Spurnmage Advocate MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 27
2011-06-17 - Number 33
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Nomad |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
oc T: Return two target cards in an opponent's graveyard to his or her hand. Destroy target attacking creature.
"Our unity humbles our foes."
Cards like Spurnmage Advocate
Spurnmage Advocate is an interesting piece within a collection of return-from-graveyard cards in Magic: The Gathering. Often paralleled with cards such as Nomad Mythmaker, which also brings back enchantments from the graveyard, Spurnmage Advocate provides a different utility. While the Mythmaker fetches only Auras and attaches them directly to creatures, this Advocate returns any two target cards, offering strategic flexibility for players.
Looking into other relatives in this space, we have Pulsemage Advocate. It shares the Advocate tribe’s characteristics, returning cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand to serve a larger effect. In this case, the Pulsemage revives creatures instead of any card type but comes with heftier power. Consequently, players must consider the potential to shift the game’s balance with each card restitution.
In summary, Spurnmage Advocate may not tout the raw power or specificity of some of its peers, but its unique card recovery ability alongside a defensive body provides players with a multifaceted tool for graveyard interaction, carefully leveraging opponents’ resources for strategic advantage in the game of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Spurnmage Advocate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spurnmage Advocate offers a unique form of card advantage by returning target cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand. This not only gives you an upper hand in terms of resources but also strategically diminishes the potency of your opponent’s graveyard recursion tactics.
Resource Acceleration: While Spurnmage Advocate itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to retrieve cards for opponents often leads to beneficial exchanges. This process can indirectly result in acceleration by ensuring your board state remains superior.
Instant Speed: The activation of Spurnmage Advocate’s ability is at instant speed, allowing a tactical advantage during an opponent’s turn. This enhances the player’s ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing battlefield, keeping opponents guessing and playing around the Advocate’s ability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the tactical nuances of MTG, it is essential to consider the cost-benefit analysis of each card. With Spurnmage Advocate, players encounter a discard requirement to activate its ability, compelling you to return two target cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand. While this can reestablish a balance or shift in control mid-game, the inevitability of strengthening your opponent’s resources can lead to a strategic disadvantage, especially if they retrieve high-value cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Delving into the deck-building aspect of MTG, we recognize the importance of mana diversity and consistency. Spurnmage Advocate’s white mana cost may constrict its inclusion to mono-white or white-heavy decks, thereby constraining deck versatility. Players cultivating multi-colored decks might find it challenging to meet the mana requirements at critical junctures, subsequently impacting the fluidity of their gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Evaluating card efficiency, Spurnmage Advocate presents a comparatively high mana cost for its effect. Despite the potential upside of its ability to repeatedly recur, other cards within the same mana range could provide more immediate or impactful advantages. Competitive players often prefer options that offer faster, more decisive plays, making Spurnmage Advocate a potentially less attractive choice for those seeking to optimize their deck’s performance to set the pace of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spurnmage Advocate offers a unique utility in both aggressive and control decks. It can return cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand, disrupting strategies reliant on graveyard mechanics while providing a strong defensive creature.
Combo Potential: This card operates well with graveyard manipulation tactics. Its ability to return cards from graveyards to the owner’s hand can be cleverly used to empower synergies with cards like Guiltfeeder or Pulsemage Advocate for a strategic advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where recursion or graveyard-themed decks are prevalent, Spurnmage Advocate can serve as a tactical tool. Its interaction with opponent’s graveyards offers a significant edge in the ever-evolving metagame, making it a smart addition to any player’s arsenal.
How to beat
Spurnmage Advocate brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in MTG, acting as a strategic piece particularly in formats like Commander. Its ability to return cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand, while potentially thwarting an attack, can be turned on its head to ensure your victory. To effectively counter this card, the key lies in minimizing the downside of the Advocate’s ability.
One approach is by using graveyard hate cards, such as Relic of Progenitus or Leyline of the Void, which can exile cards before the Advocate has the chance to retrieve them. This mitigates the benefit given to your opponent. Another tactic involves maintaining pressure with an aggressive playstyle, forcing your opponent to choose between defending and utilizing their Advocate’s ability. Additionally, employ spot removal or board sweepers to control the field and eliminate the Advocate before its ability becomes relevant. Playing around Spurnmage Advocate successfully requires a blend of proactive graveyard control and decisive action to neutralize its influence on the game.
Ultimately, by understanding your opponent’s strategy and being prepared with countermeasures, you ensure that Spurnmage Advocate’s upside for your opponent is limited, keeping you one step ahead in the duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spurnmage Advocate MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Commander 2011, 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 Spurnmage Advocate 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
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Printings
The Spurnmage Advocate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2011-06-17. Illustrated by Ron Spears.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 27 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 33 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spurnmage Advocate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spurnmage Advocate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The ability is not countered if both cards are missing from the graveyard on resolution and the creature target is there. This makes it possible to have two Spurnmage Advocates both target the same two cards and end up destroying two creatures. |
| 2004-10-04 | You can’t activate this ability unless a single opponent has at least two cards in their graveyard to target. |