Sentry of the Underworld MTG Card


Sentry of the Underworld - Theros
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Griffin Skeleton
Abilities Flying, Vigilance
Released2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set nameTheros
Set codeTHS
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number202
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDave Kendall

Key Takeaways

  1. Vigilance and flying make Sentry a recurring airborne threat capable of dodging common removal tactics.
  2. The card’s regeneration leads to sustained board presence, becoming a persistent challenge for opponents.
  3. Its specific mana cost and discard condition require strategic deck building and careful resource management.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying, vigilance , Pay 3 life: Regenerate Sentry of the Underworld.

When Athreos gathers the newly dead to be ferried across the Five Rivers That Ring the World, he sends skeletal griffins to fetch those who stray.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sentry of the Underworld provides an edge in card economy by offering a flying and vigilance creature that presents a recurring threat on the board. Its ability to return from the graveyard ensures that you can maintain pressure without losing card resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Sentry of the Underworld can indirectly accelerate your resources by deterring opponents from attacking, saving your life total and preventing costly blocks. This allows you to allocate more mana towards game-winning strategies.

Instant Speed: The revival ability of Sentry of the Underworld can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to bring it back during the end step of your opponent’s turn. This feature introduces an element of surprise and allows you to efficiently utilize your mana each turn, keeping your options open for other spells and tactics.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Sentry of the Underworld requires a discard from your hand to activate certain abilities, which could deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage, especially in the late game where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both white and black mana, the Sentry of the Underworld’s inclusion in a deck can be restrictive, necessitating a specifically tailored mana base that supports multicolor card play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, this creature comes at a significant investment. Considering other creatures and spells available at the same or lower costs, the Sentry may not always be the most mana-efficient option for your strategy, particularly in fast-paced games where tempo is crucial.


Reasons to Include Sentry of the Underworld in Your Collection

Versatility: Sentry of the Underworld offers a durable flyer that can defend your life total as effectively as it can press the attack. Its ability to regenerate makes it a resilient threat and defender in decks that can afford the hybrid mana cost.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with life gain strategies or decks that utilize graveyard synergies. Its regeneration ability can be exploited in combos that require a creature to stay on the battlefield or to continuously block opponent’s creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where aggressive strategies are common, Sentry of the Underworld can serve as a robust obstacle due to its flying and substantial toughness. Its presence in your collection ensures that you have a reliable option against a myriad of decks circulating in the meta.


How to beat

Sentry of the Underworld is a creature card that combines defensive capabilities with a potential for resilience in the game. This flying vigilance creature has the noteworthy ability to regenerate, which allows it to withstand what would normally be a game-ending blow for most creatures. When gearing up to remove Sentry of the Underworld from the battlefield, it’s essential to employ tactics that circumvent its regeneration ability.

One effective strategy includes using spells that don’t destroy but exile the creature, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, sidestepping the regeneration entirely. Additionally, applying -X/-X effects can prove fatal to Sentry of the Underworld, as these effects are not considered as damage and hence regeneration won’t save it. Cards like Toxic Deluge or Mutilate sweep through and can effectively handle Sentry without it having a chance to come back. Finally, using counter spells to prevent Sentry of the Underworld from entering the battlefield in the first place can be a key play, saving resources for other threats that might come your way.

Overall, facing Sentry of the Underworld requires precise removal or pre-emptive measures to ensure that this vigilant guardian doesn’t become an insurmountable obstacle on your path to victory.


Cards like Sentry of the Underworld

Sentry of the Underworld is an intriguing card for players looking to balance offense with defense. This powerful creature boasts vigilance and flying, akin to other notable creatures like Griffin Sentinel. However, the Sentry adds a unique twist with its regeneration ability, which isn’t found on the Sentinel, offering it an edge in sustainability on the battlefield. While both can control the skies, the ability to resist removal sets Sentry apart.

Comparing to Mourning Thrull, both cards feature the ability to gain life upon dealing combat damage. Yet, Sentry of the Underworld demands a larger mana investment and provides a stronger body in the air. The key difference lies in Sentry’s regeneration, which makes it more resilient and a recurring threat. Conversely, Mourning Thrull is easier to play early game due to its lower cost.

In essence, while analyzing cards similar to Sentry of the Underworld, it’s evident that it brings a powerful combination of abilities to the table. Vigilance, flying, and especially its regeneration capacity give it an outstanding role in many strategies that require a strong, enduring aerial presence.

Griffin Sentinel - MTG Card versions
Mourning Thrull - MTG Card versions
Griffin Sentinel - Magic 2010 (M10)
Mourning Thrull - Guildpact (GPT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sentry of the Underworld MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Sentry of the Underworld and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sentry of the Underworld has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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