Scion of Halaster MTG Card


Scion of Halaster offers card advantage by utilizing the top card of your library, enhancing your in-game choices. It accelerates resources, allowing faster casting and potentially accessing extra top-deck spells during play. Having instant speed interactions with the Scion of Halaster can swing control of the game unexpectedly.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeLegendary Enchantment — Background

Text of card

Commander creatures you own have "The first time you would draw a card each turn, instead look at the top two cards of your library. Put one of them into your graveyard and the other back on top of your library. Then draw a card."

Most see the Mad Mage as a deranged menace, but you recognize the genius behind his paranoia


Cards like Scion of Halaster

The Scion of Halaster card brings unique dynamics to the Magic: The Gathering table. It shares some similarities with other creature cards, like the pure brute force it can offer, just like Balustrade Spy that also provides a reasonable power and toughness combination. However, the Scion of Halaster takes gameplay a step further with its potential for graveyard interaction and the ability to grow stronger over time, distinguishing itself from the more straightforward Spy.

Looking at Underrealm Lich, we find parallels in their graveyard synergy, yet the Lich offers a different angle with its selective card draw and survivability feature, presenting players with divergent strategic avenues. Another creature to consider when evaluating similar options is the Acolyte of the Inferno. Although positioned in a different color and coming with renown, which can render it a larger threat sooner, it doesn’t offer Scion’s perpetual growth potential.

Assessing these cards side by side, the Scion of Halaster stands out with its unique blend of aggressive capabilities and graveyard-fueled power boosts. It’s a robust choice for any player looking to leverage graveyard mechanics for a progressively dominant creature on the battlefield.

Balustrade Spy - MTG Card versions
Underrealm Lich - MTG Card versions
Acolyte of the Inferno - MTG Card versions
Balustrade Spy - MTG Card versions
Underrealm Lich - MTG Card versions
Acolyte of the Inferno - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Scion of Halaster by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
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Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
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Mourning - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dark Privilege - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Edict - MTG Card versions
Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Mourning - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scion of Halaster shines in its ability to generate card advantage. As a card that potentially lets you play the top card of your library, it allows for an increased flow of options each turn, making it less likely for you to run out of actions in critical moments of gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: Integrating Scion of Halaster into your deck can contribute to resource acceleration. This supports you in casting spells sooner than usual by potentially giving you access to additional spells from the top of your library, depending on the conditions met during the game.

Instant Speed: The advantages of Scion of Halaster are further complemented by instant speed abilities or interactions. Acting at instant speed can catch opponents off-guard, altering the battlefield in your favor without giving them a chance to respond before their turn ends. This can often be the pivot turning a game to your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scion of Halaster comes with the downside of having to discard a card, possibly depleting your hand faster than desirable.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both a precise combination of mana colors, which could pose a deck-building challenge, specifically in multicolored decks where mana fixing is essential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some peers in its category, Scion of Halaster might lag behind when it comes to getting the best value on the investment, particularly in fast-paced game settings.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Scion of Halaster card offers a broad range of uses across different strategies. Its ability to interact with both instant and sorcery spells means it can be a key part of spell-based decks or act as an invaluable utility card in more creature-focused builds.

Combo Potential: Given its ability to copy instant or sorcery spells, Scion of Halaster opens up numerous possibilities for combo plays. It can enhance and replicate game-changing effects that can swing the outcome in your favor, fitting flawlessly into decks built around spell synergies.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that’s constantly evolving, adapting to the meta is critical. Scion of Halaster’s capability to copy and recur spells offers a competitive edge, making it a significant addition to collections aiming to stay relevant in the ever-shifting sands of the game.


How to beat

Scion of Halaster may seem intimidating as it digs through a deck for those key instant or sorcery spells. However, this MTG card has its weaknesses that can be exploited. Understanding its high mana cost is one gateway to outmaneuvering Scion of Halaster. Its late-game appearance provides players with ample time to set up their defenses or execute their strategy.

Utilizing removal spells efficiently is one strategy to combat the Scion of Halaster. Before it has the chance to unearth a potent spell from the darkness of a deck, employ cards like Murder or Fatal Push to ensure it never gets its effect off. Another path to victory involves counterspells. By keeping mana untapped and a counterspell at the ready, players can respond to the looming threat and neutralize it before its abilities activate.

Furthermore, managing graveyard resources thwarts Scion of Halaster’s potential. With cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze, you can clean out graveyards and limit the options for which Scion of Halaster can search, putting a damper on your opponent’s plans. With these strategies, facing down Scion of Halaster becomes a hurdle one can confidently clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

Examining Scion of Halaster’s role in MTG, it’s clear that it adds a compelling depth to gameplay with its card advantage and potential for dynamic spell copying. Adaptability is key when constructing a deck around such a multifaceted creature, ensuring that every card played maximizes strategic value. As the game landscape evolves, staying ahead of the curve means integrating cards that offer versatility and combo potential. Whether you’re an adept spell-slinger or a strategist seeking to strengthen your deck, considering Scion of Halaster’s unique abilities could give you an upper hand. Dive deeper with us into MTG strategies that maximize Scion of Halaster’s potential and cement your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scion of Halaster MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate 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 Scion of Halaster and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scion of Halaster Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Milivoj Ćeran.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 4982015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 1452015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scion of Halaster has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-06-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2022-06-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2022-06-10 Choose a Background is a variant of the partner ability. You may have two commanders if one of them is a legendary creature with the choose a background ability and the other is a legendary Background enchantment. Backgrounds and cards with choose a Background do not interact with cards which have any other partner ability.
2022-06-10 If a card refers to a commander creature you own, a Background won't usually be counted or included for that effect. If another spell or ability causes your Background to become a creature, however, it will be included. Any effect that refers to your commander or a commander you own or control without specifying creature will apply to a Background that is your commander, as appropriate.
2022-06-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2022-06-10 If you control a Background that grants an ability to commander creatures you own, and you own more than one commander creature, each of them will have that ability.
2022-06-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can include only cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders’ combined color identities.
2022-06-10 If your commander loses the choose a Background ability or stops being a Background during the game, as appropriate, it is still your commander.
2022-06-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won’t have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 combat damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined (although your Background won’t usually be a creature anyway).
2022-06-10 You can choose two commanders that are the same color or colors.