Sentry Oak MTG Card


Sentry Oak - Lorwyn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Treefolk Warrior
Abilities Clash,Defender
Released2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameLorwyn
Set codeLRW
Power 3
Toughness 5
Number38
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byWarren Mahy

Key Takeaways

  1. Sentry Oak can significantly bolster hand size, ensuring more strategic options each turn and a fuller grip.
  2. While offering instant-speed responses, the card’s specific mana requirements may limit deck inclusion.
  3. Its ability to empower other units makes Sentry Oak a versatile pick, fitting into various deck strategies.

Text of card

Defender At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may clash with an opponent. If you win, Sentry Oak gets +2/+0 and loses defender until end of turn. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of his or her library, then puts that card on the top or bottom. A player wins if his or her card had a higher converted mana cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sentry Oak provides players with the ability to grow their hand by drawing cards each time a condition is met. This consistent card advantage can be a game-changer, as it enables you to have more options every turn and potentially outpace your opponent with a wealth of resources at your disposal.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Sentry Oak give an edge in hand size, but it may also contribute to ramping up your mana resources. Every instance of its interaction with other cards or abilities that trigger its effect can be the stepping stone you need to deploy heavy-hitters or crucial spells ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: The ability for any abilities linked to Sentry Oak to operate at instant speed is invaluable. It provides strategic flexibility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn or at the end of it, keeping them guessing and forcing them to play around an ever-present threat that can alter the board state on a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While playing Sentry Oak, the need to discard a card can pose a challenge, particularly when your hand is already depleted. This downside forces you to make difficult decisions about resource management, which can hinder your strategy if not timed well.

Specific Mana Cost: Sentry Oak’s mana cost demands a specific arrangement of mana types, necessitating a reliable source of both green and white mana. This may restrict the card’s inclusion in decks, as you must have a mana base that can support these requirements consistently to play the card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its overall impact on the game, Sentry Oak’s mana value may be considered steep. This is especially noteworthy when compared to other creatures in its mana range, which sometimes offer either immediate value upon entering the battlefield or have more formidable stats or abilities.


Reasons to Include Sentry Oak in Your Collection

Versatility: Sentry Oak is a robust addition to any deck that leverages creatures with vigilance. Its ability to bolster other units makes it a flexible card suitable for various strategies aimed at both offensive and defensive plays.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, the card becomes indispensable in combos centered around vigilance, effectively turning it into a tactical asset within creature-heavy and control decks. Its power can increase exponentially with synergistic cards that reward you for having multiple creatures with vigilance.

Meta-Relevance: As the game shifts and adapts, the significance of creature-based decks can surge. The Sentry Oak thrives in an environment where maintaining a presence on the board is critical – a factor that can decisively sway the outcome in such meta conditions.


How to beat

Sentry Oak presents a unique challenge on the battlefield as a defender with the ability to influence the board state in MTG. Its capability to distribute +1/+1 counters when casting large spells makes it an intimidating presence, especially in decks that harness the power of big mana spells. To effectively counter Sentry Oak, focus on removal spells that can bypass its potential growth. Consider using spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can remove the Oak before it becomes a significant threat.

Another strategy is employing cards with flying or reach to avoid Sentry Oak’s ground-based defense stance. Cards that offer direct damage, such as Lightning Bolt or Shocks, can also be useful, providing a way to control the creature without having to confront it in combat. Lastly, don’t overlook the value of enchantments like Pacifism or board clears like Wrath of God to negate its increasing influence. By understanding its strengths and deploying timely counters, you can ensure Sentry Oak doesn’t root itself too deeply on the field.


Cards like Sentry Oak

Sentry Oak stands tall in the world of creature spells in MTG, nestled comfortably within the realm of sturdy defenders. This card shares traits with other vigilant protectors such as Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms—both famed for their defensive capabilities. Sentry Oak differentiates itself with its ability to strengthen over time, allowing it to surpass the static nature of these walls which merely block and draw a card.

Another analog to Sentry Oak is the Ageless Sentinels. While both have the initial guise of defense, Sentry Oak has the potential to evolve into a more formidable creature, much unlike the Ageless Sentinels which retains its defensive posture. Sentry Oak’s dynamic nature allows it to shift from a passive to a proactive role on the battleground.

Exploring these comparisons, Sentry Oak is a versatile choice for players who appreciate creatures that grow stronger with the flow of the game. Its capacity to transition from a shield to a sword gives it a unique edge in player decks, drawing attention to its sleeper potential within MTG’s multifaceted gameplay.

Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Ageless Sentinels - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Wall of Blossoms - Stronghold (STH)
Ageless Sentinels - Scourge (SCG)

Cards similar to Sentry Oak by color, type and mana cost

Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Glory - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Rashida Scalebane - Mirage (MIR)
Avenging Angel - Tempest (TMP)
Lancers en-Kor - Stronghold (STH)
Radiant, Archangel - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Karmic Guide - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Master Healer - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Angel of Mercy - The List (PLST)
Serra Angel - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Border Patrol - Judgment (JUD)
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Sigardian Savior - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Glory - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Celestial Gatekeeper - Legions (LGN)
Collector Protector - Unhinged (UNH)
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - Saviors of Kamigawa Promos (PSOK)
Belfry Spirit - Guildpact (GPT)
Petra Sphinx - Masters Edition (ME1)
Barrenton Medic - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Ivory Gargoyle - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sentry Oak MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Sentry Oak and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sentry Oak has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sentry Oak card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2007-10-01 Specifically, this ability triggers when the beginning of combat step starts during your turn.

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