Town Sentry MTG Card

Card advantage from vigilance allows active defense and offense, boosting board presence without compromising safety. Cost-effective for its abilities, it supports deck tempo and strategic resource allocation for control over the game. The discard requirement, specific mana, and higher cost are drawbacks that require careful deck integration and strategy.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	25
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Bradley Williams

Text of card

If Town Sentry blocks, it gets +0/+2 until the end of the turn.

"So he gots a sword. Big deal." "Yeah, it's a big deal—it's a big sword!" —Two goblins outside the gates of Trokin

Cards like Town Sentry

The Town Sentry card is not a lonely figure on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering; it stands among peers with similar roles. It can be easily compared to other creatures like Silvercoat Lion, a creature that also has a balanced 2/2 distribution for two mana. Yet, what sets Town Sentry apart is the potential it might have in future sets or its synergy with other cards of its set, which Silvercoat Lion may lack.

Guardian of the Pilgrims is another example. It’s a low-cost creature card that provides not just a body on the field but a modest benefit that can give an edge during the early game. However, unlike Town Sentry, it comes with a specific enter-the-battlefield ability, giving another creature a small power boost. Understandably, each card’s strength becomes apparent when put into the context of a player’s strategy and deck theme.

In evaluating Town Sentry’s place among MTG’s creatures, its straightforward nature gives deck builders an easy-to-understand base to work with. It promises a reliable addition to decks that favor solid creature stats without the need for complicated synergies or set-specific mechanics.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Town Sentry card shines when it comes to potential card advantage on the battlefield. With its vigilant nature, it allows you to have a constant defender while still being available to attack, subtly increasing your board presence without sacrificing your defense. This two-way utility means you effectively get more use out of a single card, which is crucial in the later stages of the game.

Resource Acceleration: Town Sentry may not directly produce additional resources, but its cost-effectiveness enables smooth deck pacing. At a reasonable mana cost for its stats and abilities, it efficiently contributes to sustaining your tempo, allowing you to play out your strategy while keeping resources available for other crucial plays. It’s a pivotal asset in strategies focused on steady growth and resource maximization.

Instant Speed: Although Town Sentry is not a card you can play at instant speed, its significance comes from its interaction with instant speed spells. Since it remains untapped during both your’s and your opponent’s turns due to vigilance, you can utilize mana for instant speed removal or combat tricks, secure in the knowledge that your defense remains up. This strategic flexibility is a notable advantage that should be leveraged by players to control the game’s pace.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of the Town Sentry card is the discard obligation that comes with its activated abilities. This can be detrimental during gameplay, especially when your hand is already running low on cards. Discarding can inadvertently deplete crucial resources that may be necessary for future turns, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Another limitation is its specific mana cost. Town Sentry requires a particular combination of mana to cast. This can sometimes restrict its inclusion to decks that are tailored to support those exact colors, potentially hindering its versatility across a broader range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, when evaluating the efficiency of Town Sentry, one has to consider its comparatively high mana cost. In a metagame where speed and efficiency are key, the cost to bring Town Sentry onto the field might not align with the current pace of competitive play. Players may find that other creatures or spells offer similar or better functionality at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Town Sentry can be a reliable inclusion in decks that emphasize defense and require creatures that can deter attacks. Its simple mana requirement makes it easy to cast in multicolor decks.

Combo Potential: With the right synergies, this card can be pivotal. Combining it with cards that boost its toughness or using equipment to enhance its abilities may turn Town Sentry into an unexpected threat on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive creature strategies are prevalent, having a steadfast defender like Town Sentry can be key to stabilizing the board and surviving the early to mid-game transitions, thus aligning well with the current meta.

How to beat

The Town Sentry card is a worthy opponent in any Magic: The Gathering match. It bolsters your defenses with its sturdy stats for a relatively low mana cost. Echoing the steadfastness of cards like Wall of Omens, Town Sentry can be a real roadblock for aggressive strategies. However, unlike the Wall of Omens, it doesn’t offer card draw, and its defensive capabilities are its main feature.

To outmaneuver Town Sentry, consider using removal spells that bypass its guard. Consider spells similar to Path to Exile for an efficient and definitive response. Additionally, flying creatures are a sensible alternative since Town Sentry, much like its cousin the Benalish Infantry, lacks reach and therefore cannot intercept flying assailants. Alternatively, spells that lower toughness, comparable to Dismember or those that offer -X/-X effects, can eliminate the sentry from the field, clearing a path for your creatures. Engage these strategies to ensure that your path to victory remains unguarded by such vigilant defenders.

Ultimately, breaking past Town Sentry requires either efficient removal or evasion techniques. Integrating these approaches into your playstyle will convert this obstacle into an opportunity for a strategic advantage during gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Town Sentry MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Town Sentry and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Town Sentry has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal