Selesnya Sentry MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elephant Soldier
Released	2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Return to Ravnica
Set code	RTR
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	21
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wesley Burt

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by deterring attacks, important for decks using creatures heavily.
Convoke mechanic inclusion accelerates resources, reducing costs of powerful spells.
Instant-speed synergy enables unexpected blocking and mana efficiency during play.

Text of card

: Regenerate Selesnya Sentry.

Ravnicans still tell tales about the Battle of Sumala where four Selesnya sentries held off an entire clan of Gruul warriors.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Selesnya Sentry presents a unique opportunity for card advantage, especially in decks that focus on creature-based strategies. By providing a stable defender early on, it can help maintain board presence, deterring attacks and protecting more valuable creatures or planeswalkers.

Resource Acceleration: As a member of the Selesnya guild, the Sentry fits well into decks that exploit the convoke mechanic for resource acceleration. It can contribute to the casting of powerful convoke spells, effectively reducing their mana cost and speeding up your overall game plan.

Instant Speed: Even though Selesnya Sentry itself does not function at instant speed, it can synergize with other cards that do. It can be brought onto the battlefield at the end of your opponent’s turn through various instant-speed means, preserving mana for other actions and allowing for unexpected blocking scenarios.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Selesnya Sentry might ask you to discard another card to enable certain abilities or as part of the cost. This can backfire, especially during late-game scenarios where your hand size becomes critical to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a combination of green and white mana which might restrict its integration into a variety of decks. Players must have a reliable mana base to consistently cast Selesnya Sentry without hiccups, which can be challenging in multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where efficiency can determine victory, Selesnya Sentry has a mana cost that might be deemed steep for its abilities. Players might gravitate towards other options that offer similar or better effects with smaller mana investments, making it a less preferred choice for deckbuilders aiming for optimal mana curves.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Selesnya Sentry serves as a steadfast defender across multiple deck types where early game protection is key. Its ability to bolster your defense ensures that your life total remains undisturbed while you build up your board.

Combo Potential: The card’s regeneration ability allows it to persist through board wipes and combat, making it a reliable piece in combos that require a stable presence on the battlefield. Pairing it with enchantments or abilities that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield can be particularly effective.

Meta-Relevance: As game dynamics shift towards control and creature-heavy decks, Selesnya Sentry can hold the fort against aggressive starts. Its resilience can be a game-changer, especially in a meta where preserving key creatures is pivotal for maintaining an advantage.

How to beat

Confronting the Selesnya Sentry in Magic: The Gathering can be a strategic puzzle for many players. This vigilant defender serves as a faithful guardian on the battlefield. It can deter opponents from attacking due to its ability to become indestructible, which it gains by paying a specific mana cost. Despite this, there are several effective strategies to overcome the Sentry’s tenacious defense.

For instance, employing removal spells that don’t destroy, such as those that exile or force the player to sacrifice a creature, can bypass the Sentry’s indestructibility. Timing is also crucial as you can exploit moments when the opponent cannot pay the mana cost to activate the Sentry’s ability. Additionally, summoning creatures with flying can easily evade the Sentry’s defenses, allowing you to attack your opponent directly from the air.

Understanding these vulnerabilities in the Selesnya Sentry’s defenses enables players to craft a plan that navigates around this stalwart obstacle. Utilizing tactics that either circumvent its shield or eliminate it without destruction, players can maintain an upper hand in the face of this formidable card.

Cards like Selesnya Sentry

Selesnya Sentry is a noteworthy creature card in the world of Magic: The Gathering and can be compared with others like Centaur Healer and Siege Wurm. What makes Selesnya Sentry stand out is its ability to regenerate, providing a persistent obstacle for opponents. Centaur Healer, while lacking the regeneration ability, instantly boosts a player’s life when it enters the battlefield, offering a different kind of sustainability.

Alternatively, Siege Wurm presents a similar Selesnya flavor, boasting the convoke mechanic that allows it to be cast potentially much earlier by tapping creatures as part of its cost. It doesn’t have the regeneration shield like Selesnya Sentry, but it compensates with trample, enabling overkill damage to be dealt to the opponent. This makes Siege Wurm a more aggressive option, while Selesnya Sentry is more defensive in nature.

Ultimately, Selesnya Sentry has a unique role as a stalwart defender in the MTG lineup. While it might not have the immediate impact of Centaur Healer or the offensive capabilities of Siege Wurm, its resilience enables it to be a strategic asset during prolonged engagements on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Selesnya Sentry by color, type and mana cost

Knight of the Reliquary - MTG Card versions

Chronicler of Heroes - MTG Card versions

Selvala, Explorer Returned - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Selesnya Sentry MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Selesnya Sentry and other MTG cards: