Clergy en-Vec MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	14
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Clergy en-Vec’s ability to shield creatures or players bolsters your strategic defenses in MTG.
Its low casting cost and instant speed activation enable nimble and efficient deck maneuvering.
Balancing the card’s discard requirement with its protective benefit is key to its effective use.

Text of card

oc T: Prevent 1 damage to any creature or player.

"Faith's shield is hammered out by the blows of unbelievers." —Oracle *en*-Vec

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clergy en-Vec doesn’t provide direct card draw; however, its ability to prevent damage to target creature or player can indirectly result in card advantage by preserving your key creatures on the battlefield longer than they might otherwise survive.

Resource Acceleration: Although Clergy en-Vec itself doesn’t accelerate resources in terms of mana, its low casting cost makes it a cost-efficient addition to your battlefield, saving mana for other spells and strategies.

Instant Speed: Clergy en-Vec’s ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. This strategic timing can protect high-value targets from unexpected threats, effectively disrupting opponent’s plans.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Clergy en-Vec, preparing for its ability necessitates a card to be discarded. This means that using its effect could deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building around this card requires a commitment to white mana. If your mana base isn’t solidly white or you’re running a multi-colored deck, consistently casting it could pose an issue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating its mana-to-impact ratio, the Clergy en-Vec might not stack up favorably. With a casting cost that includes two white mana, players might find it challenging to justify its place over lower cost creatures that offer similar levels of board presence or utility.

Reasons to Include Clergy en-Vec in Your Collection

Versatility: Clergy en-Vec is a card that offers multiple roles in gameplay. Its ability to prevent damage to target creature or player gives it defensive capabilities, making it adaptable to various board situations where damage mitigation is key.

Combo Potential: Its prevention ability can be a piece of combos or synergies, particularly in decks that capitalize on preventing damage or utilizing life totals as a resource for strategic advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Clergy en-Vec serves as a valuable tool to thwart fast-paced assaults, providing staying power for decks that need time to set up their win conditions or stabilize the board.

How to beat

Clergy en-Vec presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This creature card can be quite the pest with its power to gain life consistently. The ability to tap and give you life equal to the power of target attacking or blocking Spirit is what defines its resilience and staying power in the right deck. When matched against a spirit-heavy deck, Clergy en-Vec’s capacity for continual life gain can become a frustrating obstacle.

Overcoming Clergy en-Vec demands a strategic approach. Removal spells that can bypass protection mechanics are highly effective. Consider utilizing cards that can exile such as Path to Exile or Direct removal like Terminate that can target it regardless of its protections. Additionally, employing strategies that limit the opportunity for the Clergy en-Vec to activate its ability is crucial. This could involve playing sweepers to clear the board or using disruptive spells to keep your opponent’s spirits at bay.

Understanding Clergy en-Vec’s strengths and synergies is key to subduing its impact in the game. By prioritizing removal and disruption, you can mitigate the life gain advantage this card supplies within MTG matches, thereby neutralizing one of your opponent’s potential paths to victory.

Cards like Clergy en-Vec

Clergy en-Vec is an intriguing creature that offers more than meets the eye in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. When matched with other cards such as Mother of Runes, Clergy en-Vec brings a unique skill set to the battlefield. Mother of Runes provides a similar ability to protect creatures but with greater flexibility, as she can target any creature and can also protect from colorless spells. Nonetheless, Clergy en-Vec boasts an enhanced toughness, making it a sturdier option overall.

Comparisons can also be drawn to Benevolent Bodyguard, a creature with a similar protective ability. Bodyguard, however, can only be used once as a sacrificial protector, while Clergy en-Vec continues to provide enduring defense throughout the game. In addition, there’s Alseid of Life’s Bounty, offering not only protection but also lifelink as a bonus. Although Alseid can target any permanent and acts as an enchantment creature, its one-time usage contrasts with the Clergy en-Vec’s ongoing protective capabilities.

Ultimately, Clergy en-Vec maintains a position as a reliable protector in player’s decks. Its continuous defensive ability, especially targeted at black and red spells, makes it a valuable asset for sustaining your gameplay through multiple turns, emphasizing its strategic use in MTG confrontations.

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions

Alseid of Life's Bounty - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Clergy en-Vec by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clergy en-Vec MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Clergy en-Vec and other MTG cards: