Encampment Keeper MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dog
Abilities First strike
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Strategically, Encampment Keeper provides card advantage and can surprise opponents with instant speed activation.
  2. Low casting cost facilitates early board development, essential for tempo in white-centric or multi-color decks.
  3. Eternalize offers late-game power, but requires a significant mana investment and a card to discard.

Text of card

First strike , , Sacrifice Encampment Keeper: Creatures you control get +2/+2 until end of turn.

Paladins of the Sanctum Seeker order are an adventurous lot, venturing into the wilds with monstrous mastiffs at their side.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Encampment Keeper can offer strategic late-game card advantage when its ability to draw a card upon death is combined with the tactical foresight of the player.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana ramp, Encampment Keeper’s low casting cost aids in building your battlefield presence quickly, paving the way for more substantial plays as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: Its finality ability can be activated at instant speed, catching opponents off guard during combat or at the end of their turn, effectively acting as a surprise force multiplier or a deterrent to attackers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Encampment Keeper, you must remain aware of the need to have a card to discard, as its eternalize ability requires you to discard in addition to the mana cost. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is becoming depleted of valuable card options.

Specific Mana Cost: Encampment Keeper demands a specific mana alignment with white, constraining its inclusion primarily within white or multicolored decks. This characteristic can hinder deck-building versatility and could be less ideal for players running decks with a broader color palette.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To unleash its full potential through eternalize, Encampment Keeper comes with a steep mana cost that may not align with the efficiency sought by strategic players. There are alternatives in the card pool that could fulfill similar roles without such a hefty mana investment, making it a less preferable choice for those looking to optimize their mana curve.


Reasons to Include Encampment Keeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Encampment Keeper can be a strategic inclusion in White weenie decks or any deck that requires low-cost creatures. Its First Strike ability provides an extra layer of defense against early threats.

Combo Potential: With its mana-intensive Evoke ability, this card can serve as a surprise mass removal late in the game. It works well in decks that are able to ramp up mana quickly or that can utilize the late game board wipe to their advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive small creature play, Encampment Keeper can act as an efficient blocker or an emergency reset button, making it a valuable card for adapting to fast-paced environments.


How to beat Encampment Keeper

Encampment Keeper may seem modest as a 1/1 creature with a low casting cost, yet in Magic: The Gathering its late game potential can be surprising, especially when it comes to its mana-intensive Ability to clear the board. It’s a creature card that players often have in their arsenal for a strategic edge when they least expect it. The key to overcoming Encampment Keeper lies in its vulnerability to removal spells. Cards like Fatal Push or Shock can easily dispatch this creature before its controller has the chance to gather the necessary mana to activate its formidable Ability.

Moreover, in a MTG matchup where board control is crucial, countering the Keeper’s Ability is imperative. Holding onto a counter spell, such as Negate, ensures that you can stop the board-clearing effect that Encampment Keeper can unleash. Since the Keeper’s Strength doesn’t lie in its combat capabilities, it rarely poses a threat on its own, making it an easy target to remove with a low-cost spell or ability. By managing your resources and keeping a watchful eye, you can easily neutralize Encampment Keeper’s potential impact on the game.


Cards like Encampment Keeper

Encampment Keeper is a card of choice for players seeking early-board presence in Magic: The Gathering. It parallels other one-mana creatures like Savannah Lions, which shares its decent 2/1 stat line. Where Encampment Keeper differentiates itself is in its late-game potential with an ability to bolster your forces through its mana-intensive activated effect, something Savannah Lions lacks.

Another comparable card is Isamaru, Hound of Konda, an equally aggressive one-mana hound with a 2/2 stat distribution. The key distinction lies in Encampment Keeper’s late-game utility compared to Isamaru’s consistent early game pressure without any additional abilities. Also in the mix is Skymarcher Aspirant – a one-drop with upside. With the city’s blessing, it gains flying, providing evasive capabilities that Encampment Keeper doesn’t naturally possess.

Overall, Encampment Keeper offers a unique blend of early aggro potential and an unconventional mana sink in the later stages of play, making it a versatile pick for many white creature-oriented decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Isamaru, Hound of Konda - MTG Card versions
Skymarcher Aspirant - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Isamaru, Hound of Konda - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Skymarcher Aspirant - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)

Cards similar to Encampment Keeper by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Tundra Wolves - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Eager Cadet - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Benalish Hero - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Icatian Infantry - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Scout - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Javelineers - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Kjeldoran Warrior - Ice Age (ICE)
Trade Caravan - Homelands (HML)
Vigilant Martyr - Mirage (MIR)
Honor Guard - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Nomads en-Kor - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Volunteer Militia - Portal Second Age (P02)
Soul Warden - Historic Anthology 1 (HA1)
Resistance Fighter - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Tundra Wolves - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Honorable Scout - Planeshift (PLS)
Eager Cadet - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Devoted Caretaker - Odyssey (ODY)
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Kor Duelist - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Encampment Keeper MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Mystery Booster, 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 Encampment Keeper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Encampment Keeper Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 112015normalblackCraig J Spearing
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 912015normalblackCraig J Spearing
32020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-112015normalblackCraig J Spearing

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Encampment Keeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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