Reliquary Monk MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Monk Cleric |
| Released | 1999-06-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Destiny |
| Set code | UDS |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 14 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Thomas M. Baxa |
Text of card
When Reliquary Monk is put into a graveyard from play, destroy target artifact or enchantment.
A thing of Serra's realm exists only by the grace of her followers' faith.
Cards like Reliquary Monk
Reliquary Monk is an intriguing creature within the MTG realm, offering a valuable effect on exiting the battlefield by allowing the player to destroy target artifact or enchantment. A parallel can be drawn with cards like Reclamation Sage. Like the Monk, the Sage provides an ability to target and destroy an artifact or enchantment; however, this happens upon entering the battlefield instead of leaving it. This enables players to have immediate impact, rather than waiting for a demise trigger.
Analogously, we can look at cards like Leonin Relic-Warder. This card has a similar targeted removal effect, but it’s temporary — locking away an artifact or enchantment only until the Leonin leaves the field. In contrast, Reliquary Monk’s effect is permanent, offering a lasting solution to threats. Yet another related card is Harmonic Sliver, which mandates artifact or enchantment destruction whenever a Sliver enters the battlefield under your control, offering multiple opportunities for removal if one is running a Sliver deck.
These comparisons help to illustrate how Reliquary Monk fits into the bigger picture of creature-based artifact and enchantment removal in MTG. A permanent solution upon departure from the battlefield has its specific strategic place among other similar options.
Cards similar to Reliquary Monk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Reliquary Monk leaves the battlefield, it offers the valuable utility of removing an enchantment or artifact, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy while keeping your own board state intact. This can lead to significant card advantage if timed correctly, especially in match-ups where key pieces need to be eliminated.
Resource Acceleration: Although Reliquary Monk itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its ability to control the board paves the way for a smoother mana curve and uninterrupted development of your own resources. By targeting essential nonland permanents, you ensure your mana is spent on progressively impactful plays without hindrance.
Instant Speed: While Reliquary Monk’s triggered ability is not at instant speed, the removal effect takes place upon the card exiting the battlefield, which can be orchestrated during your own turn or manipulated within the frame of the opponent’s turn through various MTG mechanisms. This flexibility allows players to maintain the element of surprise and ensures that the Monk’s departure creates an immediate impact on the game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Reliquary Monk provides utility in removing enchantments upon its death, its applicability can be hindered by the fact that the removal effect is dependent on the creature actually going to the graveyard. This can be limiting in gameplay, as losing a creature can sometimes be a high price to pay for enchantment removal.
Specific Mana Cost: The Reliquary Monk necessitates a precise blend of mana to be cast effectively – one white mana and two others. This can be restrictive for decks that run on a very tight mana base or for those that are multicolored and might not always have the necessary white mana at the crucial moment when the enchantment removal is needed the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost totaling three, Reliquary Monk is considered to have a relatively high casting cost for its role as an enchantment removal tool, especially when compared to other low-cost spells or creatures that may offer more immediate or flexible forms of enchantment interaction or control without depending on the creature’s demise.
Reasons to Include Reliquary Monk in Your Collection
Versatility: Reliquary Monk offers flexibility in game scenarios that involve dealing with opponents’ artifacts or enchantments. Its ability can provide an answer to threat permanents when it dies, making it a multifaceted tool in decks that can exploit such removal events.
Combo Potential: With Reliquary Monk’s death-triggered ability to destroy an artifact or enchantment, it pairs well with strategies involving sacrifice mechanics. It enables synergies with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the graveyard, thus potentially creating powerful interactions within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts or enchantments play a key role, the Reliquary Monk can act as a deterrent or a catch-up mechanism. Its presence proves useful against decks that rely heavily on noncreature permanents, making it a meta-dependant addition that can strengthen your collection for competitive play.
How to beat
Reliquary Monk requires a strategic approach to overcome its ability in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card that reacts to its own demise by allowing its controller to exile an artifact or enchantment, it’s crucial to limit its impact. One way to do this is through the use of creature removal spells that don’t destroy, such as those that exile or bounce the creature back to the owner’s hand. This way, the Monk’s triggered ability does not activate.
Similar strategies include countering the Monk before it hits the battlefield, employing cards that change the nature of the effect or leveraging cards that prevent abilities from triggering altogether. Another effective tactic is to avoid targeting the Reliquary Monk with destruction effects until you are prepared to deal with the potential repercussions. Keeping control of the board and managing your opponent’s threats efficiently can also reduce the impact of losing an artifact or enchantment if the Monk’s ability is activated.
Therefore, understanding your deck’s tools to neutralize or circumvent Reliquary Monk’s ability is key to maintaining advantage during a game. Being preemptive and thoughtful with your removal options can ensure that you don’t find yourself at a disadvantage to this seemingly-innocuous creature’s effect.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reliquary Monk MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Reliquary Monk and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Reliquary Monk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |