Signpost Scarecrow MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Scarecrow
Abilities Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Signpost Scarecrow ensures card flow and mana diversity, essential for multicolor deck consistency.
  2. Its dual nature as a mana source and creature provides tactical depth and combo potential.
  3. Smart removal timing can minimize Signpost Scarecrow’s impact in a game.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance : Add one mana of any color.

"Accursed scarecrow! Sending folk in every direction is the same as sending them nowhere at all." —Corliss the Wanderer


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Signpost Scarecrow provides a versatile role in MTG decks, particularly through its ability to replace itself in your hand. When the scarecrow is on the field, it can be tapped for a colorless mana or cycled to draw another card, ensuring you aren’t at a loss for options.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana fixer, the Scarecrow assists in smoothing out the mana base of a deck. It is able to produce any color of mana, aiding players in casting spells outside their deck’s primary colors which is particularly beneficial in multicolor decks needing consistent mana of different types.

Instant Speed: The artifact creature may not have an instant speed ability itself, but its cycling capability can be activated at instant speed. This allows you to pass the turn holding up mana not just for the creature’s mana ability but also to cycle it away should the right situation or need for a new draw arise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike creatures that offer versatility or advantages simply upon entering the battlefield, Signpost Scarecrow can dent your hand by necessitating a card to be discarded for its activated ability. This requirement could pose a setback when trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The Signpost Scarecrow demands a diverse mana base to take full advantage of its ability—it needs both colorless mana and one mana of any color to activate. This can potentially cause issues in a deck that isn’t well-equipped to provide varied mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although cost-efficient for a versatile mana-fixing artifact, its four mana cost to cast might be seen as less than ideal when compared to other mana acceleration options. In many game situations, players might find that there are other mana artifacts or creatures that could be more impactful for the same or lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Signpost Scarecrow can easily adjust to any deck with its colorless nature and ability to generate mana of any color. Its utility allows for smooth mana-fixing, making it a reliable inclusion in multicolor decks looking to stabilize their mana base.

Combo Potential: Capable of being both a mana source and a creature, Signpost Scarecrow holds potential as a combo piece. It works well with cards that activate upon creatures entering the battlefield or benefit from the diverse mana it provides.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors versatility and adaptive strategies, Signpost Scarecrow shines. It’s particularly useful when facing off against control decks, as it ensures mana availability for your pivotal plays, regardless of your deck’s color composition.


How to beat

The Signpost Scarecrow stands as a versatile component in any MTG deck that values adaptability, particularly in formats like Limited. With the ability to add one mana of any color to your pool, it supports multicolored decks and offers a viable mana-fixing option. But conquering this artifact creature is not beyond reach. The key is to mitigate its impact by preventing the mana fixing it provides or by exploiting the fact that it’s not inherently a strong combatant.

In practice, this means using removal spells or abilities that specifically target artifacts or creatures before the Scarecrow can significantly influence the opponent’s mana availability. Efficient removal cards like Abrade or Naturalize can easily dismantle such artifacts, denying opponents their critical mana resources and maintaining pressure on the battlefield. As with any utility creature, recognizing the right moment to strike is crucial. Anticipate when opponents are most dependent on the Scarecrow for mana, and aim to disrupt their plans swiftly to secure your path to victory.

Ultimately, disruption and timing play imperative roles in outmaneuvering an adversary employing Signpost Scarecrow in their strategy. By being proactive and using the appropriate responses, the presence of this utility creature can be neutralized, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.


Cards like Signpost Scarecrow

Signpost Scarecrow enters the diverse array of mana-fixing artifacts within Magic: The Gathering, offering a direct comparison to cards like Manalith. Both provide the vital service of filtering mana of any color. Although Manalith does so without restriction, the Signpost Scarecrow stands out by also granting vigilance to another colorless creature, making it a tactical addition in decks that favor artifact creatures.

Another parallel can be drawn with Pilgrim’s Eye, a creature that while fixing mana by fetching a basic land card to your hand when it enters the battlefield, doesn’t offer the immediate tapping for any color. The Scarecrow’s ability to directly convert mana is sometimes crucial for a play. Then there’s Skittering Surveyor, which shares Pilgrim Eye’s land-fetching ability, again missing the instant flexibility provided by the Signpost Scarecrow’s mana conversion.

Ultimately, Signpost Scarecrow holds a unique position in MTG not merely as a mana fixer but also as an enabler for colorless creatures to be more formidable on the battlefield, giving it a dual purpose with strategic implications for deck builders focused on versatility and resilience in their game.

Manalith - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions
Skittering Surveyor - MTG Card versions
Manalith - Magic 2012 (M12)
Pilgrim's Eye - Worldwake (WWK)
Skittering Surveyor - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Signpost Scarecrow by color, type and mana cost

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Jester's Cap - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
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Rod of Ruin - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Gnarled Effigy - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Scrapbasket - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Magnetic Mine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Icy Manipulator - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Eye of Doom - Commander 2013 (C13)
Well of Lost Dreams - The List (PLST)
Tower of Fortunes - Commander 2013 (C13)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Signpost Scarecrow MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Jumpstart, 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 Signpost Scarecrow and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Signpost Scarecrow Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jung Park.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 2312015normalblackJung Park
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4852015normalblackJung Park
32020-09-26The ListPLST ELD-2312015normalblackJung Park

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Signpost Scarecrow has restrictions

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

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