Invocation of Saint Traft MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 246
2016-04-08 - Number 246s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature has "Whenever this creature attacks, put a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Exile that token at end of combat."
Cards like Invocation of Saint Traft
Invocation of Saint Traft serves as a unique aura in Magic: The Gathering with the specific ability to create a significant power spike on the battlefield. It’s akin to the infamous Spectra Ward, which also confers protection and a power boost to enchanted creatures. However, the comparison diverges with Saint Traft’s ability to conjure a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying that can power up attacks considerably.
Another comparable card is Ethereal Armor, which fortifies a creature based on the number of enchantments controlling. While Ethereal Armor bolsters creatures for a potential long-term increase in power, it lacks the immediate and impactful board presence that Invocation of Saint Traft’s Angel tokens provide. Then there’s Geist of Saint Traft itself—a card that embodies the essence of its Invocation. This legendary creature is equipped with hexproof and has a similar token-generating ability upon attacking, yet the Invocation offers a more versatile application by enchanting any creature, not just itself.
To sum up, within the enchantment variety in Magic: The Gathering, Invocation of Saint Traft holds a distinct place with its instantaneous token creation that can swing games, offering a blend of offensive power and strategic versatility that sets it apart from its enchantment brethren.
Cards similar to Invocation of Saint Traft by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Invocation of Saint Traft grants an advantage by creating a formidable angelic token with each attack, potentially pressuring opponents without depleting cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: This enchantment doesn’t directly accelerate resources, yet the generated 4/4 Angel allows you to focus resources on other strategic plays while still applying offensive pressure.
Instant Speed: While the enchantment itself isn’t played at instant speed, the ability to summon an Angel token is triggered during the attack, which can bypass some sorcery-speed removals, making it a surprise tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Invocation of Saint Traft requires you to exile a creature card from your graveyard as part of its activation. This can be a significant drawback in gameplay, particularly in the early game when your graveyard resources are limited, or in decks that do not heavily utilize the graveyard as a resource.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes both white and blue mana, making it less flexible for inclusion in decks. Its specific mana requirements can hamper deck-building options, particularly for those who prefer a more varied mana base or multicolor decks that may not focus on white and blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, one of which is specifically white and another blue, Invocation of Saint Traft’s mana cost is on the higher side for its effect. In an environment where speed is crucial, the card may prove too slow, especially given that there are other aura spells in the game that provide similar benefits or better value for a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Invocation of Saint Traft in Your Collection
Versatility: Invocation of Saint Traft offers a unique blend of aggressive and defensive capabilities, allowing it to enhance both offensive strategies with spirit token summoning and defensive plays through enchantment synergies.
Combo Potential: This card pairs excellently with creatures that have hexproof or other protective abilities, setting up powerful combos that can dominate the battlefield with relentless attacks from an unblockable creature and its accompanying Angel.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment frequently includes decks that struggle against fast and resilient win conditions, Invocation of Saint Traft can be a game-changer by creating substantial pressure each time the enchanted creature attacks, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Invocation of Saint Traft is a notable aura in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tide of a game by bestowing a creature with the ability to create a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying and haste. This token then attacks alongside it whenever the enchanted creature attacks. Understanding the card’s mechanics is crucial for formulating a counterstrategy. To effectively combat this card, disruption is key. You can employ removal spells that target either the aura or the creature it enchants, negating the token generation entirely.
Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can provide an instant solution to the buffed creature. Counterspells are also an efficient way to preemptively deal with Invocation of Saint Traft, by countering it while it’s still on the stack. Alternatively, mass removal spells are effective at clearing the generated Angel tokens along with other threats on the board. Cards like Supreme Verdict and Wrath of God, which don’t target, can sweep the board and reset the playing field, making your opponent’s investment in the aura a wasted effort.
It’s important to keep disruption spells ready or maintain board control to prevent the Invocation of Saint Traft aura from becoming an overwhelming presence on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Invocation of Saint Traft MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Invocation of Saint Traft and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Printings
The Invocation of Saint Traft Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2016-04-08. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad Promos | PSOI | 246s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Invocation of Saint Traft has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Invocation of Saint Traft card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | Although the token is attacking, it was never declared as an attacking creature (for purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example). |
| 2016-04-08 | If an effect gives the token vigilance, the token will still enter the battlefield tapped. |
| 2016-04-08 | Removing Invocation of Saint Traft or the enchanted creature from the battlefield won’t stop the delayed triggered ability from exiling the Angel token at end of combat. |
| 2016-04-08 | You declare which player or planeswalker the token is attacking as you put it onto the battlefield. It doesn’t have to be the same player or planeswalker the enchanted creature is attacking. |