Keeper of the Beasts MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
Released | 1998-06-15 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Exodus |
Set code | EXO |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 2 |
Number | 112 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | rk post |
Text of card
o G, oc T: Put a Beast token into play. Treat this token as a 2/2 green creature. Play this ability only if target opponent controls more creatures than you.
Cards like Keeper of the Beasts
Keeper of the Beasts is a unique creature within Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of utility and animalistic might. Like Voracious Typhon, this green creature brings a significant presence to the battlefield, yet Keeper of the Beasts also allows you to reap the benefits of controlling more creatures than your opponents. Instead of simply growing in strength like the Typhon when escaping from the graveyard, Keeper of the Beasts can consistently generate creature tokens, enhancing both your board state and your strategic options.
Comparably, Master of the Wild Hunt stands as another creature that creates wolf tokens, but it boasts an additional ability to tap those wolves for a cooperative attack. While both cards excel in a token strategy, Keeper of the Beasts is preferable in situations where the number of creatures is pivotal. Lastly, Ant Queen might be considered an analogue, offering the power to create insect tokens at will. It’s versatile but requires mana investment for each token, whereas the Keeper’s ability depends solely on the ebb and flow of creatures across both sides of the field.
Ultimately, while there are multiple creatures within Magic: The Gathering that have similar capabilities to create tokens, Keeper of the Beasts distinguishes itself in how it relates to the creatures around it, providing continuous value under the right circumstances.
Cards similar to Keeper of the Beasts by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Keeper of the Beasts enables you to potentially summon additional creature tokens to your battlefield. This not only increases your board presence but also provides you with a way to maintain or expand your card advantage against the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By creating creature tokens consistently, you can enhance your resource acceleration. These tokens can be utilized for various strategies including powering up convoke spells or being sacrificed for other costs, all of which contribute to escalating your gameplay.
Instant Speed: The ability of Keeper of the Beasts to generate a creature token at instant speed is a tactical advantage. This allows you to wait until the most opportune moment within your opponent’s turn to maximize strategic plays, keeping them on their toes and forcing them to consider an extra threat that can appear at any time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In order to activate Keeper of the Beasts’ ability, you often need to discard other cards to create a creature presence that outnumbers your opponent’s. This can put you at a disadvantage by depleting your hand, especially in the early game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Keeper of the Beasts requires a precise combination of mana, including green, to cast. This demand can limit the card’s flexibility as it fits primarily in green decks or multicolored decks with a green focus, potentially excluding it from a variety of other strategies that do not run green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its 2/3 stat line, Keeper of the Beasts carries a relatively high mana investment upfront. This becomes even more noticeable when you compare it to other three-drop creatures in MTG that can offer immediate board impact or have additional abilities with lower activation costs.
Reasons to Include Keeper of the Beasts in Your Collection
Versatility: Keeper of the Beasts offers a unique flexibility in green creature-based decks, capable of generating a steady stream of creature tokens. This can be particularly useful in decks that thrive on having a large presence on the battlefield, allowing for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: The ability to create creature tokens not only adds to your board presence but also synergizes with numerous other cards and mechanics that reward you for creature spawns. Whether you’re enhancing the number of creatures for a massive overrun or tapping into cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, Keeper of the Beasts can be an integral piece of intricate combo chains.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creatures dictate the pace of the play, Keeper of the Beasts gains prominence. It’s particularly formidable against control decks by replenishing your side of the field after a board wipe, maintaining pressure and constantly demanding answers from your opponent.
How to beat
Keeper of the Beasts is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, playing a strategic role in green decks that focus on creature control. This card can quickly become overwhelming by generating a steady stream of beast tokens, especially in a game where the board state skews towards numerous creatures. To effectively counter Keeper of the Beasts, it’s vital to manage the number of creatures on the battlefield. Removal spells, board wipes, and keeping a minimal creature presence on your side of the field can restrict its token-generating ability.
Control decks have access to a suite of spells that can bypass the creature condition, such as single-target removal like Path to Exile or board clearers like Supreme Verdict, which can sweep the tokens along with the Keeper. Additionally, keeping pressure on your opponent’s life total can force them to use creatures defensively rather than offensively. Cards with exile effects or those preventing token generation can also stifle the Keeper’s potential. In the end, recognizing the pace at which this card can tip the scales is critical. An opportune response to it can mean the difference between victory and being overrun by a beastly army.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Keeper of the Beasts MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Keeper of the Beasts 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Keeper of the Beasts has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keeper of the Beasts card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2009-10-01 | A different opposing player may be targeted each time the ability is activated. |
2009-10-01 | It is only necessary that the condition be true as you activate the ability. The ability will still resolve normally even if the condition is no longer true at that time. |