Star Pupil MTG Card
2021-04-23 - Number 30
2021-04-23 - Number 5s
2021-04-23 - Number 5
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Key Takeaways
- Card offers value retention through its ability to transfer +1/+1 counters after death.
- Resource acceleration without additional mana enhances creature threat levels.
- Instant-speed interactions with Star Pupil can strategically alter combat dynamics.
Text of card
Star Pupil enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. When Star Pupil dies, put its counters on target creature you control.
"When I'm done here, they'll name entire buildings after me."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Star Pupil arrives on the battlefield ready to store and later transfer +1/+1 counters, effectively saving the value of these counters for future creatures, ensuring continuous utility and advantage from your investments on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Star Pupil’s ability to accumulate +1/+1 counters and pass them on upon death can rapidly escalate your other creatures’ threat levels, acting as a resource accelerator by strengthening your board position without the need for additional mana investment.
Instant Speed: Although Star Pupil itself is not an instant, its interactions with instant-speed spells and abilities can be pivotal. Its death-triggered ability to transfer +1/+1 counters can be aligned with instant-speed tricks to surprise your opponent and shift the power dynamic in combat, or in response to removal, thus maximizing the potential of your instant-speed resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In certain scenarios, having Star Pupil in your hand can feel demanding as it pressures you to contemplate the right moment for deployment, especially if you’re protecting key pieces and your hand size is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Being a white creature, Star Pupil demands a specific mana type, which might not synergize with decks that veer towards a broader color spectrum or those that are mana-intensive in other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deck builders might grapple with Star Pupil’s value proposition as its mana investment weighs against its potential impact on the game state. When comparing to other creatures within the same cost bracket, players may find that others offer a stronger board presence or more immediate effects.
Reasons to Include Star Pupil in Your Collection
Versatility: As a one-drop creature, Star Pupil fits seamlessly into a myriad of deck archetypes. Its +1/+1 counter synergy makes it an excellent addition to decks focused on proliferate mechanics or those that seek to exploit modular abilities.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with effects that distribute or double counters, allowing for powerful interactions. In combination decks, it can serve as a key component in creating unassailable creatures or engaging in surprise wins.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that emphasizes counter interactions or aggressive early gameplay, Star Pupil’s ability to scale and contribute to the dynamics of creature-based strategies makes it a card worth considering for any serious collection.
How to Beat Star Pupil
The Star Pupil card stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a modular creature that can create a lasting impact on the battlefield. Similar to the evolving mechanic seen in creatures such as Cloudfin Raptor, Star Pupil arrives at the game with +1/+1 counters that can be redistributed upon its demise. This can lead to powerful synergies within decks that thrive on counter manipulation and bolstering other creatures.
However, prevailing against this card requires strategizing. One approach involves limiting counter growth opportunities. Playing removal spells that exile, like Path to Exile or Dire Tactics, can ensure that Star Pupil does not get the chance to transfer its counters upon leaving the field. Another method is using general counter-strategies such as Solemnity, which prevents counters from being placed on creatures, effectively neutralizing Star Pupil’s key ability.
Utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God can also reset the momentum Star Pupil provides, especially before it has the chance to empower another creature. Combining these tactics with a focus on controlling the pace of the game and minimizing counter play opportunities will be crucial in triumphing over decks that feature this persistent creature.
Cards like Star Pupil
Star Pupil slides into the ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature card that stands out for its modular ability. In the realm of cards with similar vibes, you might compare it to Arcbound Worker, which similarly enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter. While both creatures share the modular trait, enabling counter transfer upon their demise, Star Pupil’s potential grows as it can accumulate multiple counters over the course of a game, unlike the fixed capacity of Arcbound Worker.
Examining this further, we encounter cards like Simic Initiate, which boasts graft and can spread counters among new creatures entering the battlefield. The flexibility is broader with Simic Initiate, yet, it lacks the automatic counter transfer capability that Star Pupil provides. Another interesting peer is Iron Bully, also graced with modular. Although it comes with a predefined counter like Arcbound Worker, Iron Bully carries the added benefit of menace, offering a slight edge in combat scenarios.
In the end, while various cards mirror parts of Star Pupil’s functionality, it is the capacity for compound growth that equips Star Pupil with a nuanced edge, nurturing its place as a strategic component in decks focused on synergy and gradual power amplification.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Star Pupil MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages and Strixhaven Art Series, 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 Star Pupil and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Star Pupil Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Howard Lyon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 2 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 5s | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Howard Lyon | ||
| 3 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 5 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Howard Lyon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Star Pupil 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Star Pupil 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 | If Star Pupil has -1/-1 counters on it when it dies, the last ability will include those as well. This may result in the recipient also dying. |
| 2021-04-16 | In some unusual cases, you may end up putting the appropriate counters on more than one permanent. For example, if you control The Ozolith when Star Pupil dies, you will put the appropriate number of each kind of counter onto both The Ozolith and the target creature. |
| 2021-04-16 | Star Pupil puts all of its counters onto the target creature, not just its +1/+1 counters. |
| 2021-04-16 | Star Pupil’s ability doesn’t cause you to move counters from itself to the target creature. Rather, you put the same number of each kind of counter Star Pupil had when it died onto that creature. |
