Stonehorn Chanter MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Rhino Cleric |
| Released | 2013-07-19 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2014 |
| Set code | M14 |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 39 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Raymond Swanland |
Key Takeaways
- Activating at instant speed, Stonehorn Chanter affords significant tactical flexibility during gameplay.
- Its potential for card advantage is substantial, with life-gain abilities that can stabilize in lengthy duels.
- Resource acceleration indirectly benefits as Stonehorn Chanter’s life boost allows focused mana investments elsewhere.
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.
Text of card
: Stonehorn Chanter gains vigilance and lifelink until end of turn. (Attacking doesn't cause it to tap. Damage dealt by it also causes you to gain that much life.)
With the Stonehorn, piety and power are one.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stonehorn Chanter has the potential to swing a match in your favor by offering repeated life gain with its activated ability. This can lead to gaining substantial card advantage in longer matches where board stability allows for gradual value accrual.
Resource Acceleration: While Stonehorn Chanter itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its sustainable life-gain can indirectly lead to acceleration by enabling you to prioritize mana resources for other strategic plays, knowing that your life total is fortified.
Instant Speed: Stonehorn Chanter’s ability can be activated at instant speed, which allows for strategic flexibility. You can end your turn without using mana and activate the ability in response to an opponent’s move or during their end step, keeping your options open and forcing your adversary to play around your untapped mana and potential plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Stonehorn Chanter doesn’t directly demand a discard, the need to maintain a hand sufficient to capitalize on its abilities can sometimes feel like an implicit discard requirement. When you’re trying to hold on to enough cards to ensure you have options for Stonehorn Chanter’s activation, each card played becomes a heavier decision, which could potentially limit your gameplay flexibility.
Specific Mana Cost: Stonehorn Chanter requires a precise combination of mana, including both white and generic mana. This commitment can constrain deck-building options and potentially slow down your game as you work to meet its mana requirements. Furthermore, in a fast-paced match, the need to tap multiple lands for a single creature card like Stonehorn Chanter could put you at a disadvantage.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its ability tucked behind a six-mana activation cost—four of which are generic, and two white—Stonehorn Chanter requires a sizable investment before you reap the benefits of its lifelink or vigilance abilities. In an environment where lower-cost creatures can provide similar advantages or where tempo plays a crucial role, the Chanter’s steep activation cost could be a potential stumbling block for players looking to optimize their mana usage.
Reasons to Include Stonehorn Chanter in Your Collection
Versatility: Stonehorn Chanter is a unique addition to any MTG deck that appreciates flexibility. Its ability to gain multiple types of keywords allows it to adapt to various board states, making it a relevant play whether you’re ahead or behind.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card has significant combo potential. Its lifelink can be the linchpin in a life-gain themed deck, its vigilance can support control strategies, and when paired with equipment or buffs that increase its power, it can be a substantial threat.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta, Stonehorn Chanter’s multifaceted nature allows it to stand against prevalent aggressive strategies. Its ability to gain lifelink can be particularly crucial, offsetting damage and keeping you in the game longer.
How to beat
Successfully tackling the challenge of Stonehorn Chanter in MTG requires a strategic approach. This high mana cost creature card boasts the potent ability to both gain lifelink and become a significant threat with increased power and toughness. Players facing this formidable card must plan carefully, opting for timely removal before Stonehorn Chanter’s abilities shift the game’s momentum.
Removal spells such as Murder or Path to Exile can cleanly answer Stonehorn Chanter before its ability to gain lifelink is activated, effectively neutralizing its presence on the battlefield. Additionally, countering it upon casting proves effective, employing spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to prevent it from ever taking effect. Players may also outpace the Chanter by establishing an aggressive board presence that pressures the opponent, rendering the Chanter’s potential impact too little, too late.
It is essential to be mindful of the lifelink ability, especially in longer games. Devising a plan that incorporates efficient removal, counterspells, or an aggressive strategy can ensure that Stonehorn Chanter doesn’t become the linchpin of your opponent’s victory. An early solution to this creature can be the difference between winning or losing a match in the intricate world of MTG.
Cards like Stonehorn Chanter
In the realm of MTG, Stonehorn Chanter emerges as an intriguing option for life gain and board presence. Comparable to Loxodon Hierarch, the Stonehorn Chanter offers life gain, though Hierarch provides an immediate impact when it enters the battlefield. Both cards cater to a defensive strategy, but the Hierarch brings additional utility with its ability to sacrifice for damage prevention.
Exploring further, we find Wall of Reverence, which shares the Stonehorn Chanter’s life-linking trait, yet it has flying and pairs life gain with the end of turn for potentially higher gains. Centaur Healer is another alternative that swiftly boosts life totals upon arrival, but it lacks the repeatable aspect of the Stonehorn Chanter’s activated ability.
Assessing these alternatives reveals Stonehorn Chanter as a unique blend—its ability to continuously bolster life totals while serving as a formidable blocker makes it a valuable asset in decks built around life gain and board control strategies in MTG.
Cards similar to Stonehorn Chanter by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stonehorn Chanter MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014, 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 Stonehorn Chanter and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stonehorn Chanter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stonehorn Chanter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | Multiple instances of vigilance and lifelink are redundant. There’s usually no reason to activate Stonehorn Chanter’s ability more than once in a single turn. |
