Bladed Sentinel MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Construct
Released	2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin Besieged
Set code	MBS
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	98
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tomasz Jedruszek

Key Takeaways

Bladed Sentinel enhances card value via proliferate, aiding in subtle battlefield dominance.
Vigilance keeps it ready for defense or ability activation after an attack.
While versatile, its specific mana requirements may limit deck integration.

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

: Bladed Sentinel gains vigilance until end of turn.

The Mirran partisans created hundreds of patrol sentinels to divert Phyrexian assaults from the Tangle.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bladed Sentinel’s proliferate mechanic helps you enhance your battlefield presence by incrementing the number of counters on your permanents, subtly tipping the scales in your favor when it comes to card value.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana acceleration, Bladed Sentinel’s vigilance allows it to remain untapped after attacking, effectively conserving resources for defensive maneuvers or the activation of its abilities.

Instant Speed: While Bladed Sentinel operates at sorcery speed, its synergy with instant-speed counter manipulation spells can unexpectedly bolster your board state during an opponent’s turn, aligning with the strategic aspect of timing in gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Bladed Sentinel doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, employing cards that synergize with its abilities might lead to discarding, reducing hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: It requires two generic and one colorless mana which might not seamlessly fit into multicolored mana bases, potentially slowing down your game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a cost of three mana, the Bladed Sentinel’s stats and abilities may not stack up against other options in the same mana range, making it less impactful in certain formats or deck strategies.

Reasons to Include Bladed Sentinel in Your Collection

Versatility: Bladed Sentinel can adapt to different roles on the battlefield. As an artifact creature, it fits well into decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or need strong defenders.

Combo Potential: With its ability to gain vigilance, this card invites creative combinations with cards that utilize tapped and untapped states, thereby offering diverse play options.

Meta-Relevance: Bladed Sentinel stands up to many creature-based strategies with its solid defensive stature, making it a relevant choice in environments where sturdy blockers are valued.

How to beat

Bladed Sentinel stands as an intriguing artifact creature in the realm of MTG, offering players a versatile defender through its vigilance ability when activated. Its four mana cost makes it a mid-game play, stalling opponents with lesser creatures. However, despite its defensive prowess, overcoming Bladed Sentinel isn’t insurmountable.

One of the most straightforward strategies to trump Bladed Sentinel involves using removal spells. Direct damage spells or those that can destroy a creature regardless of its toughness, like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can effectively eliminate it from the battlefield. Another tactic includes employing creatures with flying, as Bladed Sentinel lacks the ability to block aerial threats. Moreover, you can outpace it by building a board presence that overwhelms its singular blocking capability. Utilizing enchantments that neutralize artifact abilities can also render the sentinel harmless, stripping it of any real influence on the game’s outcome.

In essence, while Bladed Sentinel can be a temporary obstacle, a well-prepared strategy focusing on versatility and removal can assure that this sentinel will not stand in the way of victory for long.

Cards like Bladed Sentinel

Bladed Sentinel stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a utility artifact creature with its vigilant nature. Much akin to Bladed Sentinel, Guardians of Meletis offers toughness and artifact creature synergy. While Guardians of Meletis doesn’t boast vigilance, it compensates with a higher toughness, making it a robust blocker in many decks.

Another comparable card, Cathedral Membrane, falls into the same cost range and shares the vigilance trait with Bladed Sentinel. However, Cathedral Membrane provides a unique defensive ability, imposing a damage-dealing effect when blocking. This makes it a deterrent for attackers beyond what Bladed Sentinel can offer. Mobile Garrison is a further parallel, allowing you to untap another target artifact or creature whenever it attacks, echoing the vigilance theme but adding mobility to your board presence.

Assessing the strategic benefits of these artifacts, Bladed Sentinel holds a balance between its vigilance ability and modular use in various MTG artifact-centric decks. Its capability to slot into roles that require untapped blockers or attackers at all times gives it a distinct slot in the Magic: The Gathering meta.

Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bladed Sentinel by color, type and mana cost

Reidane, God of the Worthy // Valkmira, Protector's Shield - MTG Card versions

Prowl, Stoic Strategist // Prowl, Pursuit Vehicle - MTG Card versions

Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield - MTG Card versions

Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bladed Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Bladed Sentinel and other MTG cards: