board wipes or cards that change the creature’s color. Look towards blue spells, which can return the Acolyte to its owner’s hand, essentially resetting the board and requiring your opponent to recast it. Black spells that force sacrifices are also potent against the Acolyte, as they circumvent targeting altogether. In addition, enchantment-based removal that doesn’t specify a target can effectively neutralize the Acolyte, rendering it harmless or even turning it to your advantage. By broadening your deck’s toolset, you create multiple pathways to outmaneuver the inherent strength of the Crimson Acolyte.

Strategic planning and a well-rounded deck can mitigate the challenges posed by cards like Crimson Acolyte, ensuring that your strategy remains fluid and responsive across the diverse landscape of Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards like Crimson Acolyte

Crimson Acolyte is an intriguing piece in the realm of protection creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to cards such as White Knight, which also touts protection from a specific color—protection from black, in its case. The Acolyte, however, shines with its ability to grant protection from red not only to itself but to another creature as well. This can create a pivotal defensive advantage, unlike White Knight, which solely defends itself.

Another card worth mentioning is Mother of Runes, a staple with the power to grant protection from any color to other creatures. While it lacks the self-protection offered by Crimson Acolyte, the flexibility Mother of Runes provides is undeniable. This utility makes it a preferred option for many decks needing versatile protection. On the other hand, Standard Bearer demands attention, compelling opponents to target it over other creatures, albeit without the innate protection traits of the Crimson Acolyte.

Evaluating these cards, Crimson Acolyte has a unique spot for decks that specifically fear red threats, offering both individual and team-focused protection, a quality that makes it a distinct and valuable asset in MTG’s diverse roster of creatures.

Cards similar to Crimson Acolyte by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crimson Acolyte MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Crimson Acolyte and other MTG cards: