Serene Master MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Monk |
| Released | 2013-11-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Commander 2013 |
| Set code | C13 |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Zug |
Text of card
Whenever Serene Master blocks, exchange its power and the power of target creature it's blocking until end of combat.
"A great warrior studies many different disciplines and takes the best from each." —Gideon Jura
Cards like Serene Master
Serene Master is an intriguing creature card that engages in combat in a unique way in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to exchange power with an attacking creature until end of turn recalls the mechanics of other defensive creatures such as Wall of Glare, which can block any number of creatures, and Mirror Entity, which can change its power and toughness to benefit the situation at hand.
Looking at its kin, we encounter the likes of Reflecting Palm, a card geared towards turning an opponent’s attack back on themselves, which resonates with Serene Master’s theme of redirecting the force exerted by others. Meanwhile, cards like Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer, function in a defensive manner by preventing creatures from attacking or blocking and incentivizing a more passive playstyle.
Each of these cards has its role in a deck focused on controlling combat outcomes. While Serene Master stands out with its ability to neutralize high-power threats, it shares this battlefield manipulation strategy with creatures and spells that force opponents to change their tactics.
Cards similar to Serene Master by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Serene Master has a unique interaction that does not directly draw cards but can perpetually frustrate opponents. The ability to exchange power during combat means you potentially deny opponents their own card advantage, as creatures that should allow them to pull ahead in the game suddenly become less effective.
Resource Acceleration: Being in the white color pie, Serene Master isn’t directly linked to traditional resource acceleration. However, it can act as a deterrent that conserves resources by preventing damage to your life total and other creatures. Saving spells or creatures that might have been used defensively can indirectly accelerate your board presence.
Instant Speed: While Serene Master itself is not an instant, its static ability applies whenever it’s in combat. This gives it a passive, always-on effect that can be a surprise element during combat. Moreover, its ability pairs well with other instant-speed tricks in hand, letting you maintain mana flexibility until the most impactful moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Serene Master’s design doesn’t impose a discard requirement, enabling uninterrupted play without sacrificing valuable hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana value requiring both colorless and white mana, Serene Master can be restrictive in multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its unique ability to switch power during combat, the initial investment of three mana might deter players considering the card’s overall impact and alternative lower-cost creatures available.
Reasons to Include Serene Master in Your Collection
Versatility: Serene Master is a unique card that can slide into a range of deck types. Its ability to redirect damage based on its power makes it an intriguing defensive option, especially in Commander format where creatures can get significantly large.
Combo Potential: This card shines in situations where you can manipulate power and toughness, essentially turning it into a tool for dissuading attacks or for cleverly arranged combat tricks. Pair it with cards that can swap power and toughness for surprise outcomes.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creatures are prevalent, Serene Master presents a formidable obstacle. Its capacity to discourage attacks or blunt the force of a heavy hitter makes it relevant in environments where combat is a key path to victory.
How to beat
Serene Master is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can be quite tricky to handle in combat. This card, often seen in cleverly constructed defensive decks, flips the script on attack power dynamics. Unlike most creatures that deal damage based on their power, Serene Master exchanges its power with that of the attacker during combat, potentially neutralizing high-power threats.
When facing off against Serene Master, the key is to bypass the traditional combat phase. Removal spells that don’t rely on damage, such as “Path to Exile” or “Doom Blade,” can effectively dispatch this serene but frustrating monk. Counterplay can also involve using abilities that tap the creature before it can block or employing enchantments that prevent it from blocking altogether. Additionally, leveraging effects that apply -1/-1 counters or reduce toughness can render Serene Master’s ability irrelevant, as it survives combat based on its toughness, not its swapped power.
Tactically speaking, it’s all about nullifying Serene Master’s ability or avoiding it entirely. Adapting your strategy to include non-combat solutions can ensure this peace-loving monk doesn’t stand in the way of your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Serene Master MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2013, 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 Serene Master 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 Serene Master has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Serene Master card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-10-17 | Any power-modifying effects, counters, Auras, or Equipment will apply to the creatures’ new powers. For example, say Serene Master is enchanted with Lightning Talons, which gives it +3/+0, and it blocks a 5/5 creature. After the exchange, Serene Master would be an 8/2 creature (its power became 5, which was then modified by Lightning Talons), and the other creature would be 3/5. |
| 2013-10-17 | If Serene Master blocks multiple creatures, its ability will trigger only once, and it will exchange power with only the target creature. (Note that Serene Master can’t block multiple creatures normally.) |
| 2013-10-17 | The exchange is made only if both Serene Master and the target creature are on the battlefield when the ability resolves. |
| 2013-10-17 | When Serene Master’s ability resolves, its power becomes equal to the former power of the target creature. At the same time, that creature’s power will become equal to Serene Master’s former power. |