Venomous Hierophant MTG Card
2020-01-24 - Number 122
2024-02-23 - Number 125
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Gorgon Cleric |
| Abilities | Deathtouch,Mill |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Deathtouch When Venomous Hierophant enters the battlefield, put the top three cards of your library into your graveyard.
"Many have sought snake-twined Pharika's panacea. Do you wish to share their fate?"
Cards like Venomous Hierophant
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Venomous Hierophant echoes the mechanics found in creatures that meld deathtouch with additional abilities. Much like Deadly Recluse, the Venomous Hierophant poses a threat to opponents with deathtouch, ready to eliminate any creature it touches. However, what sets the Hierophant apart is its self-mill feature, allowing you to delve deeper into your library and potentially setting up advantageous plays from your graveyard.
Mire Triton is another creature card that mills upon entering the battlefield, although it mills fewer cards compared to the Hierophant. Still, Mire Triton offers lifegain—a valuable trait not seen on the Venomous Hierophant. On the flip side, Balustrade Spy offers a similar self-mill function but lacks the all-important deathtouch, granting the Hierophant an edge in creature combat.
In summary, the Venomous Hierophant finds its niche in decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies, coupled with the utility of deathtouch. Its ability to dissuade attackers, while fueling your own tactical maneuvers through self-mill, provides a distinct advantage in the intricate game states found within MTG’s dynamic play.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Venomous Hierophant brings solid card advantage to the table through its unique explore ability. When this creature enters the battlefield, you not only get to reveal the top card of your library, but you can either put it into your hand if it’s a land or into your graveyard with a valuable +1/+1 counter if not. This selectively fills your hand and buffs the Hierophant simultaneously.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially placing a land card into your hand when it enters the battlefield, the Venomous Hierophant can indirectly accelerate your resource development. Consistently hitting your land drops is fundamental in MTG, and this card nudges you toward that goal while contributing to onboard threats.
Instant Speed: Though the Venomous Hierophant does not operate at instant speed, its utility in setting up future plays can’t be underestimated. Its explore mechanic shapes your next move and prepares you for upcoming turns by providing information about what’s coming next in your deck, assisting in planning out your strategy with increased precision.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Venomous Hierophant requires you to discard a card to utilize its full potential. This can set you back, particularly when you’re already struggling with hand size, sacrificing valuable resources that could be crucial in later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Venomous Hierophant demands a specific mana type, which might not be conveniently accessible in all deck builds. This can complicate its inclusion in multicolor decks that are not heavily weighted toward the Hierophant’s mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be seen as steep for its stats and abilities, the Hierophant competes with other creatures and spells at this mana level. Players might find this cost restrictive, especially when other options might provide more immediate board impact or longer-term value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Venomous Hierophant offers a multifaceted approach to gameplay, seamlessly integrating with graveyard-centric decks or any strategy keen on self-mill for synergistic effects and resource advantage.
Combo Potential: Its ability to fill the graveyard can set the stage for powerful reanimation spells or enable delve mechanics, making it a subtle yet potent enabler for various combos.
Meta-Relevance: With graveyard strategies often surfacing in competitive play, Venomous Hierophant’s utility in those decks keeps it relevant and adaptable to shifting metagame trends.
How to beat Venomous Hierophant
Venomous Hierophant presents a challenge with its deathtouch ability, making it risky for creatures to block or be blocked by it. A reliable way to handle the Hierophant without direct combat is through the use of removal spells. Efficient examples include Path to Exile and Murder, which can dispatch the creature without engaging it on the battlefield.
Controlling the pace of the game is also essential. Counter spells, such as Counterspell or Negate, can prevent Venomous Hierophant from hitting the field in the first place. For those with creature-heavy strategies, evasion is key. Employing flyers or creatures with “cannot be blocked” abilities allows you to bypass the Hierophant entirely, pushing damage through without confrontation.
Lastly, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, eliminating Venomous Hierophant along with other threats. In conclusion, while Venomous Hierophant can be a formidable presence, a strategy incorporating removal, counters, evasion, or board wipes will mitigate its impact and keep your game plan on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Venomous Hierophant MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Venomous Hierophant 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 Venomous Hierophant Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Johannes Voss.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 122 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Venomous Hierophant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |