Selfless Exorcist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Released | 2002-05-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Judgment |
| Set code | JUD |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 21 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Christopher Moeller |
Text of card
oc T: Remove target creature card in a graveyard from the game. That card deals damage equal to its power to Selfless Exorcist. (A * on a card not in play is 0.)
Cards like Selfless Exorcist
Selfless Exorcist is a unique entity in the realm of creature-based abilities in MTG. Its features mirror others such as Remorseful Cleric and Samurai of the Pale Curtain, which both offer graveyard manipulation. However, Selfless Exorcist distinguishes itself with its targeted exiled effect, specifically focusing on creatures that could pose a recurring threat from the graveyard.
Another card that resonates with Selfless Exorcist’s theme is the Tormod’s Crypt, a non-creature artifact allowing graveyard exiling without any mana cost. While it doesn’t offer the same board presence as Selfless Exorcist, the Crypt can disrupt the opponent’s plans at no immediate cost. Lastly, we look at Agent of Erebos, which includes a broader mechanic of exiling all cards from a single opponent’s graveyard whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control—adding a triggered conditional effect compared to the manual activation of Selfless Exorcist.
Upon evaluating distinctive abilities and the strategic uses each card presents, Selfless Exorcist holds a specific niche given its creature form and direct handling of menacing graveyard threats, adding tactical depth to MTG matches. Its presence on the battlefield can steer opponents away from graveyard-centric strategies, influencing their playstyle while it’s in play.
Cards similar to Selfless Exorcist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Selfless Exorcist bolsters your hand by returning creature cards from your graveyard to your hand. This ability not only recovers valuable assets but can also tilt the game in your favor by consistently bringing back key creatures.
Resource Acceleration: Given its ability to potentially recur mana-producing creatures, Selfless Exorcist can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration, ensuring you have the necessary means to cast spells promptly.
Instant Speed: The ability of Selfless Exorcist to operate at instant speed enhances the strategic flexibility of your play. It allows for surprise factor and advantageous timing, turning the tides during crucial moments of interaction with your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When casting Selfless Exorcist, players often face a tough choice as the card demands a precious discard as part of its activation. For hands teetering on depletion, this condition can sometimes sting, inciting strategic dilemmas about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailored to fit into white mana strategies, Selfless Exorcist’s casting cost requires a dedicated color commitment. This requirement could pose a stumbling block in the agility of multicolored deck designs, squeezing deck variability and possibly benching the card in favor of more versatile options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing in the Exorcist comes at a notable four mana, which might not always align with the desired pace of play. In the arena where tempo is king, players might find that the mana invested in Selfless Exorcist may overshadow its benefits, especially when alternates with lower costs can fulfill a similar role, albeit with different effects or added flexibility.
Reasons to Include Selfless Exorcist in Your Collection
Versatility: Selfless Exorcist is a flexible addition to decks that strive for control over the battlefield. It can effectively remove problematic creatures from the game, which is a valuable ability across multiple formats.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies revolving around graveyard manipulation, offering opportunities to disrupt your opponents while setting up for your own plays. Its unique ability can work with other cards that benefit from creatures leaving play.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies are dominant, Selfless Exorcist proves to be a critical asset. It can change the tide of a match by clearing the way for your win conditions and neutralizing key threats from the opponent.
How to beat
Confronting Selfless Exorcist on the battlefield demands a clever strategy. The key lies in recognizing its strength as a removal creature and its potential to disrupt graveyard-based tactics. This particular card poses a notable challenge not only because of its ability to exile another target creature from the graveyard but because it can also return to the field itself, thus rendering any attempts at permanent removal less effective.
To outmaneuver Selfless Exorcist, players should consider alternatives to graveyard interactivity. Utilizing cards that exile from the battlefield or counter creature spells can be efficient ways to prevent its ability activation. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal spells before its resurrection ability triggers will ensure the Exorcist doesn’t haunt your game plan. Adjusting your approach to focus on direct control elements will help in keeping this card in check, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Adapting to the presence of Selfless Exorcist is crucial for any player. It’s about carefully crafting your playstyle and deck to include preemptive measures, countering its strengths with your strategic insights. By doing so, you preserve the pace of your own play and keep the Exorcist from becoming an undying problem on the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Selfless Exorcist MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Selfless Exorcist and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Selfless Exorcist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Selfless Exorcist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | The reminder text printed on Selfless Exorcist is no longer correct. Abilities that define a creature’s power (and toughness) apply in every zone. The value of * is defined by such an ability. |