Samite Herbalist MTG Card

Samite Herbalist provides steady deck sifting and improved draw options for sustained in-game momentum. The card offers mana flexibility and instant speed play, enhancing strategic depth during matches. While it can challenge deck-building with mana specificity, its versatility and combo potential are notable.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Scry
Released	2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set name	Dominaria United
Set code	DMU
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	31
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Alessandra Pisano

Text of card

Whenever Samite Herbalist becomes tapped, you gain 1 life and scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

"Spiritual wholeness is not something you can give to yourself: it is attained only through the divine blessing of healing another."

Cards like Samite Herbalist

In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, the Samite Herbalist brings its own unique flavor to the table. When we look at cards with a similar vibe, one can draw parallels with the likes of the Elvish Visionary. While both cards provide utility beyond mere creature presence, the Elvish Visionary allows for an immediate card draw upon entering the battlefield, a one-time benefit compared to the repeatable, but conditional life gain offered by the Samite Herbalist.

Another comparable card is the Soul Warden, which, much like our Herbalist, caters to a life gain strategy. Soul Warden’s advantage lies in its passive ability, granting life whenever another creature enters the battlefield—a frequent and less restricted occurrence. However, the Herbalist’s controlled life gain activated by tapping could integrate well with strategies focusing on utilizing creatures without summoning sickness or with untap synergies.

Assessing these cards, it’s evident that the Samite Herbalist has a distinct role in life gain mechanics within Magic: The Gathering. Its repeatable gain might just tip scales in prolonged matches, proving that every card has its place and purpose in the delicate balance of a deck’s design.

Cards similar to Samite Herbalist by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Samite Herbalist enables you to tap it for its ability, allowing you to steadily sift through your deck, particularly to set up or improve your draws. This can help sustain your momentum by ensuring you have the right tools in hand during crucial moments.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly adding mana to your pool, the Samite Herbalist can untap a land, which in turn permits more flexibility in using mana resources across multiple turns. A well-timed untap can lead to more efficient plays and even surprise your adversaries by bolstering your available resources unexpectedly.

Instant Speed: The Samite Herbalist operates at instant speed, making this card a versatile component of your strategy. Its ability to be used at any time, including during your opponent’s turn, adds a layer of depth to game plays and can shift the game in your favor with the right timing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Samite Herbalist is the potential need to discard cards to activate specific abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly and leave you at a disadvantage if you are not able to readily draw more cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Samite Herbalist requires a very particular mana setup to cast. Typically associated with a white mana cost, it can be challenging to incorporate into multi-colored decks without the proper mana base or fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the utility of the Samite Herbalist against its mana cost, some players find that it may not provide a favorable cost-to-benefit ratio. There are other creatures or spells in the same mana range that might offer more impactful effects or greater versatility on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Samite Herbalist’s unique ability to remove enchantments from the game without having to destroy them makes it a useful tool in decks that aim to handle a wide range of threats. This allows players to bypass indestructible enchantments or those that have negative effects when destroyed.

Combo Potential: Though understated, Samite Herbalist can be an integral part of combos that take advantage of exile synergies. Use it to repeatedly target key enchantments that you or a teammate may recur or benefit from being in exile.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where enchantments are prevalent, having the Samite Herbalist could prove to be a tactical advantage. It’s a low-cost creature that can address threats or serve as a consistent mechanic to control opponents’ enchantment-based strategies.

How to beat

The Samite Herbalist may not be the flashiest creature in Magic: The Gathering, but it brings a unique ability to the table that revolves around the manipulation of +1/+1 counters. This niche role can be pivotal in decks that capitalize on counter synergies. To successfully navigate against a Samite Herbalist, it’s crucial to understand its potential and tailor your strategy accordingly.

One effective method is to focus on removal spells that can take the Herbalist off the board before its ability has a chance to impact the game significantly. Counteracting the Herbalist can also be achieved by using instant-speed interaction, allowing you to respond to the activation of its ability before it resolves. Additionally, creatures with trample or evasion can help you bypass the bolstered defenses that Samite Herbalist might bestow on other creatures. Lastly, if your opponent has built an entire strategy around +1/+1 counters, consider employing cards that negate or remove counters, keeping their battlefield in check.

Bearing these strategies in mind will prepare you for any encounters with Samite Herbalist and allow you to maintain the upper hand throughout your Magic: The Gathering matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Samite Herbalist MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Samite Herbalist and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Samite Herbalist has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Samite Herbalist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2022-09-09	If Samite Herbalist becomes tapped while casting a spell or activating an ability, that spell or ability resolves after Samite Herbalist’s triggered ability has resolved.
2022-09-09	Samite Herbalist’s ability is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn’t allow you to tap it whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of tapping it, such as by attacking.