Strict Proctor MTG Card


Works as a powerful deterrent, influencing opponents’ play choices and their deck’s triggered abilities. While it doesn’t directly ramp mana, it can conserve resources by offsetting removal spell needs. Provides strategic edge within the current meta by disrupting commonly used ETB combo plays.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit Cleric
Abilities Flying
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying Whenever a permanent entering the battlefield causes a triggered ability to trigger, counter that ability unless its controller pays .

"You might believe being dead for centuries has made me more lenient. I think you'll find the opposite to be true."


Cards like Strict Proctor

The Strict Proctor belongs to a unique breed of creatures in MTG that intricately blend annoy-your-opponent effects with utility. When holding it up against a card like Hushbringer, both share the goal of shutting down triggered abilities. Strict Proctor takes a slightly different approach, taxing the opponent rather than outright denying the ability. While Hushbringer is a blanket suppression tool, the cost that Strict Proctor imposes allows it a more tactical edge in certain situations.

Looking at Leonin Arbiter, a card that similarly hinders an opponent’s search strategies, we see parallels. Both enforce a tax for common actions. Yet, Strict Proctor’s ability to curb a broader spectrum of triggered abilities from any permanent, not just lands, gives its users a more versatile tool for controlling the flow of the game.

Considering versatility and the tactical advantages in gameplay, Strict Proctor indeed finds its niche in MTG as a formidable creature capable of adding substantial depth to gameplay, offering a strategic component that goes beyond the mere restriction of the opponent’s triggers.

Hushbringer - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Hushbringer - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Strict Proctor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-03
Azorius Lotus FieldAzorius Lotus Field PioneerAzorius Lotus FieldPioneer League 2024-05-08

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Strict Proctor gives players an advantage by potentially limiting opponents’ strategies that rely heavily on creature or enchantment enter-the-battlefield triggers, effectively negating potential card gains for them.

Resource Acceleration: While Strict Proctor doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can save mana by preventing the need to cast spells aimed at removing problematic permanents after they’ve triggered abilities.

Instant Speed: Although Strict Proctor itself isn’t an instant, it has a persistent effect on the game that forces opponents to consider the risk of paying extra whenever they would trigger an ability, tipping the pace of battle in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Strict Proctor doesn’t directly require discarding, it can inadvertently force discard if its ability prevents you from casting a creature with an enter-the-battlefield effect when your hand is full.

Specific Mana Cost: Strict Proctor’s mana cost includes white, which may not be ideal for multi-colored decks that don’t prioritize white mana or have a heavy focus on other colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its two mana cost is a considerable investment for an early game play, especially when other lower-cost cards could be used to establish board presence or mana fixing more efficiently.


Reasons to Include Strict Proctor in Your Collection

Versatility: Strict Proctor’s ability to counter triggered abilities offers flexibility in deck building. It can be a strategic addition not only in control decks that aim to restrict opponents’ plays but also in decks that don’t heavily rely on enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects.

Combo Potential: This card has the unique capability to shut down various combos reliant on ETB triggers, which could be used to your advantage. It can also be tactically paired with your own ETB triggers that you may opt out of for a strategic advantage.

Meta-Relevance: With a myriad of ETB effects present in the current meta, incorporating Strict Proctor can give you an edge by potentially disrupting your opponents’ game plans while establishing control over the field.


How to Beat Strict Proctor

Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Strict Proctor presents a challenge with its ability to hinder players’ strategies involving entering the battlefield effects. The creature can be a roadblock, particularly when you rely on creatures or enchantments that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects essential for advancing your board state. To effectively navigate this obstacle, it’s pivotal to have a plan in place.

One strategy to bypass the restrictions imposed by Strict Proctor is to use removal spells before deploying your key spells with entering the battlefield triggers. Targeted removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispose of the Proctor, allowing your spells to resolve without the taxing effect. Another tactic involves countering spells that attempt to bring Strict Proctor into play — a well-timed Counterspell or Negate can ensure the creature never sets foot on the battlefield.

Moreover, there are also less direct methods such as employing creatures with haste to apply immediate pressure, or using non-enter-the-battlefield strategies, focusing on landfall, prowess, or other mechanics that Strict Proctor does not affect. Having a diverse game plan enables players to adapt and thrive even in the presence of potential impediments like Strict Proctor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an ever-evolving challenge, and cards like Strict Proctor can play a pivotal role in honing your strategic edge. By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can better dictate the flow of the game and outmaneuver opponents. If controlling the field and fine-tuning your tactics sounds like your next quest, then diving deeper into the world of MTG tactical play is a must. Let us guide you in incorporating cards like Strict Proctor into your arsenal, ensuring your decks are not just good, but meta-defining. Elevate your MTG experience; join us to learn more and optimize your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Strict Proctor MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Strict Proctor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Strict Proctor Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-24. Illustrated by Jokubas Uogintas.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 899782015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
22021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 33★2015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
32021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 2942015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
42021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 332015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
52021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 33p2015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
62021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 33s2015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Strict Proctor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 Abilities that trigger when something else causes an ability to trigger will always go on the stack after the ability that caused them to trigger. For example, Strict Proctor’s ability will always resolve before the triggered ability that caused it to trigger does. This is a change from previous rules.
2021-04-16 Effects that modify how a creature enters the battlefield are not triggered abilities and are not affected by Strict Proctor’s ability. These include (but aren’t limited to) effects that have a permanent enter the battlefield as a copy of another permanent, effects that have a permanent enter with counters, and effects that have a permanent enter tapped.
2021-04-16 Triggered abilities use the word “when,” “whenever,” or “at.” They’re often written as “
-rigger condition],
-ffect].”