Testament Bearer MTG Card
2023-02-03 - Number 111
2023-02-03 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Warrior |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Testament Bearer dies, look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.
She proudly carries the weight of Phyrexia's creed, both figuratively and literally.
Cards like Testament Bearer
Testament Bearer is an intriguing creature card with a unique place among its counterparts in Magic the Gathering. It can be compared to other creature cards like Doomed Traveler, which also provides a benefit upon death by creating a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. However, Testament Bearer offers a slightly different advantage, giving a life boost in addition to the token creation upon its demise.
Looking at another similar card, Tithe Taker also comes to mind. While it doesn’t directly create tokens or life when it dies, it exerts control over the tempo by taxing opponents’ spells cast during your turn. Unlike Testament Bearer, Tithe Taker focuses more on disrupting opponents rather than providing a direct benefit when it leaves the battlefield. Then there’s Hunted Witness, a low-cost creature that, similarly to Testament Bearer, leaves behind a lifelink token after death. The difference being that while Hunted Witness only creates a token, Testament Bearer also bolsters your life total, potentially swaying the game in your favor.
In evaluating these cards, it’s evident that while each offers its own strategic advantage, Testament Bearer holds a unique position with the dual benefit of token generation and life gain, marking its utility in both offensive and defensive plays within Magic the Gathering.
Cards similar to Testament Bearer by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Testament Bearer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Mill | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Testament Bearer can put you ahead in the game by replenishing your hand each time it triggers. Whether through blocking or attacking, Testament Bearer ensures that you’re rewarded with new cards to keep your options open.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially drawing into additional land cards or mana-producing spells, Testament Bearer can indirectly contribute to your resource acceleration, ensuring that you have the means to cast more powerful spells sooner in the game.
Instant Speed: As a creature that can create advantages at instant speed, Testament Bearer allows you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield of MTG. You can respond to your opponent’s actions and maintain the element of surprise, turning the tide in your favor when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Testament Bearer’s effectiveness is somewhat diminished by its demand for you to drop another card from your hand. For players aiming to maintain card advantage, this can be a setback, especially when faced with a deck that pressures your hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost necessitates a precise mana arrangement which may not align with every deck’s strategy. This could pose a challenge for decks that run multiple colors or those that need greater flexibility with their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Testament Bearer might promise a powerful effect, its high mana cost can hinder your early-game tempo. Players might find themselves weighing the card’s potential impact against other options that could be executed sooner or with greater efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Testament Bearer is a flexible addition to various deck types. Its ability to potentially provide both creature support and graveyard interaction makes it a candidate for diverse strategies, making it a useful card in many deck-building scenarios.
Combo Potential: The card works well within combos that capitalize on lifegain or death triggers. Testament Bearer’s presence can amplify the effects of other cards, creating powerful synergies that can overwhelm opponents.
Meta-Relevance: Given its role in current gameplay strategies, Testament Bearer can be particularly effective against popular decks in the meta. Its functionality in a game can disrupt the opponent’s pace, making it a strategic choice against prominent deck archetypes.
How to beat
Testament Bearer is a unique creature card that brings both resilience and a hint of tactical depth to the battlefield in MTG. Known for its ability to dish out -1/-1 counters on creatures it blocks or gets blocked by, Testament Bearer can be a real thorn in your opponent’s side. Nevertheless, there are strategic moves you can implement to outmaneuver its effects and safeguard your creatures from its detrimental touch.
A straightforward approach is using removal spells that can target Testament Bearer directly, bypassing the need for combat altogether. Spells like Murder or Fatal Push allow you to dispose of the Testament Bearer before it becomes a nuisance. Additionally, flying creatures offer a robust solution since Testament Bearer lacks reach, making aerial attacks a safe and effective method to put pressure on your opponent. Another angle is employing creatures with the indestructible ability, nullifying the Testament Bearer’s putative advantage as your creatures remain unaffected by its ability.
Overall, while Testament Bearer can influence the board in significant ways, these strategies highlight that with careful planning and card selection, you can navigate around its presence and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Testament Bearer // Testament Bearer MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art Series and Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Testament Bearer // Testament Bearer and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Testament Bearer // Testament Bearer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Raluca Marinescu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art Series | AONE | 23 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Raluca Marinescu | ||
| 2 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One | ONE | 111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raluca Marinescu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Testament Bearer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |