Stensia Banquet MTG Card

Enhances vampire decks with card draw and additional red mana for controlling three vampires. Demands card discard and specific mana, which may restrict its deck versatility. Unique niche in MTG for vampires, offering damage and card advantage potential.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2016-07-22
Set symbol
Set name	Eldritch Moon
Set code	EMN
Number	144
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Opalinski

Text of card

Stensia Banquet deals damage to target opponent equal to the number of Vampires you control. Draw a card.

"We can't win a war on an empty stomach, can we?" —Olivia Voldaren

Cards like Stensia Banquet

In the ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Stensia Banquet stands out with its unique approach to dealing damage while rewarding you for controlling Vampires. The card finds its place among others that combine direct damage with an additional effect. An immediate comparison can be made with Fiery Confluence, which also offers flexibility in choosing different modes of damage and disruption. However, unlike Fiery Confluence, Stensia Banquet provides a continuous benefit each turn with its ability to draw cards if you meet its condition of controlling three or more Vampires.

Another card in the realm of damage-dealing spells with upside is Inferno Jet. This spell offers a large burst of damage and cycles itself by drawing a card. While Stensia Banquet requires setup to reap its full benefits, Inferno Jet provides immediate impact. Additionally, Stensia Banquet’s dependency on a specific creature type contrasts with the broader applicability of spells like Lightning Bolt, a staple for direct damage without any restrictions. Lightning Bolt’s low cost and instant speed make it a potent tool in any red deck’s arsenal, unlike the more situational Stensia Banquet.

Overall, while Stensia Banquet may not be as versatile as some other red spells, it carves out a niche within vampire-themed decks, providing both incremental damage and the potential for card advantage.

Cards similar to Stensia Banquet by color, type and mana cost

Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stensia Banquet enables a player to draw cards equal to the number of vampires they control. This effect can significantly contribute to sustaining superiority in the card count, especially in a dedicated vampire deck with numerous creatures.

Resource Acceleration: If you control at least three vampires when Stensia Banquet’s ability resolves, it adds a red mana to your mana pool. This small boost in resources can be pivotal in casting more spells in a turn, potentially turning the tide of the match.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Stensia Banquet is designed to synergize with the timing of your turns, allowing you to plan your moves to optimize your vampire contingent’s presence when casting this spell.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stensia Banquet taxes your hand by asking for a card to be discarded to activate its potential, which poses a strategic risk when your hand is already depleted from earlier plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailored for a vampire-themed deck, this card demands a precise mana combination, potentially hindering its inclusion in more versatile or multicolored deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When pacing is key, the card’s cost might seem steep as it competes for space with other impactful four-mana plays that might immediately change the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stensia Banquet provides a unique addition to decks that capitalize on vampire themes or direct damage strategies. Its ability to deal incremental damage while drawing cards makes it a handy tool for decks that need to maintain card advantage and control the board.

Combo Potential: Stensia Banquet can be a fundamental part of combos in red-centered decks, synergizing with cards that benefit from dealing non-combat damage or those that care about the number of vampires you control, potentially unlocking powerful synergies and board dominance.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggro decks predominate, Stensia Banquet can edge your deck out with its potential for consistent damage output and replenishing your hand, keeping the threats coming while whittling down opponents’ life totals.

How to beat

Stensia Banquet, with its ability to strengthen your creatures and deal damage to your opponent, can make a game escalate quickly for Vampire tribal decks in Magic The Gathering. A key to overpowering this card lies in tackling its tribal synergies. Removing vampires from the board can significantly curb the effectiveness of Stensia Banquet. Utilizing removal spells or board wipes can help mitigate the damage and card draw advantage that it provides. Moreover, keep an eye on enchantment removal options at your disposal, as getting rid of Stensia Banquet directly will cease its benefits entirely.

Maintaining a steady pace and pressure on your opponent can also shift the game in your favor. By playing defensively and avoiding overextending your creatures, you can navigate around the card’s strengths. Counterspells and hand disruption are useful tools as well. They can prevent Stensia Banquet from hitting the field altogether or strip it from your opponent’s grip before they have a chance to capitalize on its amplifying effects.

In short, dealing with creatures that fuel Stensia Banquet’s power or disposing of the enchantment itself are effective strategies to nullify the card’s impact in your MTG matches. Stay proactive and adapt your strategy to contain the vampire onslaught that Stensia Banquet aims to unleash.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stensia Banquet MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Stensia Banquet and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stensia Banquet has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-07-13	The number of Vampires you control is counted only as Stensia Banquet resolves.
2016-07-13	You may cast Stensia Banquet targeting an opponent even if you control no Vampires. You’ll still draw a card.