Keening Apparition MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 12
2024-01-12 - Number 21
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Sacrifice Keening Apparition: Destroy target enchantment.
Some souls are too damaged to be of use to the Orzhov.
Cards like Keening Apparition
Keening Apparition stands out in the realm of creature cards with utility abilities. For players looking to manage problematic enchantments, Keening Apparition presents a straightforward solution. When compared to Naturalize, the Apparition offers both a creature body and the ability to sacrifice for enchantment removal, albeit limited to the controller’s turn.
A close relative within the same sphere of enchantment control is Leonin Relic-Warder. This creature card comes with the capability to exile an artifact or enchantment until it leaves the battlefield, providing a temporary but more flexible answer. The trade-off here involves Leonin Relic-Warder’s conditional removal versus the Apparition’s guaranteed self-sacrifice trigger.
Another creature to consider is Reclamation Sage, sharing a similar function but with an added edge. Unlike Keening Apparition, the Sage can destroy an artifact or enchantment upon entry, offering immediate impact regardless of your turn status. This flexibility can be critical during complex board states or tight gameplay scenarios.
Evaluating these options, Keening Apparition may not be the most versatile creature in this niche, but its sacrifice mechanic can surprise opponents and navigate around various control strategies, making it a worthy inclusion for players valuing on-demand enchantment removal attached to a creature.
Cards similar to Keening Apparition by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Keening Apparition may not directly enable you to draw additional cards, this spirit offers a unique kind of card advantage by efficiently dealing with problematic enchantments. When it’s sacrificed, not only can it clear the way for your other creatures to attack or block, but it also deals with an opponent’s enchantment without losing card equilibrium.
Resource Acceleration: While Keening Apparition doesn’t impact your mana pool directly, it plays a vital role in maintaining your board presence without expending extra resources. This helps keep your momentum and maximizes the potential of your existing resources, ensuring you’re always ready to cast crucial spells when you need them.
Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Keening Apparition at instant speed adds a versatile layer to your gameplay. It allows you to navigate around your opponent’s moves and strategically decide whether to sacrifice it for enchantment removal or keep it as a blocker, making it an adaptable tool in various game situations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Keening Apparition doesn’t directly require a card to be discarded, it is important to consider the opportunity cost of playing this card. By using a slot in your deck for Keening Apparition, it means one less spot for other potential utility or threats which could be a downside in a tight deck build.
Specific Mana Cost: Keening Apparition requires one white mana in its casting cost. This can tailor its inclusion primarily for white-based decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-color deck strategies unless mana fixing is accounted for.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that offers a utility ability to destroy enchantments, Keening Apparition’s mana cost is on the higher end compared to other options in Magic the Gathering. Some players might find this cost inhibitive, especially when other creatures or spells can offer similar enchantment removal abilities at a lower cost, allowing players to maintain tempo and manage their mana more efficiently.
Reasons to Include Keening Apparition in Your Collection
Versatility: Keening Apparition is a flexible inclusion in decks keen on dealing with enchantments. Its ability to destroy target enchantment can disrupt opponent strategies and offers utility in various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card can not only serve as an enchantment removal tool but also synergizes with graveyard mechanics or death triggers. Its self-sacrifice ability can be used to your advantage in decks designed around such interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of strong enchantments in many meta decks, having a Keening Apparition ready can shift the tide of battle in your favor. Keeping your deck meta-relevant means having answers to common threats, and this card offers just that.
How to beat
Keening Apparition, found in the realm of creature spells in Magic the Gathering, brings a unique dynamic to the game with its enchantment removal ability. This particular feature allows players to remove trickier enchantments, which can often be a thorn in one’s side during a match. To effectively circumvent the obstacle this ghostly creature presents, consider employing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their type, such as Doom Blade or Murder. These are efficient ways to handle Keening Apparition before it has the chance to dismantle your enchantment-based strategy.
Moreover, opting for counter spells like Cancel or Essence Scatter can prevent Keening Apparition from hitting the battlefield in the first place, keeping your enchantments safe. Battle tactics such as making sure you have a mix of instant-speed responses in your deck can give you the versatility to manage threats at the opportune moment. It’s also prudent to keep an eye on timing, as removing the Apparition in response to another player’s spells can sometimes be more beneficial than a straightforward elimination.
Ultimately, understanding the tempo and strategic depth that Keening Apparition introduces to Magic the Gathering will guide players to victory, ensuring that disrupting enchantments becomes a problem of the past.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Keening Apparition MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Keening Apparition and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Keening Apparition Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 12 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tran Nguyen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Keening Apparition has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |