Marble Priest MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Cleric
Released	1994-06-01
Set symbol
Set name	Legends
Set code	LEG
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	286
Frame	1993
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Melissa A. Benson

Key Takeaways

Marble Priest provides unique card advantage by exiling opponents’ spells or creatures at instant speed.
While powerful, its ability requires discarding a card, which can be an unfavorable trade-off.
Despite mana constraints, Marble Priest offers versatility and combo potential in creature-centric decks.

Text of card

All walls able to block Marble Priest must do so. Walls able to block more than one creature can still do so. If blocking wall is compelled to block more creatures than it is legally able to, defender chooses which of these attacking creatures to block, but must block as many creatures as it legally can. Damage dealt to Marble Priest from walls during combat is reduced to 0.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Marble Priest offers a unique twist on card advantage by allowing you to potentially exile a critical spell or creature that your opponent controls. While not a traditional draw, it can swing the tide by removing key resources from your opponent’s arsenal, giving you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration in the form of additional mana; however, it could save you mana by effectively dealing with threats without having to cast more expensive spells.

Instant Speed: The great benefit of Marble Priest is that its ability can be activated at instant speed. This feature enables strategic flexibility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn, keeping you one step ahead in the resource management game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Marble Priest comes with a caveat that could hinder your game strategy. Activating its ability requires discarding a card, which might deplete your hand faster than desired. This can be particularly crippling if you’re already in a tight spot with few cards to spare, limiting your ability to respond to opponents’ moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building can often be about flexibility, and the Marble Priest demands a specific mana setup to cast. This particular mana requirement can sometimes clash with a player’s mana base, especially in a multicolored deck, making it less desirable for those who seek a stable mana curve throughout their matches.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the realm of magic where efficiency is key, the Marble Priest’s mana cost can be a stumbling block. Its abilities, while potentially game-changing, come at a significant investment of mana. There are alternative cards with lower costs that could provide similar benefits without as much of a dent in your mana resources, offering a competitive edge against this particular card.

Reasons to Include Marble Priest in Your Collection

Versatility: Marble Priest is adaptable across various deck styles, particularly those that gain an edge from efficient creature abilities and board presence.

Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates into synergies revolving around creature tapping and untapping, offering potential for incredible combos within the right framework.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent plays and enhance your own strategic moves, Marble Priest can be a crucial addition in a meta that leans towards creature-based tactics.

How to beat

The presence of Marble Priest on the battlefield can certainly turn the tides if left unchecked in MTG. As a unique creature, it has the potential to control the flow of the match by utilizing its cleric synergy and life gain attributes. One effective strategy to overcome Marble Priest is to limit its impact by removing it swiftly from the board. Consider employing instant-speed removal spells to catch your opponent off-guard. Cards such as Disenchant or Murder are especially useful here for their ability to target and eliminate key creatures or artifacts efficiently.

Keeping pressure on your opponent is another way to get around the advantages conferred by Marble Priest. Aggressive decks that can outpace the life gain and produce threats faster than the opponent can establish a defensive line will put you in a favorable position. Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of counter spells. Countering Marble Priest before it hits the field ensures you maintain tempo and prevents your opponent from gaining any ground. Cards such as Negate or Cancel can be vital tools in your strategy against such creatures.

To conclude, tackling Marble Priest requires a mix of strategic removal, maintaining offensive pressure, and smart use of counter spells to negate the potentially game-altering effects it possesses. Being prepared for the match-up and knowing when to deploy these tactics is key to mastering MTG gameplay and outmaneuvering your opponent.

Cards like Marble Priest

The Marble Priest card presents its mystical allure in the realm of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. Sitting adjacent in function and flavor to cards like Stonecloaker or Whitemane Lion, this cleric not only offers a sturdy body on the battlefield but also provides a useful ability to influence the game. Unlike its cousins with flash that can be summoned at any time, the Marble Priest requires more strategic timing but compensates with an enchanting effect that can disrupt opponents’ tactics.

Comparatively, Restoration Angel shares the concept of being a guardian creature with a twist. While both impact the board state through their enter-the-battlefield abilities, Restoration Angel allows for the reactivation of other creatures’ abilities and provides a more formidable aerial threat. Marble Priest, in contrast, leans towards a more ground-based strategy with an accent on manipulation over sheer power.

Although not as straightforward in its utility as Mother of Runes, which grants protection to creatures at will, the Marble Priest’s ability to stand resiliently against opponents’ actions carves a unique niche in gameplay, offering strategic advantages in certain deck builds, especially where creatures play a key role in the strategy.

Restoration Angel - Avacyn Restored Promos (PAVR)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Marble Priest MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Marble Priest and other MTG cards: