Setessan Oathsworn MTG Card

Setessan Oathsworn thrives on being targeted by spells, turning into a persistent battlefield contender. Instant speed interactions allow surprise boosts during combat, but require careful hand management. Its green mana cost and higher casting can limit deck-building options and early impact.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Satyr Warrior
Abilities	Heroic
Released	2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set name	Born of the Gods
Set code	BNG
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	138
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott Murphy

Text of card

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Setessan Oathsworn, put two +1/+1 counters on Setessan Oathsworn.

"Setessa is not the city of my birth, but it is the place I fight for, and the place I'm willing to die for. Does that not make it my home?"

Cards like Setessan Oathsworn

Setessan Oathsworn occupies a unique spot in the pantheon of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, drawing similarities to cards like Satyr Grovedancer. Although Satyr Grovedancer can also bolster a creature’s strength, it does so as a comes into play effect, not relying on the heroic mechanic that defines Setessan Oathsworn. The Oathsworn offers potential for repeated boosts every time you cast a spell that targets it, presenting an ongoing threat that can grow out of control if not addressed by your opponent.

Diving deeper into the synergy of heroic mechanics, Fabled Hero stands out. Like the Oathsworn, Fabled Hero grows stronger with each targeting spell, but with double strike, it can capitalize better on the power increases. Nonetheless, at a higher mana cost, Fabled Hero requires more investment than Setessan Oathsworn, which can be advantageous earlier in the game. Lastly, the comparative analysis wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Akroan Crusader, another heroic card but with a significant difference—it creates a 1/1 soldier token with haste instead of increasing its own power and toughness.

To summarize, Setessan Oathsworn finds its strengths in Magic: The Gathering thanks to its synergy with boosted stats through the heroic ability. It stands as a versatile option among its counterparts due to its potential for growth and lower mana cost, making it a card that can quickly become a substantial threat on the battlefield.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Setessan Oathsworn offers the potential for card advantage through its heroic ability which, when triggered, allows it to gain +1/+1 counters. This can turn it into a recurring threat that must be dealt with, potentially exhausting your opponent’s resources while you maintain a growing creature on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, the Setessan Oathsworn can be considered a catalyst for such when paired with cards that allow you to untap it or benefit from the +1/+1 counters it accumulates. This can lead to more efficient use of mana and other resources as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: Interactions involving Setessan Oathsworn can benefit from instant-speed spells or effects. Casting auras or combat tricks at instant speed to trigger its heroic ability can be a powerful way to surprise an opponent, potentially turning the tides of combat in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The playability of Setessan Oathsworn can be hampered by the need to discard another card in order to leverage its full potential. Such a requirement could set you back if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green mana can be restrictive, making the card less adaptable and harder to include in multi-color decks that don’t heavily feature forests or green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher end for its effects, players might find that Setessan Oathsworn doesn’t provide enough impact for its mana investment, especially when you consider other creatures in the same range that might provide immediate value upon hitting the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Setessan Oathsworn in Your Collection

Versatility: Setessan Oathsworn brings adaptability to the table by being a solid inclusion in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters. It can grow significantly larger over the course of a game, making it flexible for different combat situations.

Combo Potential: With the ability to gain counters whenever you cast a spell that targets it, this card can become a powerhouse when combined with spells that bolster creatures or with heroic-triggered abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In any meta where combat plays a significant role or where green creature strategies are prevalent, including Setessan Oathsworn could provide a consistent threat on the board that opponents must address.

How to beat Setessan Oathsworn

Setessan Oathsworn is an integral piece in any deck built around the heroic mechanic in MTG. This green creature becomes a formidable force when targeted by spells, growing in both power and toughness. But how do you deal with this ever-strengthening threat?

Control and removal spells are your best bet when facing Setessan Oathsworn. Having instant-speed removal allows you to respond to your opponent’s actions before the Oathsworn becomes too large. Red spells like Lightning Strike or black spells like Doom Blade can dispatch this creature efficiently at a low-cost investment. Alternatively, countering the spells that target Setessan Oathsworn to trigger its heroic ability can keep it from becoming a problem. Blue spells like Essence Scatter can intercept creatures, while Negate tackles noncreature spells.

Remember, timing is crucial when facing cards like Setessan Oathsworn. By keeping your removal or counterspells in waiting for the pivotal moment when your opponent tries to boost their creature, you can shift the game’s momentum in your favor, proving that even heroes can be overcome with the right strategy.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Setessan Oathsworn MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Setessan Oathsworn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Setessan Oathsworn has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities won’t trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell’s targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.