Preacher of the Schism MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 367
2023-11-17 - Number 113
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Cleric |
| Abilities | Deathtouch |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Deathtouch Whenever Preacher of the Schism attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, create a 1/1 white Vampire creature token with lifelink. Whenever Preacher of the Schism attacks while you have the most life or are tied for most life, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Cards like Preacher of the Schism
Preacher of the Schism is a captivating addition to the suite of white creatures in Magic: The Gathering that enhance player strategies. It mirrors the functionality of renowned cards like Benalish Marshal, which also provides a buff to other creatures you control. The key difference lies in Preacher of the Schism’s specialized boon for those with vigilance, tailoring it towards decks that capitalize on defensive tactics while maintaining offensive pressure.
In line with creatures that offer supportive auras, we encounter cards like Heliod, Sun-Crowned. This particular deity brings a flexible advantage by not only strengthening other creatures but also vested with the ability to convert life gain into permanent power increases. While not limited to vigilance-bearers, it shares Preacher of the Schism’s trait of rewarding specific creature-types, in this case, providing incremental growth for each instance of life gain.
Analyzing Preacher of the Schism in the broader context of white cards that bolster your board, it stands as a notable option. Its synergy with vigilant creatures lends itself well to decks that value readiness on both offense and defense, establishing its niche within the myriad of creature support in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Preacher of the Schism by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Preacher of the Schism. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Midrange | Standard | Esper Midrange | Standard League 2024-05-19 |
 | Rakdos Vampires | Pioneer | Rakdos Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-19 |
 | Golgari Midrange | Standard | Golgari Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Standard | Rakdos Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
 | Dimir Midrange | Standard | Dimir Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Preacher of the Schism provides a unique benefit by letting you sift through your deck, enabling a strategic approach to upcoming plays. This helps you maintain a strong hand as the match progresses.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially untapping lands or offering other resource manipulation, this card can lead to unexpected plays and enhance your board position faster than usual.
Instant Speed: As an instant speed spell, Preacher of the Schism provides the versatility to react swiftly to your opponent’s actions, making it a valuable asset for controlling the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the thrills of deck building, players of MTG must note that Preacher of the Schism necessitates the discard of a card to activate its influential ability. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling, ultimately reducing your strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: The Preacher of the Schism’s casting prerequisites are stringent, requiring a precise blend of mana that may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored or mana-flexible decks. This can be a limitation for players who relish in the versatility of their deck’s mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the mana economy always at the forefront of strategy, the mana investment for Preacher of the Schism is noteworthy. Competing options within the game might give a player more immediate impact or value at a lower mana threshold, pushing the Preacher to the sidelines in decks focused on efficiency.
Reasons to Include Preacher of the Schism in Your Collection
Versatility: Preacher of the Schism offers a unique flexibility in gameplay, able to seamlessly integrate into various deck styles. It thrives in environments where enchantment synergies or control elements are prevalent.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with decks that capitalize on creature-based strategies. Its ability to potentially manipulate opponents’ creatures opens the door to a plethora of combo possibilities, making it a tactical addition to decks that focus on such interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent strategies, Preacher of the Schism can be particularly effective in a meta that heavily favors creature-centric decks. It has the power to shift the dynamics of the battlefield, providing a strategic edge.
How to beat
Preacher of the Schism presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in the world of MTG. As a card that offers strategic advantages through religious fervor, it can quickly become a threat with its ability to sway opponents’ creatures to your side of the field. Nevertheless, there are efficient ways to mitigate its influence.
One approach involves using instant-speed removal spells to dispatch the Preacher before it can activate its persuasive power. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently eliminate this threat at low mana costs. Another tactic is to focus on building a board presence that is resistant to control-changing abilities. This can be achieved by employing hexproof creatures or by playing cards that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn, thereby protecting them from being usurped by the Preacher of the Schism’s effect.
Overall, while the Preacher poses a noteworthy challenge, astute players can navigate around this obstacle with careful planning and responsive play. By prioritizing threat removal or developing a robust board state, you can uphold control and prevent your opponent from exploiting the Preacher’s ability to alter the course of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Preacher of the Schism MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Preacher of the Schism and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Preacher of the Schism Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 367 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Preacher of the Schism has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Preacher of the Schism card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | If you are tied for most life and Preacher of the Schism attacks another player who is tied for most life, both its middle and its last ability will trigger. |
| 2023-11-10 | Once Preacher of the Schism's middle ability triggers, it doesn't matter what happens to players' life totals before the ability resolves. You'll create a Vampire token even if the player Preacher of the Schism attacked doesn't have the most life as the ability resolves. |
| 2023-11-10 | Preacher of the Schism's middle ability triggers only if it attacks a player. It won't trigger if Preacher of the Schism attacks a planeswalker or battle, no matter what its controller's life total is. |
| 2023-11-10 | Similarly, once Preacher of the Schism's last ability triggers, it doesn't matter what happens to players' life totals before the ability resolves. You'll draw a card and lose 1 life even if you don't have the most life as the ability resolves. |