Sengir Connoisseur MTG Card


Provides card advantage and resource acceleration through vampire and sacrifice-themed synergies. Requires specific mana and can be restrictive, with a high mana cost competing with other cards. Versatile and meta-relevant, it’s compared to other life-draining creatures like Falkenrath Noble and Blood Artist.
Sengir Connoisseur - Dominaria United
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Vampire
Abilities Flying
Released2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria United
Set codeDMU
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number104
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIrina Nordsol

Text of card

Flying Whenever one or more other creatures die, put a +1/+1 counter on Sengir Connoisseur. This ability triggers only once each turn.

"We cannot afford to let the Phyrexians win. They taste terrible."


Cards like Sengir Connoisseur

Within the realm of creature cards that boast life-draining abilities, Sengir Connoisseur emerges as a noteworthy option for MTG players. It is often compared to cards like Falkenrath Noble who also presents the engaging aspect of gaining life whenever another creature dies. While the Noble has the added versatility of targeting any player or planeswalker, Sengir Connoisseur excels with its higher power and the potential for self-improvement through its +1/+1 counter mechanism.

Likewise, Blood Artist stands out with the beneficial function of draining life with the demise of any creature on the battlefield, not just the ones you control. Though less sturdy in combat than the Sengir Connoisseur, Blood Artist has the upper hand when it comes to passive gameplay. Comparatively, the Connoisseur requires more proactive strategies to reap similar benefits. Each of these cards fulfills a pivotal role in decks focused on triggering abilities through creature sacrifice, underlining the importance of selecting the right card for your deck’s thematic and strategic constructs.

Deciding on Sengir Connoisseur or its counterparts depends on the specific synergies and tempo of your deck. Whether it’s the steady impact of Blood Artist or the scaling prowess of Sengir Connoisseur, choosing the right card is crucial for players looking to maximize their life-draining tactics within MTG.

Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sengir Connoisseur by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Sheoldred - MTG Card versions
Dementia Bat - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Plaguelord - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Sheoldred - MTG Card versions
Dementia Bat - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Plaguelord - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sengir Connoisseur provides a robust mechanism for card benefit, allowing its controller to potentially draw extra cards. This can occur through its interactions with other cards that benefit from vampire-related synergies or from sacrificing creatures.

Resource Acceleration: When successfully leveraging the vampire theme, Sengir Connoisseur can accelerate your resources by supplying additional advantages on the battlefield. The card’s inherent abilities may enhance your board presence, thus leading to a stronger position in the game.

Instant Speed: Even though Sengir Connoisseur itself isn’t an instant, it can potentially synergize with other cards that operate at instant speed, thereby seamlessly integrating into strategies that are rich in instant speed interaction. This allows for reactive gameplay that can adapt to opponents’ actions efficiently.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Sengir Connoisseur is the need to discard a card to activate its ability. While this can be a strategic play, it may not always be beneficial, especially when your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: Sengir Connoisseur requires both black mana and generic mana to cast. This specific mana cost can sometimes be restrictive, particularly for multi-color decks that may not consistently have the necessary black mana resources available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost that’s on the higher end, Sengir Connoisseur competes with other impactful cards in the four-mana slot. Players must weigh its ability strength against other potential options in that mana range to determine its value in their deck.


Reasons to Include Sengir Connoisseur in Your Collection

Versatility: Sengir Connoisseur offers a flexible slot in various deck builds, functioning well in those that capitalize on life gain and sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to integrate into different strategies makes it a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With its capability to produce Bat tokens, Sengir Connoisseur can be a linchpin in combos that flourish with creature tokens or when creatures die, amplifying strategies centered around such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent strategies through strategic sacrifices and token generation, Sengir Connoisseur has its place in metas where creature-based tactics are prevalent, making it a crafty choice for staying competitive.


How to beat

Sengir Connoisseur represents a unique challenge for players in the MTG universe, with its ability to gain strength each time a creature dies. To combat this card effectively, it’s key to either limit creature deaths or utilize removal spells that don’t destroy. Cards such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile neutralize the threat without triggering its ability. Another tactic is to employ counterspells to prevent the Connoisseur from entering the battlefield in the first place.

Strategic gameplay can also revolve around exile effects or bouncing back to the owner’s hand, avoiding the graveyard and thus, the stacking of counters on the Connoisseur. Moreover, one can bypass the creature entirely by focusing on direct life reduction methods or using cards that restrict abilities, like Cursed Totem or Pithing Needle, shutting down activated abilities, or Silent Gravestone to stifle graveyard-triggered skills.

In sum, facing Sengir Connoisseur requires a blend of foresight and prompt response with suitable card choices. It’s not as straightforward as dealing with a typical creature card, but with the right strategy, this formidable adversary can be overcome.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sengir Connoisseur 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 Sengir Connoisseur and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sengir Connoisseur has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal