Linvala, Keeper of Silence MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Angel
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Linvala disrupts opposing game plans by silencing creatures, creating significant tactical advantages.
  2. Thwart early game resource ramp by neutralizing opponent’s mana-producing creatures with Linvala’s abilities.
  3. Strategically intricate, Linvala offers both immediate and enduring control over the battlefield dynamics.

Text of card

Flying Activated abilities of creatures your opponents control can't be activated.

Those who seek to disturb the harmony of life will see their instruments taken from them.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Linvala, Keeper of Silence may not allow you to draw cards directly, but her ability to shut down opposing activated abilities can effectively render many of the opponent’s cards useless. This creates a form of card advantage by neutralizing the utility of your opponent’s resources, making each card in your hand comparatively more valuable.

Resource Acceleration: Although Linvala herself doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, her presence can significantly slow down your opponent’s resource acceleration. By inhibiting mana dorks and other creatures that tap for mana, she can effectively hamper the opponent’s development, keeping you ahead in the race for resource dominance.

Instant Speed: While Linvala is a creature that must be played at sorcery speed, her impact on the board can be immediately felt. Her ability to suppress activated abilities can be crucial at times when you need to disrupt combo pieces or key plays that rely on those abilities. It’s as if she brings the effect of an instant-speed disruption spell to the battlefield, continually applying pressure each turn she remains in play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Linvala, Keeper of Silence, there’s no direct discard effect, but the card’s presence can indirectly cause you to discard if not played at the right moment. If you’re holding onto her for the perfect timing, it can lead to a disadvantageous buildup of cards in hand, especially under pressure from opposing discard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Linvala demands a very specific mana investment of two white and two generic mana. This means she fits primarily into white-based or two-color decks that can accommodate the heavier white commitment, potentially limiting her utility in more diverse multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for Linvala sits at four, which is significant in games that value speed and efficiency. Considering the pace of the current meta, deploying her might come a step too late against more aggressive strategies that look to deploy threats early and often.


Reasons to Include Linvala Keeper of Silence in Your Collection

Versatility: Linvala Keeper of Silence serves as a multipurpose tool, fitting seamlessly into different deck builds. It acts as a form of disruption for opponents that rely heavily on activated abilities of creatures, making it a valuable asset in both casual and competitive play environments.

Combo Potential: This card is a key component in unlocking potent combinations within the game. It can shut down opponents’ abilities and pave the way for your own combos to dominate the battlefield without interference. Additionally, its inclusion can enhance the efficacy of strategies revolving around creature control and disruption.

Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of the MTG meta, Linvala Keeper of Silence remains relevant. In metas dominated by creatures with powerful activated abilities, Linvala can serve as an essential countermeasure, providing a strategic edge by neutralizing potential threats before they can disrupt your game plan.


How to beat

In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Linvala, Keeper of Silence represents a powerful piece of control, suppressing the abilities of creatures your opponents control. Navigating around this effect requires a focused strategy. Key to outmaneuvering Linvala is to rely on spells and abilities that don’t trigger from the battlefield. Direct removal spells like Doom Blade, Path to Exile, or even a board wipe such as Wrath of God can neutralize the threat she poses swiftly. Additionally, placing emphasis on instants that can be utilized before her ability fully takes hold upon your creature’s capabilities is crucial.

It’s also wise to employ creatures with hexproof or shroud to dodge her silencing effects. Keeping your most influential creatures protected in this manner can dull Linvala’s impact significantly. As a last resort, using countermagic when she is cast, though reactive, can prevent her from ever imposing her quieting presence on your game. Overall, while Linvala can establish dominance over creature-based strategies, she is not insurmountable with the proper preparation and response.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you build and refine your MTG deck, consider the strategic depth Linvala, Keeper of Silence can bring. Controlling the battlefield by stifling your opponents’ activated abilities, she may be the silent guardian your deck needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance your collection or sharpen your competitive edge, understanding her role in various metas is key. Don’t overlook the advantage of having such a powerful ally in your ranks. Dive deeper into the nuances of deck building with us, and discover how Linvala can dictate the pace of play and fortify your path to victory. Elevate your game with a deeper insight – join the BurnMana community to learn more.


Cards like Linvala, Keeper of Silence

Linvala, Keeper of Silence serves as a formidable force on the battlefield, occupying a special niche in the Magic: The Gathering universe. When casting an eye over cards with paralleling abilities, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite commands attention. Elesh Norn not only debuffs opponents’ creatures but also buffs your minions, affecting the battlefield prowess of both sides. While Linvala specifically silences activated abilities of creatures your opponents control, Elesh Norn’s influence is broader due to its stat modifications.

Another candidate for comparison is Cursed Totem, an artifact sharing Linvala’s silence of activated creature abilities. Though not a creature itself, Cursed Totem brings a similar impact to the game without the board presence. In contrast, Linvala offers a body that can attack and defend. Lastly, we consider Silence, a spell that neuters all opponents’ spells for a turn. While sharing part of Linvala’s namesake silence, it falls short in maintaining a consistent deterrent throughout the game.

These companions in silence strategy highlight Linvala’s unique strength in MTG. As a creature that can turn off a plethora of threats on the opposite side while participating in combat herself, her enduring presence often tips the scales significantly in your favor.

Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Silence - MTG Card versions
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Cursed Totem - Mirage (MIR)
Silence - Magic 2010 (M10)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Linvala, Keeper of Silence MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Linvala, Keeper of Silence and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Linvala, Keeper of Silence Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-04-23Rise of the EldraziROE 332003normalblackIgor Kieryluk
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 132015normalblackIgor Kieryluk
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12892015normalblackAlayna Danner
42020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1192015normalblackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Linvala, Keeper of Silence has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Linvala, Keeper of Silence card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2016-06-08 Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “
-ost:
-ffect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
2017-03-14 Linvala’s last ability affects only creatures on the battlefield. Activated abilities that work in other zones (such as bloodrush or unearth) can still be activated. Triggered abilities (starting with “when,” “whenever,” or “at”) are unaffected.
2017-03-14 No abilities of creatures your opponents control can be activated, including mana abilities.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks