Orzhov Advokist MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Advisor
Power 1
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Orzhov Advokist provides not just card advantage but also dictates game tempo through strategic creature boosts.
  2. The card’s need for specific mana and discard mechanics presents deck-building challenges but offers strong synergy.
  3. Effective against Orzhov Advokist: well-timed removal spells and strategic refusal of offered creature buffs.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, each player may put two +1/+1 counters on a creature he or she controls. If a player does, creatures that player controls can't attack you or a planeswalker you control until your next turn.

The Orzhov care not for repentance, only repayment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Orzhov Advokist presents an interesting dynamic in gameplay by offering opponents a choice that can ultimately benefit you. By allowing your opponents to put two +1/+1 counters on a creature they control during their upkeep, you create a scenario where you can gain valuable card advantage. If your opponents choose not to, you maintain board state equality; if they do, you get to accumulate resources while they extend themselves into a potentially vulnerable position.

Resource Acceleration: While the Orzhov Advokist itself may not directly ramp your mana resources, the control it gives you in the flow of the game can lead to indirect acceleration. A key strategy is to use the temporary peace afforded by the Advokist to develop your mana base and establish other synergistic pieces on the board. This sets you up for a robust late game where you can leverage other cards for an overwhelming advantage.

Instant Speed: Although the Orzhov Advokist operates at sorcery speed, it can influence the pace of the game at instant speed indirectly. By deterring attacks and encouraging opponents to build their creatures, you’re effectively dictating the tempo of combat. This, in turn, allows you to respond more effectively with your own instant speed spells, knowing your opponents are likely committing resources to beefing up their creatures thanks to the Advokist’s ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orzhov Advokist may force you to employ strategies around discard mechanics that may not always align with your game plan, potentially resulting in a suboptimal play to meet the card’s conditions.

Specific Mana Cost: The inclusion of white and black mana in Orzhov Advokist’s casting cost necessitates a two-color deck commitment, which could restrict deck-building flexibility and consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana value, some players might consider the initial investment for the card’s ability to be steep relative to other cards with similar or more immediate impacts on the game.


Reasons to Include Orzhov Advokist in Your Collection

Versatility: Orzhov Advokist is a card that seamlessly fits into various deck archetypes, notably in commander and multiplayer formats. Its ability to bolster creatures while navigating political aspects of the game makes it an exceptional addition to any white and black deck.

Combo Potential: This card allows players to experiment with counter-based synergies, combining with proliferate mechanisms or with cards that benefit from having numerous +1/+1 counters, thereby creating powerful board states that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature strategies are prevalent, Orzhov Advokist thrives by enhancing your creatures and diplomatically influencing combat decisions each turn. Its relevance grows in metas that favor established board presence and incremental advantage.


How to Beat

Orzhov Advokist presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This creature card from the realm of Magic: The Gathering encourages players to think strategically due to its ability to strengthen opposing creatures in exchange for peace. This ability can pose a genuine predicament as it may turn your opponent’s creatures into substantial threats over time.

The key to outmaneuvering Orzhov Advokist lies in timing and the clever use of removal spells. Since the card gives you a window of opportunity where your opponent’s creatures can’t attack you, it’s best to use this time to set up your board and find an efficient way to eliminate the buffed enemies. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are excellent tools for dealing with the powered-up threats directly. Alternatively, board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field, nullifying the long-term buildup of power Orzhov Advokist provides.

Your strategy can also involve declining the counters from Orzhov Advokist’s ability, especially if you have a tactical advantage or superior creatures. By weaving together smart plays and efficient removal, you can navigate around the benefits Orzhov Advokist brings to your adversary and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depth of MTG shines when cards like Orzhov Advokist take center stage. Rising to the challenge it presents requires a combination of savvy play and deck optimization. As we’ve explored, the Advokist is more than a mere creature; it’s a nuanced game piece that can shape the battlefield to your advantage. If you’re drawn to the intricate dance of MTG politics and incremental advantages, integrating the Advokist into your deck could open new pathways to victory. Keen to push the limits of your strategic capacity and explore fresh synergies with this card? Dive deeper with us and unlock the full potential of Orzhov Advokist in your collection, navigating the delicate balance of power and diplomacy that MTG affords.


Cards like Orzhov Advokist

Orzhov Advokist is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, finding its niche among white creature spells that emphasize board politics. Unique in its ability to beef up opposing creatures with +1/+1 counters during your upkeep, it’s reminiscent of cards like Kazandu Tuskcaller. Though Kazandu Tuskcaller doesn’t interact with opponent’s creatures, it also focuses on counters, but with a different end—creating Elephant tokens.

Another card worth comparing is Generous Patron, which shares the theme of bolstering others and reaping the rewards. Generous Patron lets you support other creatures as well, but with the bonus of drawing a card when you do. While the Patron influences the board immediately, Orzhov Advokist leans toward a long-term strategic edge. Felidar Sovereign provides an alternative angle, a creature that can end the game if you have high-enough life but doesn’t directly interact with other creatures’ sizes.

In evaluating cards with a tactic of enhancing creatures, Orzhov Advokist stands out for those players who enjoy delicate balance and diplomacy in gameplay. Its unique ability to curry favor with an opponent while setting the stage for strategic advantage makes it a card that deserves consideration in specific MTG deck builds.

Kazandu Tuskcaller - MTG Card versions
Generous Patron - MTG Card versions
Felidar Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Kazandu Tuskcaller - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Generous Patron - Battlebond (BBD)
Felidar Sovereign - Resale Promos (PRES)

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Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
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Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Snow Hound - Ice Age (ICE)
Elvish Healer - Ice Age (ICE)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Stern Marshal - Portal (POR)
Soltari Crusader - Tempest (TMP)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Sanctum Prelate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orzhov Advokist MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2016 and Treasure Chest, 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 Orzhov Advokist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Orzhov Advokist Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2016-11-11 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-11Commander 2016C16 32015normalblackJason A. Engle
22016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 32015normalblackJason A. Engle
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 342015normalblackJason A. Engle
42020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 352015normalblackJason A. Engle
52021-04-23Commander 2021C21 992015normalblackJason A. Engle
62021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 912015normalblackJason A. Engle
72022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 2072015normalblackJason A. Engle
82024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 772015normalblackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orzhov Advokist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-11-10 If a player chooses to accept Orzhov Advokist's gift, that player can't attack you or a planeswalker you control with any creatures during their next turn, even creatures that weren't on the battlefield as Orzhov Advokist's ability resolved.
2020-11-10 Orzhov Advokist's ability doesn't target the creatures that receive +1/+1 counters. Their controllers choose them as the ability resolves. Players can't take actions between making their choices and the +1/+1 counters being placed.
2020-11-10 Orzhov Advokist's effect keeps creatures from attacking you even if Orzhov Advokist leaves the battlefield, if the creature that received counters is no longer on the battlefield, or if an effect has moved those counters off of the creature that received them and put them onto another creature.
2020-11-10 While resolving Orzhov Advokist's ability, you choose a creature you control or choose not to put any counters on a creature, then each other player in turn order does the same. Each player will know the choices made by players who chose before them. Then simultaneously each player who chose a creature puts two +1/+1 counters on the creature they chose.

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