Steadfast Sentry MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Vigilance |
| Released | 2019-07-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2020 |
| Set code | M20 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 40 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Bram Sels |
Text of card
Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) When Steadfast Sentry dies, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
"Get up, slugabeds! We've got company, and they're not dressed for a party!"
Cards like Steadfast Sentry
Steadfast Sentry offers a unique space among creature cards in MTG, particularly in the realm of common white creatures. It lines up alongside cards like Silverbeak Griffin, both being three-cost creatures with flying, though the Sentry trades flying for vigilance and a death-trigger effect to bolster another creature with a +1/+1 counter upon its demise. This creates an interesting dynamic where the Sentry, unlike the Griffin, continues to impact the game even after it leaves the battlefield.
Considering combat-oriented cards, Knight of Sorrows is another comparative example. It too carries a form of endurance with afterlife, but Steadfast Sentry holds the advantage of vigilance, allowing it to remain a defensive asset while still contributing to the offense. Additionally, Loyal Sentry offers a similar detriment to attackers, albeit through a different mechanism – it destroys any creature it blocks but doesn’t stand up to multiple combat rounds like Steadfast Sentry, which can block multiple times and still provide a post-mortem benefit.
Ultimately, the Sentry carves out a niche among white creatures with its blend of vigilance and supportive death-trigger, which may influence strategic deck building in MTG play.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steadfast Sentry grants a subtle form of card advantage via its “when it dies” effect. After serving as a reliable defender or attacker, this loyal creature lets you put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control, potentially transforming a surviving creature into a bigger threat. This ability to enhance another creature can sway the battle in your favor without committing more cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Steadfast Sentry doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, the vigilance trait ensures that it can attack without tapping, keeping it ready to block. This often forces opponents to expend more resources to deal with both an active offense and a steadfast defense, indirectly benefiting your resource management during the course of play.
Instant Speed: Steadfast Sentry may not be an instant, but its death-triggered ability can have an instant impact on the game state. Improving your battlefield position at the moment the Sentry leaves play allows you to immediately respond to threats or bolster your defenses, offering strategic flexibility similar to what instant-speed spells provide.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Steadfast Sentry does not have a discard requirement itself, it’s important to note that finding a spot for it in your deck may force you to discard other valuable cards during the deck-building process, which can affect overall strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Steadfast Sentry demands a specific white mana for casting. This cost can be a setback for players who run multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently provide this requirement, particularly early in the game when mana resources are more limited.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a creature that provides 3/2 stats and vigilance, it might not be the most economical choice. In the same mana range, players could find other creatures or spells that offer greater utility or impact on the game, making Steadfast Sentry potentially less favorable in comparison.
Reasons to Include Steadfast Sentry in Your Collection
Versatility: Steadfast Sentry serves as a reliable piece in a variety of deck builds, particularly those in need of solid defensive creatures. With its ability to boost a creature’s power and vigilance upon death, it adapts well to changing board states.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with strategies that capitalize on the death of creatures, whether it be through recursion mechanics or effects that trigger upon a creature dying.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where combat tricks and creature interactions define the pace of play, Steadfast Sentry can be a subtle yet impactful choice. Its vigilant nature allows it to hold off attackers while keeping the pressure on your opponents, a dual role that’s highly beneficial in the current meta.
How to beat
Steadfast Sentry introduces a dependable utility to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out with its vigilance trait, which allows it to attack without tapping, keeping it ready to block potential counterattacks. The card becomes particularly valuable when it dies, as it grants a +1/+1 counter to a target creature you control, a small but effective way to strengthen your board presence.
Navigating around Steadfast Sentry involves careful planning. Removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile, can counter its death-trigger effect, preventing the +1/+1 counter from being a factor. Board wipes also serve as a clean solution; a well-timed Wrath of God can reset the battlefield, removing Steadfast Sentry and its allies in one fell swoop. Another strategy involves leveraging flying creatures, which can typically evade the Sentry, pressuring your opponent from the air where it can’t reach.
Beating Steadfast Sentry requires an understanding of its capabilities and preparing your deck with answers. Whether through targeted removal or strategic combat, there are plenty of ways to handle the Sentry before it can solidify your opponent’s defenses or contribute to a more imposing threat on the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steadfast Sentry MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Steadfast Sentry and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Steadfast Sentry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Steadfast Sentry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-12 | If another creature is dealt lethal damage at the same time as Steadfast Sentry, Steadfast Sentry’s triggered ability can’t put a +1/+1 counter on the other creature in time to save it. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.