Scuttling Sentinel MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Crab Elf |
| Abilities | Vigilance, Flash |
| Released | 2024-02-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: Clue Edition |
| Set code | CLU |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 42 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Betty Jiang |
Text of card
Flash Vigilance When Scuttling Sentinel enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control. Until end of turn, that creature becomes a blue Crab in addition to its other types and gains hexproof. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
Cards like Scuttling Sentinel
Scuttling Sentinel introduces a new dynamic to artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out in its family much like Eager Construct, each offering a beneficial effect upon entering the battlefield. Scuttling Sentinel, however, brings adaptability with its potential to become a 4/4, surpassing Eager Construct’s static 2/2 form.
Another comparable mechanical kin is Pilgrim’s Eye, which has a similar effect by fetching a basic land card when it enters the battlefield. While Scuttling Sentinel doesn’t directly influence land drops, it compensates with its potential for increased power and toughness. Also, the Sentinels of the Pearl Trident offer a notion of resilience, giving them a temporary escape from removal via exiling—yet Scuttling Sentinel holds its ground as a persistent battlefield presence, demanding a solution from your opponent.
The balancing act between power level, board impact, and mana cost places Scuttling Sentinel in a favorable position among artifact creatures. With its flexible upgrade and sturdy defense, it’s a card to watch in decks looking to capitalize on artifacts’ strength across the gaming spectrum of Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Scuttling Sentinel provides a unique edge by enabling artifact synergies. When combined with mechanics that care about artifact cards, it offers an undeniable advantage, adding to your board state while keeping your hand resources healthy.
Resource Acceleration: As an artifact creature, this card can be an integral part of strategies built around ramping up your resources. It dovetails perfectly with mechanics that reduce the cost of artifact spells, effectively accelerating your game plan and giving you the upper hand in deploying your threats faster than usual.
Instant Speed: With the ability to become an indestructible artifact until end of turn at instant speed, Scuttling Sentinel provides an unparalleled level of tactical flexibility. This permits savvy players to navigate around removals or strategically block without the fear of losing this valuable piece on the battlefield—all at the speed of your opponent’s unsuspecting plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fuel its adaptability, Scuttling Sentinel demands the discarding of a card, a trade-off that can backfire when your hand is already depleted or when every card is critical to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact creature requires a precise mana combination to cast, which may not align seamlessly with all deck types. Decks that rely heavily on a different color spectrum could find this mana requirement cumbersome.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its offering, players might pause to evaluate their options, especially when there exist alternatives that could provide similar or greater value at a more economical mana investment.
Reasons to Include Scuttling Sentinel in Your Collection
Versatility: Scuttling Sentinel is a flexible card that can be a fit in artifact-centered decks or those that exploit the modular mechanic. Its artifact nature allows it to synergize with cards designed to buff artifacts, providing you with a multi-functional tool for various match scenarios.
Combo Potential: With the modular ability, this card holds potential for combos in both offensive and defensive capacities. It can transfer its +1/+1 counters to other creatures when it dies, playing nicely with counter manipulation strategies and enabling surprising shifts in battlefield power.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment often shifts, having adaptable cards is crucial. Scuttling Sentinel’s potential for interaction with popular keywords and its inherent resilience against certain forms of removal make it a strategic choice for adapting to an evolving meta.
How to beat
Scuttling Sentinel presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a formidable artifact creature, its strength lies not just in its durability but also in how it can become a major roadblock for many decks. The key to tackling this sentinel is to adapt your strategy and include efficient removal spells or effects that can bypass the artifact’s defenses.
Against decks that rely heavily on creatures like Scuttling Sentinel, having access to artifact removal such as Abrade or Naturalize can prove invaluable. Such spells offer a straightforward solution by directly destroying the target. Board wipes like Wrath of God can also provide a clean slate, removing the sentinel alongside other creatures. Additionally, evasion tactics, including the use of flying or unblockable creatures, allow you to circumvent Scuttling Sentinel’s ground control, giving you an alternate path to victory.
Flexibility in your deck and an understanding of when to pivot your tactics are crucial for overcoming obstacles like Scuttling Sentinel. By being equipped with the right cards and keenly observing the state of the game, players can ensure that this mechanical guardian becomes a minor hiccup rather than an unstoppable force.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scuttling Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Scuttling Sentinel 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 Scuttling Sentinel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.