Venser, the Sojourner Emblem MTG Card
| Type | Emblem — Venser |
| Released | 2012-03-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth |
| Set code | DDI |
| Number | 1 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Emblem |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Eric Deschamps |
Text of card
Whenever you cast a spell, exile target permanent.
Cards like Venser, the Sojourner Emblem
Venser, the Sojourner Emblem from Magic: The Gathering is a unique effect that grants permanents you own unblockable whenever you cast a spell. While there are no direct emblems to compare to, we can look at similar enchantments that tweak combat dynamics. Cloak of Invisibility is one such card that offers unblockable as a state to a single creature when equipped.
Another comparable card would be Trailblazer’s Boots, which indirectly makes a creature unblockable by assigning it a nonbasic landwalk. Though not as sweeping or permanent as an emblem’s effect, it similarly alters the capability of your creatures to avoid being blocked. On the other hand, Whisper Silk Cloak offers not only unblockable but also shroud, protecting the equipped creature from targeted spells and abilities. This mix of evasion and defense is highly valued but comes at the cost of equipping to one creature at a time, unlike the emblem’s broad effect.
While these cards offer evasion, the permanence and wide-ranging impact of Venser, the Sojourner Emblem place it in a category of its own, making it an exceptional asset for players who focus on tactical combat maneuvering and prefer spell casting synergies.
Cards similar to Venser, the Sojourner Emblem by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The emblem from Venser, the Sojourner provides a lasting benefit that can turn each of your spells into a potent threat. By granting your permanents unblockable status, it ensures you can consistently swing in for damage, effectively diminishing the need for additional card draws to find evasion-enabling spells.
Resource Acceleration: While the emblem itself does not directly produce mana or other resources, the ability to have unblockable creatures enables accelerated damage to your opponent, putting you in a position to end the game more quickly. Additionally, this emblem can be the key to leveraging cards that trigger upon dealing combat damage, potentially accelerating your resource advantage.
Instant Speed: Although the emblem is a byproduct of Venser’s ultimate ability and not an instant itself, it affects the battlefield permanently from the moment it’s created. This emblem has a pervasive impact that’s always ‘on,’ giving all your creatures an intrinsic advantage without needing to hold mana or wait for the right timing to cast. Once in place, every creature you play immediately benefits from this ability, effectively at what feels like ‘instant speed’.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Achieving Venser, the Sojourner’s emblem necessitates not only summoning the planeswalker but also activating his ultimate ability. This process can deplete other valuable resources in hand, particularly in configurations that are already resource-hungry.
Specific Mana Cost: The emblem is tied to Venser, the Sojourner, a card with a precise and somewhat restrictive mana cost, demanding both blue and white mana. Decks that can’t accommodate this dual mana requirement may struggle to use Venser’s emblem effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Venser himself comes with a high mana cost before you can even consider his emblem. With other planeswalkers or game-changing cards available at lower mana costs, players might find the initial investment steep, especially when the emblem itself doesn’t guarantee immediate board impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Venser, the Sojourner Emblem offers a unique and powerful effect that can turn the tide of the game in your favor. With the ability to exile any permanent you own and then return it to the battlefield under your control, this emblem can be utilized in a multitude of decks, particularly those with enter-the-battlefield effects or ones that benefit from dodging targeted removal.
Combo Potential: This emblem shines in setups that are built around combo strategies. It serves as a key piece in various game-ending combinations, allowing players to repeatedly leverage ETB triggers or simply protect combo pieces by temporarily removing them from the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing landscape of the competitive scene, the emblem remains relevant by providing a robust answer to an array of common threats. In environments where control and permanent-based strategies prevail, the emblem can significantly bolster your position, impacting your opponent’s plans and keeping you ahead in the long game.
How to beat
Overcoming the challenge of Venser, the Sojourner’s emblem in a game of Magic: The Gathering requires a mix of strategic planning and the right card choices. The emblem, which grants exile to any permanents your spells target, can seem daunting, especially as it creates a sense of inevitability for your opponent. However, a focused game plan can turn the tide. Cards like Abrupt Decay or Supreme Verdict that can’t be countered by spells or abilities provide a stronghold against the emblem’s effects, by removing threats without the chance of exile.
Additionally, strategies that rely less on targeting, such as causing players to sacrifice permanents, can circumvent the emblem’s mechanics. Think of edict effects – Liliana of the Veil or Crackling Doom, which force a player to sacrifice without targeting, thereby avoiding the emblem’s influence. Cards that change the rules of the game, like Solemnity, which prevents counters from being put on objects, including emblems, can also be instrumental. It narrows down the opponent’s advantages significantly.
In essence, the key to dismantling the power of Venser’s emblem lies in smart deck construction and a methodical approach to the game state, focusing on non-targeted removals and rule-altering cards.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Venser, the Sojourner Emblem MTG card by a specific set like Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Venser, the Sojourner Emblem and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
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