Tethmos High Priest MTG Card
2014-05-02 - Number 29
2018-12-07 - Number 40
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Cat Cleric |
| Abilities | Heroic |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Tethmos High Priest, return target creature card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"Death is tyranny. Like all tyranny, it must be opposed."
Cards like Tethmos High Priest
Exploring utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering often leads to interesting discoveries, such as Tethmos High Priest. This particular card shines in strategies revolving around small creatures. Like Tethmos High Priest, Loyal Cathar is a card that is also adept at coming back from the graveyard, albeit with a transformed identity offering nightbound capabilities. Both are valuable for their resilience on the battlefield.
Another card warranting comparison is Alesha, Who Smiles at Death. Alesha has the power to resurrect small creatures directly to the battlefield, much like the priest, but does so while attacking and without the requirement of targeting from an instant or sorcery. However, Tethmos High Priest does not require an attack and can be more defensive in nature.
Prioritizing revival, Bodyguard is a low-cost creature with an analogous trigger condition reliant on spells, akin to Tethmos High Priest. Though not providing the same recurrent advantage, its ability to protect a creature provides a different angle of utility. When it comes to gameplay strategies, the Priest’s synergies with spellcasting can integrate seamlessly into decks focused on recurring value from the graveyard, offering a unique tactical advantage that stands out among other resurrection-based cards.
Cards similar to Tethmos High Priest by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Tethmos High Priest. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Selesnya Gates | Pauper | Monthly Tournament #33 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tethmos High Priest has an ability that can recur smaller creatures from the graveyard whenever you cast a spell that targets it. This constant potential to return creatures to the battlefield helps maintain a presence on the board and replaces expended resources effectively, giving players more options and added resilience against board wipes.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana. However, by effectively reusing creatures from the graveyard, Tethmos High Priest can accelerate your field presence without spending additional mana on casting those creatures from your hand, thereby saving valuable resources for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Tethmos High Priest’s ability can be utilized at instant speed as it triggers whenever you cast an instant targeting it. This allows for surprise interactions and advantageous plays during your opponent’s turn, creating unexpected shifts in the board state and forcing opponents to play around the potential for instant-speed creature recursion.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tethmos High Priest necessitates a certain condition to trigger its ability, such as sacrificing a creature. This could strain your resources, especially if you’re running low on creatures or holding onto key pieces for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement for white mana, Tethmos High Priest can be restrictive and perhaps not the best fit for multicolored decks that might struggle with color consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana to cast, Tethmos High Priest is on the higher end for creatures that offer a similar resurrection ability. There are alternatives available that might provide more immediate or cost-effective benefits, making it less appealing for decks aiming for efficiency or speed.
Reasons to Include Tethmos High Priest in Your Collection
Versatility: Tethmos High Priest offers a dynamic role in decks that harness creatures. With its ability to return smaller creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield, it can be a key player in strategies focused on resilience or recurring value.
Combo Potential: This card unlocks numerous combo possibilities, particularly in decks that focus on creature-based tactics. By pairing with sacrifice outlets or creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, Tethmos High Priest can become a repeatable source of utility and advantage.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the fluctuating dynamics of your local gameplay environment, the High Priest is a worthwhile inclusion. Its ability to recapture key creatures can disrupt opponent strategies and maintain your board presence, making it a useful card against a variety of decks.
How to beat
Tethmos High Priest is a unique creature in MTG that can be quite a puzzle to play against. Its ability to resurrect small creatures from the graveyard can quickly turn the tide of a match, making it a target that requires a strategic approach to defeat. Addressing Tethmos High Priest efficiently means disrupting this revival cycle.
Removal spells that exile such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are particularly effective as they ensure the Priest does not get an opportunity to use its ability. Board wipes can clear the path as well, but timing is crucial; wiping after the Priest’s ability has been activated only leads to a recurring problem. Utilizing graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can also permanently solve the issue by ensuring there are no targets for the Priest to bring back.
Strategically, focusing on your removal and disruption tools to prevent the Tethmos High Priest from activating its ability is key. Denying your opponent the chance to capitalize on its powers can swing the momentum of the game in your favor and lead you to victory against decks that rely on this resilient cleric.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tethmos High Priest MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Ultimate Masters, 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 Tethmos High Priest 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Tethmos High Priest Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-05-02 | Journey into Nyx | JOU | 29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tethmos High Priest 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 Tethmos High Priest card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger. |
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times. |
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability. |
| 2018-12-07 | If a card in a player's graveyard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |