Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate MTG Card
2020-09-25 - Number 226s
2020-09-25 - Number 226
2020-09-25 - Number 226p
2020-09-25 - Number 368
2002-06-24 - Number 83814
2020-09-26 - Number ZNR-226
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Angel Wizard |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you have a full party, choose target nonland permanent an opponent controls. Until your next turn, it can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be activated. Sacrifice Linvala: Choose hexproof or indestructible. Creatures you control gain that ability until end of turn.
Cards like Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate
Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate serves as an intriguing linchpin in creature-focused decks for Magic: The Gathering aficionados. The versatility of this formidable card puts it on par with other favored protective creatures such as Siren Stormtamer. Linvala excels in sheltering your squad from harm with her ability to grant indestructibility at a crucial moment, similar to Stormtamer’s sacrifice to counter a spell or ability that targets you or a creature you control.
We can also draw parallels with Selfless Spirit, which provides a similar one-time protection effect, except Linvala’s condition to kick the spell adds a layer of strategic depth and potential board impact. In comparison to these cards, Linvala offers a broader defensive scope with her capacity to protect multiple creatures, aligning with Selfless Spirit’s ethos but providing recurring utility.
Treading into the leadership archetype, Tazri, Beacon of Unity also resonates as a tribal piece, but Linvala’s ability to cover allies provides an advantage that is both proactive and reactive—crucial for turning the tide of battle. Her role within the MTG realm underscores the importance of tactical defenses, seamlessly integrating with the game’s complex fabric.
Cards similar to Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Selesnya Angels | Pioneer | Bant Angels | BLUE - FRI - 3PM - Chicago Pioneer Cup |
| Bant Angels | Pioneer | Bant Angels | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-11-15 |
 | Bant Tempo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024 | |
| Azorius Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the main strengths of Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate is its capability to offer protection to your other nonland permanents. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as it prevents your opponent from removing your key pieces from the board, thereby maintaining your presence and options in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting mana resources, Linvala’s versatility in the battlefield can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By fostering a board state where your permanents are defended, it allows you to commit more confidently to the board without the fear of setback, effectively speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: The ability of Linvala to be sacrificed at instant speed to give your other nonland permanents hexproof or indestructible until end of turn is crucial. It provides a shield at any point in the game, which can be strategically used to surprise your opponent during their turn, potentially countering their removal spells or disrupting their combat strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate provides valuable protection for your other creatures, it does require you to discard a card if you want to utilize its second ability. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is running low, forcing you to sacrifice crucial resources to shield your board.
Specific Mana Cost: Linvala’s casting cost demands one white and two blue mana, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks that may not always have the necessary mana types available when needed. This makes it less flexible and can potentially delay your game plan.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate may appear fairly priced for its abilities. However, when compared to other creatures in the three mana slot, it might seem costly considering it only offers a 3/3 flying body. Other cards could potentially provide more impact or value for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate in Your Collection
Versatility: Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate offers flexibility as both a protective agent and a political tool in your games. Its ability to shield other creatures from harmful effects or counter targeted spells against them can be vital for tempo and protecting key creatures.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well in decks that are crafted around abilities, with its ability to potentially safeguard a combo from being disrupted by opponents. Its interaction with creatures that have entered the battlefield effects or require protection can be a game-changer.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the various strategies present in the competitive scene, Linvala has its place in formats where protecting valuable creatures or outmaneuvering control strategies is crucial. It stands as a formidable option against numerous decks that rely on targeted removal to disrupt their opponents’ plans.
How to beat
Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate is an intriguing figure in MTG, particularly known for her utility in protecting your other creatures. She acts as a shield, leveraging her abilities to grant indestructible or hexproof when needed. Overcoming her can be crucial for disrupting your opponent’s defenses.
To effectively neutralize Linvala’s protective magic, removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar, can be particularly effective, as they circumvent her ability to grant hexproof. Additionally, spells or abilities that force sacrifices, like Liliana’s Triumph, can prompt an opponent to send Linvala herself to the graveyard, cutting off the protection she provides. Even though Linvala can counter a spell that targets by sacrificing herself, carefully timing your removal spells when your opponent is mana-tapped or has fewer creatures can tilt the balance in your favor.
Ultimately, while Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate serves as a formidable guardian, strategic play and selection of the right removal tools can dismantle the safety net she weaves, giving you the upper hand in your MTG matchups.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising Promos, 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 Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 83814 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | ||
| 2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 226s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 4 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 226p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 5 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 368 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 6 | The List | PLST | ZNR-226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Linvala, Shield of Sea Gate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-09-25 | Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “ -ost: -ffect].” Some keyword abilities (such as equip) are activated abilities and will have a colon in their reminder text. Triggered abilities (starting with “when,” “whenever,” or “at”) are unaffected. |
| 2020-09-25 | An ability referring to the number of creatures in your party gets a number from zero to four. Such abilities never ask which creatures are in your party, and you never have to designate specific creatures as being in your party. You can’t choose to exclude creatures from this count to lower the number. |
| 2020-09-25 | If a creature has more than one party creature type, and there are multiple ways to count that creature that could result in a different number of creatures in your party, the highest such number is used. For example, if you control a Cleric and a Cleric Wizard, the number of creatures in your party is two. You can’t choose to have it be just one by counting the Cleric Wizard first as a Cleric. |
| 2020-09-25 | In a multiplayer game, if you leave the game after Linvala’s middle ability resolves but before your next turn begins, its effect lasts until your next turn would have begun. It neither expires immediately nor lasts indefinitely. |
| 2020-09-25 | Linvala’s middle ability won’t trigger at all if you don’t have a full party as your combat phase begins. It won’t affect the target if you don’t have a full party as it resolves. The number of creatures in your party may change between these times, however. |
| 2020-09-25 | No abilities of the affected permanent can be activated, including mana abilities. |
| 2020-09-25 | Some cards refer to you having a “full party.” This is true if the number of creatures in your party is four. |
| 2020-09-25 | The nonland permanent remains affected until your next turn even if the number of creatures in your party changes or Linvala leaves the battlefield. |
| 2020-09-25 | To determine “the number of creatures in your party,” check whether you control a Cleric, whether you control a Rogue, whether you control a Warrior, and whether you control a Wizard. The number is the total number of those checks to which you answered yes. Each creature you control can be counted for only one of those checks. |