Jolrael's Centaur MTG Card

Its shroud ability provides significant resilience, often leading to a more sustained board presence. Demands careful deck building due to its specific mana requirements and discard cost for optimization. A strong contender in metagames dominated by targeted removal, adding reliability to your lineup.

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 222

Jolrael's Centaur - World Championship Decks 1997 (WC97)

World Championship Decks 1997 (WC97)
1997-08-13 - Number sg222

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Centaur Archer
Abilities	Flanking,Shroud
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking is assigned to block this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.) Jolrael's Centaur cannot be the target of spells or effects.

"What need have I for cavalry when I can have horse and rider both in one?" —Jolrael

Cards like Jolrael's Centaur

Jolrael’s Centaur is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the functionality of fellow centaur cards, such as Centaur Courser, sharing a common creature type and a notable presence on the battlefield. While Jolrael’s Centaur might not possess the raw power of some of its kin, its shroud ability cannot be underrated. This defensive trait ensures it dodges targeted spells and abilities, something Centaur Courser lacks, offering a distinct tactical advantage.

Another similar card, Sacred Wolf, also boasts the shroud ability, but it trades off the centaur tribal synergy for a slightly lower mana cost. The choice between these two cards can influence deck strategy, determining whether shroud or tribal benefits weigh heavier on the scale. Phantom Centaur brings something else to the table with protection from black and the unique phantom mechanic, which can make it a more resilient choice especially against decks heavy with removal.

Comparing these creatures underlines Jolrael’s Centaur’s defensive strength provided by shroud, an ability that continues to be valuable against decks that rely on targeted removal, accentuating its role in MTG as a solid, dependable creature amidst the versatile centaur lineup.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jolrael’s Centaur can’t be the target of spells or abilities from opponents, which often translates into a form of card advantage. Opposing players are forced to use board wipes or untargeted removal, potentially saving your other creatures from single-target removal.

Resource Acceleration: Although Jolrael’s Centaur doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, its resilience to being targeted can lead to indirect resource acceleration. By maintaining board presence without the need for further investment, you essentially free up mana and resources that would have been used to redeploy other creatures.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not at instant speed, its shroud ability supports instant speed strategies by acting as a robust defender. With Jolrael’s Centaur on the battlefield, you can confidently play instants and hold up mana for counterspells or tricks without worrying as much about your battlefield presence.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engagement with Jolrael’s Centaur requires a player to discard another card, often putting them at a disadvantage if they’re already managing a scarce hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting of this card demands a precise combination of one green mana plus an additional two, which could be restrictive for multi-colored deck strategies not heavily invested in forest lands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, its 2/2 stats may not be the most efficient use of resources when you could opt for cards with greater impact or utility at the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Jolrael’s Centaur in Your Collection

Versatility: As a card with shroud, Jolrael’s Centaur offers a level of resilience that can be invaluable in a variety of deck builds. Its ability to resist targeted spells and abilities makes it a reliable creature on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Its shroud ability ensures that it remains as a persistent threat and can effectively be combined with auras or equipment that do not target it once they’re in play, benefiting strategies based around non-targeting buffs.

Meta-Relevance: In environments plagued by heavy removal decks, Jolrael’s Centaur maintains a presence where other creatures might not. Its staying power under such conditions can provide a tactical advantage over opponents relying on targeted removal.

How to beat

Jolrael’s Centaur, an intriguing shroud-bearing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, can be a thorn in the side of players trying to target it with spells or abilities. Its shroud ability ensures it’s immune to both your buffs and the opponent’s targeted removal, which could make it seem impenetrable at first glance. However, like any card in the game, it has vulnerabilities.

To effectively counteract Jolrael’s Centaur, you must employ tactics that don’t rely on targeting. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation sweep away all creatures indiscriminately, bypassing the shroud entirely. Alternatively, you could outpace it with stronger creatures or overwhelm your opponent with a large number of creatures, rendering the Centaur a lesser threat. Utilizing spells that change the rules of engagement, such as those that prevent damage from green creatures or creatures altogether, can also undercut the Centaur’s effectiveness in combat.

Ultimately, the key to overcoming a seemingly untouchable card like Jolrael’s Centaur lies in a strategic approach that adapts to the unique conditions it creates on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jolrael's Centaur MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Jolrael's Centaur and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jolrael's Centaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1997-08-13. Illustrated by Junior Tomlin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-10-08	Mirage	MIR		222	1997	Normal	Black	Junior Tomlin
2	1997-08-13	World Championship Decks 1997	WC97		sg222	1997	Normal	Gold	Junior Tomlin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jolrael's Centaur has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal