Benevolent Ancestor MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 3
2017-11-17 - Number 12
2019-11-07 - Number 36
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-12
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Prevents damage at instant speed, adding strategic depth to combat and protection of key board elements.
- Synergy with lifegain and damage prevention strategies, contributing to diverse deck-building opportunities.
- May be less efficient in aggressive decks due to higher mana cost and specific color requirements.
Text of card
Defender (This creature can't attack.) : Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.
Although the door is flimsy and the lock pathetically small, Josuri's family never fears the night outside.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Benevolent Ancestor itself doesn’t directly provide card draw, its ability to protect key creatures or significant permanents can indirectly contribute to maintaining board presence. This protector role helps preserve card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a traditional accelerant, Benevolent Ancestor can be an asset in resource management. By preventing damage to more pivotal creatures, it allows for a more efficient allocation of resources towards offensive strategies rather than defensive recovery.
Instant Speed: The true power of Benevolent Ancestor lies in its ability to use its prevention effect at instant speed. This flexibility means it can dissuade attacks or disrupt combat math, potentially saving crucial creatures during an opponent’s turn without sacrificing your own turn’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Benevolent Ancestor doesn’t require a discard upon casting, its abilities might not compensate for a card slot if your hand is already supporting a specific strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white mana and generic mana, Benevolent Ancestor may not comfortably fit into multicolored decks that can’t consistently produce white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card primarily focused on defense, Benevolent Ancestor’s mana cost might be on the higher side, especially when quicker, more aggressive strategies are considered.
Reasons to Include Benevolent Ancestor in Your Collection
Versatility: Benevolent Ancestor’s ability to prevent damage makes it a useful card across a variety of deck types. Its defensive capability is valuable not just for creature-based strategies but also for control or life-gain decks, ensuring your key pieces remain protected.
Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with cards that respond to damage prevention or lifegain. In combinations, Benevolent Ancestor can repeatedly be used to safeguard combo pieces or to incrementally advance your board state without drawing unwanted attention.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive strategies, Benevolent Ancestor provides a persistent line of defense. Its ability to prevent damage every turn makes it relevant, especially in formats where combat damage can decide the outcome of matches.
How to beat
Benevolent Ancestor stands out as a defensive staple in deck construction due to its ability to prevent damage from sources players choose. This card might seem daunting to overcome, but there are effective strategies to neutralize its influence on the game. Creatures with trample, for instance, can prove to be potent, as they allow you to push through the prevented damage and still deal some blows to your opponent or their creatures. Additionally, employing spells that can remove creatures without inflicting damage, such as those resulting in exile or sacrificing, can bypass Benevolent Ancestor’s ability altogether.
Another approach is to take advantage of enchantment removals or board wipes that clear the field regardless of individual abilities. For players facing a Benevolent Ancestor, emphasizing card versatility and having a few ace cards that offer solutions outside of combat damage are key. By including such cards in your deck, you not only prepare for Benevolent Ancestor but also enhance your deck’s resilience against a diverse set of threats.
Ultimately, while Benevolent Ancestor provides a sturdy defense, a well-constructed deck with multifaceted removal options will have the tools needed to triumph over this protective force on the battlefield.
Cards like Benevolent Ancestor
Benevolent Ancestor stands as a reliable defensive creature in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship can be seen with cards like Guard Gomazoa, which also provides a defensive advantage without the capacity to do harm. However, the Ancestor’s value increases with its ability to shield not just from creatures but from sources of damage across the board. This versatile damage prevention capability distinguishes it from the more limited, creature-focused defense Guard Gomazoa offers.
Looking into the realm of damage prevention, we encounter the spell Holy Day, which for a single white mana forestalls all combat damage for a turn. Yet, the significance of Benevolent Ancestor lies in its ongoing ability to intervene turn after turn. Then there’s Alabaster Mage, a creature that shares the ability to prevent damage but doubles as a life-gaining asset when mana is invested. Nevertheless, Benevolent Ancestor demands less hustle for its utility, working without extra mana once on the field.
When evaluating the nuances of damage prevention in this beloved collectible card game, Benevolent Ancestor presents an enduring protective presence—a trait that steadfast MTG players might find echoes their strategic defense on many a battleground.
Cards similar to Benevolent Ancestor by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Benevolent Ancestor MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Iconic Masters, 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 Benevolent Ancestor and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Benevolent Ancestor Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Nick Percival.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nick Percival | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nick Percival | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nick Percival | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | IMA-12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nick Percival |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Benevolent Ancestor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Benevolent Ancestor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-11-17 | If the target would be dealt damage by multiple sources at once, that player or that permanent’s controller chooses one of those sources at the time damage would be dealt, and 1 of that damage from that source is prevented. |
