Portent Tracker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Satyr Scout |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 201 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Caroline Gariba |
Text of card
: Untap target land. : Choose target battle. If an opponent protects it, remove a defense counter from it. Otherwise, put a defense counter on it. Activate only as a sorcery.
In the days before the invasion, the symbol of its perpetrator appeared in strange places all across the Multiverse.
Cards like Portent Tracker
Portent Tracker is an intriguing card that players can utilize to scry and plan their moves in Magic: The Gathering. Its capabilities bear resemblance to other cards like Augur of Bolas, which provides a means to look at the top cards of one’s library. However, Portent Tracker goes a step further by allowing the player to potentially draw the card it reveals, providing a direct advantage in card economy, should permanent spells be drawn.
Omenspeaker is another card that facilitates deck manipulation through scrying. While both Omenspeaker and Portent Tracker provide a look into future draws, Omenspeaker lacks the subsequent draw mechanism that makes Portent Tracker more enticing for players seeking both foresight and immediate benefit. Conversely, Portent Tracker requires more mana investment but potentially pays off through targeted card acquisition.
Moreover, it’s worth comparing Sigiled Starfish, aptly nicknamed “Scryfish,” which lets players scry every turn. While it doesn’t offer the potential to draw a card like Portent Tracker, its consistent scry ability makes it a continuous asset on the board. Overall, Portent Tracker’s dual function of scrying followed by an opportunistic draw positions it uniquely within the selection of scrying cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Portent Tracker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Portent Tracker excels in providing additional draw options, allowing players to scry and potentially reveal multiple cards, paving the way for better hand composition and strategic planning.
Resource Acceleration: As a card that can potentially scry multiple times in a game, Portent Tracker can help filter through your deck quickly, efficiently reaching your key spells or land drops, thus keeping your game plan on track without expending additional resources.
Instant Speed: The foresight ability of Portent Tracker operates at instant speed, giving players the flexibility to optimize their turns with thoughtful timing and responsive play, ensuring they never miss a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Portent Tracker requires a card to be discarded whenever its triggered ability is used. This can put the player at a disadvantage by depleting their hand, particularly in situations where maintaining a healthy card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Portent Tracker demands both blue and red mana, which might restrict its integration exclusively to decks that can reliably produce or have access to both colors, potentially excluding it from mono-colored or color-restricted strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to get Portent Tracker on the field and its subsequent triggers involve a relatively high mana cost. When considering the pace of the game and other cards at similar costs, players might find that there are alternatives that can provide similar or better value without the additional discard cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Portent Tracker brings a flexible approach to deck building, fitting comfortably into blue decks that thrive on foreseeing opponents’ plays. Its scry ability enhances the control of your draw, preparing you for upcoming turns.
Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates with strategies that manipulate the top of the library or benefit from scrying. Coupling it with cards that benefit from scry triggers or top-deck knowledge can significantly amplify its utility.
Meta-Relevance: Given its keen ability to anticipate and react to your opponent’s actions, Portent Tracker can be a powerful ally in a meta filled with surprise moves and complex strategies, helping to ensure your responses are timely and effective.
How to beat
Portent Tracker emerges as a card that fosters long-term advantage on the battlefield. Similar to its kin within creature-based utility spells, it thrives on unveiling secrets from your deck. When Portent Tracker predicts correctly, it transforms into a formidable threat that digs further into your deck with each successful guess, both enhancing your hand and sculpting future plays. Its structure contrasts with that of information denial tactics.
To effectively counteract Portent Tracker, gameplay should concentrate on disrupting its predictive nature. Time your removal spells to prevent its transformation or utilize effects that alter the top card of the deck. Bounce spells can reset its progress, buying valuable time. Hand disruption can also prove influential by extracting key cards before Portent Tracker can capitalize on them. Additionally, moving swiftly to pressure your adversary can shift their focus from maximizing Portent Tracker’s abilities to dealing with immediate threats.
Ultimately, while Portent Tracker holds the potential to tilt the scales in your opponent’s favor, a strategic approach centered around disruption and aggression can prevent it from reaching its full potential, maintaining an upper hand in your duels on the fantastical planes of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Portent Tracker MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Portent Tracker and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Portent Tracker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Portent Tracker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | Portent Tracker’s first ability isn’t a mana ability. Notably, it can’t be used while you’re activating an ability or casting a spell. If you plan to use it to produce enough mana to activate an ability or cast a spell, you must do so ahead of time. |