Leonin Lightbringer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Rebel |
| Abilities | Ward |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ernanda Souza |
Text of card
Ward (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .) As long as Leonin Lightbringer is equipped, it gets +1/+1.
"It's hard to fight for the future if you can't see the way forward."
Cards like Leonin Lightbringer
Leonin Lightbringer emerges as a unique piece in the puzzle of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It stands in the company of other formidable creatures such as Silverblade Paladin. Where the Paladin shines with its soulbond ability granting double strike to itself and another creature, Leonin Lightbringer brings its own flair to the battlefield with lifelink, fortifying your life total with each assault.
Another peer in this realm is the Ajani’s Pridemate, a card that grows stronger with each instance of life gain. While Pridemate demands a build-up to become a substantial threat, Leonin Lightbringer offers immediate board presence and defense with its lifelink capability. Oreskos Swiftclaw also casts a shadow in this comparison, boasting a robust power for its cost but lacking any additional abilities to bolster its standing against Leonin Lightbringer’s multifaceted approach to combat and sustain.
When weighing Leonin Lightbringer against its peers, its balance of lifegain and cost efficiency makes it a strong contender. While it may not offer the exponential growth of Pridemate or the potential for double strike like Silverblade Paladin, its steadfast presence and immediate combat benefits mark its value in the pantheon of MTG’s creature cards.
Cards similar to Leonin Lightbringer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Leonin Lightbringer brings value to the board by potentially disrupting your opponent’s hand, removing key threats early in the game. This could lead to a significant card advantage as your opponent will have fewer options to respond to your plays.
Resource Acceleration: With its streamlined mana cost, Leonin Lightbringer can hit the battlefield quickly, allowing you a cost-effective creature that can enable more significant plays earlier. In decks that value the proliferation of creatures, it can be a vital piece for ramping up your board presence.
Instant Speed: Although the Leonin Lightbringer is a creature, it supports instant speed spells in your arsenal by offering a vigilant body that is always ready to attack or defend. This allows you to keep mana available for other instant speed interactions while maintaining a solid defense or pressure on your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Leonin Lightbringer offers valuable combat enhancements, it comes with the stipulation that you must discard a card to activate its ability. This condition can place you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when your hand is dwindling and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Leonin Lightbringer, you need both white mana and another type of mana, which can sometimes be a hindrance. If you’re running a mono-white deck, the flexibility of spending any mana is not an issue, but in multi-colored decks, this requirement can hamper your ability to play other spells with more demanding mana needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As an inclusion in your deck, Leonin Lightbringer might not always be the most mana-efficient option. Its abilities, while potentially game-changing, come at a relatively high mana cost. In a fast-paced game, utilizing Leonin Lightbringer effectively takes careful planning and may not always align with the speed of your deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include Leonin Lightbringer in Your Collection
Versatility: Leonin Lightbringer’s adaptability makes it a staple addition across various deck types and playstyles. Its low casting cost allows it to seamlessly fit into your early game strategy while providing consistent board presence.
Combo Potential: With abilities that can interact favorably with other cards, Leonin Lightbringer can serve as a key piece in synergistic combos, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities of your deck.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the creature-heavy format of many current MTG games, having Leonin Lightbringer can give players an edge, offering strategic removal options and maintaining equilibrium on the battlefield.
How to beat
Leonin Lightbringer poses a unique challenge on the battlefield for MTG enthusiasts. This formidable creature card offers both a strong presence and a useful ability that can disrupt your opponent’s plans. The key to outmaneuvering a Leonin Lightbringer lies in neutralizing its abilities before it can become a significant threat. Utilizing removal spells that target creatures such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can effectively take it off the board.
Alternatively, cards that lower a creature’s power and toughness, like Dismember or Grasp of Darkness, can diminish Leonin Lightbringer’s effectiveness without the need for direct removal. In a pinch, combat tricks or temporary solutions, such as Unsummon or Frost Breath, can buy you the time needed to find a more permanent answer to this leonine challenger. Control decks that can handle creatures before they become troublesome also fare well against Leonin Lightbringer by preventing it from establishing board control in the first place.
Understanding your deck’s strengths and having the right answers at the right time are crucial in countering the threat of Leonin Lightbringer. Keep your focus, control the pace, and you’ll light the way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leonin Lightbringer MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Leonin Lightbringer 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 Leonin Lightbringer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |