Priest of Ancient Lore MTG Card


Priest of Ancient Lore grants card draw and life, aiding in both resource management and longevity. Its entrance mimics instant speed benefits, offering tempo by creating immediate in-game value. Versatile and relevant, the Priest supports various strategies and adjusts well to the evolving MTG meta.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dwarf Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Priest of Ancient Lore enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life and draw a card.

"We are a product of our ancestors, the apotheosis of countless noble generations. Speak their names with reverence, and they will guide your path."


Understanding the Value of Priest of Ancient Lore

Priest of Ancient Lore holds its own within the landscape of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. In a close comparison with cards like Elvish Visionary, which similarly allows players to draw a card upon its entry to the battlefield, Priest of Ancient Lore stands out by also offering a bump in life total. While both cards have identical mana value and power/toughness ratio, the life gain is an added bonus that can be crucial in tight game situations.

Cards like Priest of Ancient Lore

Similar in utility to Wall of Omens, Priest of Ancient Lore offers the advantage of not only drawing a card but also being an attacker or blocker that can influence the board’s dynamics. Wall of Omens, while being a strong defender with its 0/4 body, lacks the versatility of the Priest, which can swing in for damage. Then there’s Thraben Inspector; another card that draws upon entering the battlefield. Although the Inspector creates a Clue token, which requires an additional two mana to convert into a card draw, the Priest simplifies the process, making it a more immediate impact play.

In evaluating the comparative strengths, Priest of Ancient Lore presents a compelling choice for players seeking immediate dual utility of replenishing their hand and life total—a distinction making it a valuable component in decks that thrive on longevity and card advantage.

Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Thraben Inspector - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Thraben Inspector - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Priest of Ancient Lore by color, type and mana cost

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Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Priest of Ancient Lore. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
DecklistDecklist Free form79#CS
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange HistoricOtherMTGA Pauper: Historic Pauper Tournament (6 Jan '24)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Priest of Ancient Lore enables you to draw a card upon entering the battlefield, contributing to maintaining a healthy hand size and potentially pulling ahead in resource management.

Resource Acceleration: By providing an additional body on the board upon casting, this creature aids in resource acceleration by contributing to strategies that utilize creature presence for abilities or enhanced spells.

Instant Speed: While Priest of Ancient Lore is not an instant itself, the immediate effect of drawing a card upon its entrance to the battlefield essentially grants you a portion of the benefits that are typically associated with instant speed actions, keeping the tempo in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Priest of Ancient Lore allows you to draw a card, it does not impose a discard requirement. This feature is absent, yet it’s worth noting that cards with benefits such as card draw often come with a balancing discard condition to maintain game equilibrium.

Specific Mana Cost: Priest of Ancient Lore requires both white mana and generic mana for its casting cost, which means that it slots into decks that can produce white mana consistently. This specific requirement can be restrictive for multicolored decks that may struggle with the right mana distribution.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the mana cost in relation to its impact on the game, Priest of Ancient Lore’s cost is on the higher end for its effects. Although it does provide card advantage and a creature presence on the battlefield, there are other creatures in MTG that can offer similar effects at a lower cost, thus making them potentially more mana-efficient choices for deck builders.


Reasons to Include Priest of Ancient Lore in Your Collection

Versatility: Priest of Ancient Lore serves multiple roles in a variety of decks. It provides a beneficial blend of life gain, card draw, and a creature presence on the battlefield, making it a well-rounded choice for decks aiming for value with each play.

Combo Potential: With its ability to draw a card upon entering the battlefield, this card synergizes well with blink or flicker mechanics. It allows for repeated use of its ETB (Enter the Battlefield) effect, which can be key in combo strategies seeking to generate card advantage and incremental life boosts.

Meta-Relevance: In the ever-fluctuating MTG meta, a card like Priest of Ancient Lore remains pertinent due to its lightweight mana cost and immediate impact on the game, providing players with resources against aggressive strategies and bolstering their position in longer, more drawn-out matches.


How to beat

Priest of Ancient Lore is a valuable creature card in MTG that offers players multiple advantages upon entering the battlefield. This card stands out for its ability to draw a card and its life-gain feature, which can enhance your overall game strategy. It’s easy to see why it could be considered a thorn in any opponent’s side, especially when used effectively to maintain card advantage and sustain longevity in the game.

To counteract Priest of Ancient Lore, players should focus on removal spells that can deal with it the moment it hits the board. This prevents the opponent from benefiting from the card draw and life gain. Instant speed removals like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt are perfect for this task, as they can interrupt the synergy and card flow. Also, continually applying pressure and presenting threats that demand an answer can divert attention away from using such creatures optimally. Playing aggressively can often prevent your opponent from gaining the foothold they need with Priest of Ancient Lore.

In essence, staying proactive and being prepared with immediate answers are essential strategies when facing the multifaceted benefits of Priest of Ancient Lore. Manage the board, preserve your removal spells for key targets, and pressure your opponent to prevent them from maximizing the potential of their game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG gameplay hinges on insightful card choices and strategic deck building. Embracing cards like Priest of Ancient Lore not only offers card advantage and life gain but becomes a crucial tactic for sustained board presence. By recognizing and incorporating cards with such on-entry effects, your deck resilience increases against aggressive opponents. With our curated intel on MTG’s ever-evolving meta and card synergies, you’re bound to stay ahead. Dive into thorough analyses and craft your winning strategy with our comprehensive guides. Unearth the nuances of MTG with us and fortify your arsenal for enduring success.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Priest of Ancient Lore MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Priest of Ancient Lore and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Priest of Ancient Lore Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Jarel Threat.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 352015NormalBlackJarel Threat
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7042015NormalBlackJarel Threat
32022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 992015NormalBlackJarel Threat

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Priest of Ancient Lore has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal