Soltari Priest MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 46
1998-08-12 - Number bh46
1999-12-01 - Number 14
2003-01-01 - Number 1N07
2005-01-01 - Number 1E07
2006-01-01 - Number 1U07
2006-10-06 - Number 14
2015-05-06 - Number 32
2002-06-24 - Number 35054
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Soltari Cleric |
| Abilities | Protection,Shadow |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Protection from red; shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.)
"In Rath," the priest said, "there is even greater need for prayer."
Cards like Soltari Priest
Delving into the realm of evasive two-drops, Soltari Priest has cemented its place as a reliable combatant in white weenie decks. This resilient character boasts protection from red, making it a perfect match against decks rich in red direct damage spells. When considering alternatives, one might look at the Dauntless Bodyguard. The Bodyguard doesn’t share the protection ability but offers a different kind of utility by safeguarding another creature upon entry.
In the same category, we discover the Benevolent Bodyguard. Although it can sacrifice itself to grant a creature protection from the color of your choice until end of turn, it lacks the inherent protection and combat finesse offered by Soltari Priest. Then there’s Mother of Runes, another standout, who can provide protection to any creature on demand. However, Mother of Runes doesn’t present the same persistent threat on the battlefield that the Soltari Priest does with its evasion and combat-ready stance.
After evaluating the pros and cons within the assortment of utility creatures, Soltari Priest is undoubtedly a staple choice for players prioritizing consistent board presence and defense against red-based removal or blockers.
Cards similar to Soltari Priest by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Soltari Priest. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Midrange | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
| Five-color Aggro | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Soltari Priest’s protection from red often guarantees it remains on the battlefield, effectively sidestepping potential removals from one whole color. This endurance provides ongoing benefits, from relentless damage dealing to consistent blocking, thereby ensuring a tactical advantage against opponents, especially in red-heavy decks.
Resource Acceleration: While Soltari Priest itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its low casting cost makes it a highly efficient play. Requiring only two mana, one of which is white, it allows you to swiftly develop your board presence while preserving resources for other strategic plays, which can lead to a rapid acceleration in your game tactics.
Instant Speed: Though Soltari Priest is not an instant, its Shadow ability means it can often attack and block without interference, as only creatures with Shadow can block or be blocked by it. This pseudo-instant quality provides a form of evasion, affecting board state at a speed similar to instant interactions, as your opponents might not have the means to respond effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Soltari Priest doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, playing it in a deck usually necessitates additional card selection strategies. This may lead to situations where you’re forced to discard other valuable cards to keep your gameplay aligned with the Priest’s strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Soltari Priest requires a specific mana cost, namely two white mana symbols. This can potentially restrict this card to mono-white or two-color decks that support white mana without straying too far into color inconsistency, which can limit deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two white mana, the Soltari Priest is comparatively more expensive than other two-drop creatures. Considering its 2/1 stats, some players might find that other creatures or spells at this cost could be more impactful in the early game.
Reasons to Include Soltari Priest in Your Collection
Versatility: The Soltari Priest is a powerful addition to white decks looking for reliable creatures. With shadow, it can often bypass blockers, acting as a consistent damage dealer or strategic defender when needed.
Combo Potential: This card excels in synergistic strategies, pairing well with equipment and enchantments that can leverage its unblockable nature through shadow. It becomes a tool for both aggressive and tactical plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are widespread, Soltari Priest holds its own by being practically untouchable in combat. Its relevance increases in formats where direct interaction is vital, and evasion is at a premium.
How to beat Soltari Priest
Soltari Priest is a staple in decks that focus on protection and evasion within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This creature’s unique combination of shadow and protection from red makes it a resilient force on the battlefield. To effectively combat this ethereal cleric, one needs to consider strategies that do not rely solely on red spells or blockable creatures.
Utilizing spells that can affect all creatures regardless of color or that target players rather than creatures can circumvent the Priest’s defenses. Boardwipe spells like Wrath of God or global enchantments such as Meekstone can suppress the Priest’s utility without directly targeting it. Another potent strategy is to employ creatures with reach or those that can block or interact with shadow creatures, ensuring that the Priest’s evasive abilities are negated.
Having a diverse arsenal in your deck that can handle a range of threats is key to maintaining control on the game. Integrating cards that offer flexible solutions will bolster your chances against the Soltari Priest as well as a multitude of other challenges you may face on the battleground of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soltari Priest MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Soltari Priest 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
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Printings
The Soltari Priest Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 46 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Janet Aulisio | |
| 2 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | bh46 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Janet Aulisio | |
| 3 | 1999-12-01 | Junior Super Series | PSUS | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dany Orizio | |
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35054 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dany Orizio | ||
| 5 | 2003-01-01 | Japan Junior Tournament | PJJT | 1N07 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dany Orizio | |
| 6 | 2005-01-01 | Junior Series Europe | PJSE | 1E07 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dany Orizio | |
| 7 | 2006-01-01 | Junior APAC Series | PJAS | 1U07 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dany Orizio | |
| 8 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 14 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Janet Aulisio | |
| 9 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Janet Aulisio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Soltari Priest has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Soltari Priest card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | If an attacking creature has multiple evasion abilities, such as shadow and flying, a creature can block it only if that creature satisfies all of the appropriate evasion abilities. |
| 2021-03-19 | Multiple instances of shadow on the same creature are redundant. |
| 2021-03-19 | Once a creature has been blocked, that creature remains blocked and will deal and be dealt combat damage even if it gains or loses shadow or if the blocking creature gains or loses shadow. |