Shepherd of the Lost MTG Card
Key Takeaways
- Provides board control with flying, first strike, and token creation abilities.
- Synergizes well in Angel and Soldier tribal decks, enhancing overall strategy.
- Presents a sturdy presence against shifting meta, especially with flying dominance.
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, first strike, vigilance
www.MagicTheGathering.com www.mtg-jp.com
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Featuring first strike and an ability to generate flying tokens, Shepherd of the Lost gives players an edge in both offensive and defensive situations. This versatility enables the control of the board by creating multiple threats, ensuring that your hand translates directly into power on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Although Shepherd of the Lost doesn’t directly accelerate resources in a typical mana-generating way, its angelic presence can deter opponents from attacking. This often results in maintaining your life total and conserving resources that would otherwise be spent on defending yourself or recovering from hits.
Instant Speed: While Shepherd of the Lost isn’t an instant itself, the flying tokens it produces can be a sudden surprise for opponents, especially when they are generated right before your turn begins. These tokens can act as pseudo instant-speed blockers or attackers, depending on the state of the game, which can be a pivotal and timely advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect to consider with Shepherd of the Lost is the potential deck strategies that may compel you to discard cards. While the Shepherd itself does not have a discard requirement, its synergy with other cards might steer you toward discarding as part of your strategy. This can be a drawback if you’re not prepared or if your hand is already sparse.
Specific Mana Cost: Shepherd of the Lost demands a very specific mana investment, needing two white mana plus three of any other type to be played. This can be a stumbling block in multicolor decks where mana sources are spread across various types, potentially delaying the casting of this angel or contesting with other mana-hungry cards in your hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana for a 3/3 creature with flying, first strike, and vigilance might seem steep, especially when there are creatures with similar abilities that might require less mana. The mana you invest in Shepherd of the Lost could possibly be directed towards creatures or spells that offer greater impact or synergy with the rest of your deck at a lesser cost.
Reasons to Include Shepherd of the Lost in Your Collection
Versatility: Shepherd of the Lost brings diverse functionality to any deck, easily finding a home in Angel-focused tribal builds or control-style white decks. Its ability to act as both an offensive threat and a defensive asset with flying and first strike makes it a flexible choice for players.
Combo Potential: Featuring two robust creature types, Angel and Soldier, this card synergizes with a myriad of others, supporting strategies focused on tribal buffs or mechanics that key off either creature type. Its keywords also enable interactions with cards that capitalize on flying or first-strike abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flyers are dominant or in formats where first strike can significantly impact combat outcomes, Shepherd of the Lost stands out as an apt choice. It is able to keep pace with the shifting demands of the meta, serving both as a formidable deterrent to attackers and a potent airborne threat.
How to beat
Shepherd of the Lost stands out in MTG as a formidable flying creature, offering both a sturdy defense and a credible threat to opponents. Commonly compared to cards like Serra Angel, it has the ability to change the dynamics of a game with its vigilant nature. Unlike Serra Angel, Shepherd of the Lost packs an additional punch with its ability to deter enemy creatures through its secondary role as a deathtouch sentinel.
To effectively counter this celestial guardian, removal spells that bypass its flying capability are a must. Introducing spells such as Murder or Doom Blade into your deck can neutralize this threat before its impact resonates on the battlefield. Another strategy lies in using board wipes like Wrath of God to clear all creatures, ensuring Shepherd of the Lost’s influence is short-lived.
In the grand scheme, understanding and deploying the right countermeasures can nullify Shepherd of the Lost’s presence in a match. Incorporating targeted removal or universal sweepers can help maintain control of the game, mitigating the potential dominance this angelic overseer could otherwise assert.
Cards like Shepherd of the Lost
The allure of Shepherd of the Lost lies in its multifaceted role on the battlefield. This card is a prime figure in Magic: The Gathering thanks to its flying ability, making it an evasive threat. Its kinship could be seen with other flying creatures like Serra Angel. What makes Shepherd of the Lost stand out is the combination of flying with first strike, enabling it to both dish out and evade damage effectively.
Comparable alternatives include Baneslayer Angel, which boasts not only flying and first strike but also lifelink and protection from demons and dragons, providing a broader spectrum of defense and life-gain. Yet, Shepherd of the Lost’s inclusion in your deck could be better due to its lower mana cost, offering a quicker presence in play. On another note, Archangel of Tithes presents itself as a similar challenge to opponents with its imposing on-board effects that control combat, yet it lacks the direct offensive capabilities of first strike.
Evaluating these considerations, Shepherd of the Lost presents a well-rounded choice for players looking for aerial dominance and early combat advantage, marking its position in the pantheon of versatile creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Shepherd of the Lost by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shepherd of the Lost MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and URL/Convention Promos, 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 Shepherd of the Lost and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Shepherd of the Lost Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-02-09 and 2009-10-02. Illustrated by Kekai Kotaki.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43550 | 2003 | normal | black | Kekai Kotaki | ||
| 2 | 2009-02-09 | URL/Convention Promos | PURL | 34★ | 2003 | normal | black | Kekai Kotaki | |
| 3 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 34 | 2003 | normal | black | Kekai Kotaki |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shepherd of the Lost has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
