Cleric of the Forward Order MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 10
2023-01-13 - Number 3
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Cleric of the Forward Order provides a life gain boost with potential for card advantage in MTG.
- Resource acceleration and instant-speed play complement strategic deck construction and gameplay tempo.
- Mana specificity and competitive alternatives may limit its inclusion in some MTG deck builds.
Text of card
When Cleric of the Forward Order enters the battlefield, you gain 2 life for each creature you control named Cleric of the Forward Order.
War after war, a healer's enemy is always the same—death itself.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Cleric of the Forward Order enters the battlefield, its triggered ability allows you to gain life for each card with the same name in your graveyard. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as it helps maintain your life total, keeping you in the game longer and allowing you to see more cards.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Cleric might not directly provide mana, having a stable life total can be pivotal for resource acceleration. It allows you to use life as a resource more freely, unlocking the full potential of spells or abilities that require life payments.
Instant Speed: While Cleric of the Forward Order is not an instant itself, it can be a vital part of decks that operate at instant speed. It’s a valuable card to cast following an opponent’s end step or during your main phase after holding up mana for instant-speed interaction, thus contributing to a strategy that keeps opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Cleric of the Forward Order doesn’t directly involve a discard mechanic, but in MTG, card advantage is critical. Any creature without an immediate impact or enduring value could be considered a liability if it ends up being a card discarded to effects or costs of other spells.
Specific Mana Cost: As a creature that requires white mana, Cleric of the Forward Order fits primarily into white or multicolored decks. This specific mana cost can restrict deck-building options, particularly for formats that highly value mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two white mana, it might seem reasonable; however, in a fast-paced game, there are other two-mana creatures and spells with potentially more impactful abilities or better stats. In competitive play, this can make Cleric of the Forward Order less favorable when optimizing deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cleric of the Forward Order slots well into various deck styles, especially those centered around life gain strategies or a Cleric tribal theme. Its ability to gain life upon entering the battlefield makes it a multipurpose choice for enduring long games and solidifying board presence.
Combo Potential: With each copy of Cleric of the Forward Order you play, the life gained increases exponentially. This synergy can be leveraged to empower cards that thrive on life changes, enabling potent combinations and interactions within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that features aggressive decks, this card provides an invaluable buffer, offsetting early damage and keeping you stable as you move toward your win conditions. Its immediate impact upon casting helps it maintain relevance in ever-evolving meta scenarios.
How to beat
Cleric of the Forward Order is a valuable creature card in MTG known for its life-gain ability that triggers whenever another Cleric enters the battlefield under your control, bolstering your health total. Despite its supportive role in a life-gain strategy, this creature can be dealt with effectively using various tactics.
To counteract the potential for substantial life gain, consider using removal spells that can bypass the Cleric’s ability, such as those that exile it from the battlefield. Spells like “Swords to Plowshares” or “Path to Exile” are reliable options since they remove the Cleric before it can contribute significantly to the life total. Board wipes such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can also clear the board of multiple Clerics at once, negating the incremental advantage they provide. Additionally, employing graveyard disruption tools, like “Rest in Peace” or “Scavenging Ooze,” can prevent any recursive strategies that might include the Cleric, ensuring your opponent doesn’t gain repeated value from it.
In essence, the key to overcoming the life-gain advantage provided by Cleric of the Forward Order is to preemptively manage the board and employ targeted removal. By doing so, you can maintain control and mitigate the benefits the Cleric would otherwise afford its controller.
Cards like Cleric of the Forward Order
Cleric of the Forward Order is a dynamic creature card utilized by MTG players who value life gain mechanics. It shares the battlefield with Soulmender, which also has a life gain ability. While Soulmender allows players to gain 1 life each turn, Cleric of the Forward Order grants 2 life immediately upon entry and scales with each identical card on the battlefield. This can lead to significant life swings, particularly useful in white aggro or midrange decks.
Another card in direct competition is the Lone Missionary. Upon entering the battlefield, it offers an immediate 4-life boost, eclipsing the base gain of Cleric of the Forward Order. The trade-off lies in Lone Missionary’s lack of synergy with other similar cards; it doesn’t grow in capability the way the Cleric can with multiple copies.
Ultimately, Cleric of the Forward Order earns its place in MTG decks that are centered around life gain and repeated board presence. It may not deliver as high an initial life gain as Lone Missionary, but its potential to provide repetitive and increased benefits as the game progresses can be a game-changer in the right strategy.
Cards similar to Cleric of the Forward Order by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cleric of the Forward Order MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Dominaria Remastered, 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 Cleric of the Forward Order 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 Magic products
Printings
The Cleric of the Forward Order Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 10 | 2015 | normal | black | Chris Rallis | |
| 2 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 3 | 2015 | normal | black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cleric of the Forward Order has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cleric of the Forward Order card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | Count the number of creatures named Cleric of the Forward Order you control as the ability resolves to determine how much life you gain. If the Cleric of the Forward Order with the ability that triggered is still on the battlefield, it will count itself. |
