Vent Sentinel MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 171
2014-06-06 - Number 156
2017-11-17 - Number 153
2019-11-07 - Number 1094
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-153
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Defender , : Vent Sentinel deals damage to target player equal to the number of creatures with defender you control.
"Zendikar fortifies itself against the Great Threat, making sentries of sky, sea, and stone." —*The War Diaries*
Cards like Vent Sentinel
Vent Sentinel stands out in MTG as a unique defender with a direct damage capability. It finds its peers in cards like Lobber Crew and Gelectrode, which also deal damage without attacking. Lobber Crew can untap and deal damage to each opponent each turn, but it doesn’t offer the scaling power of Vent Sentinel, which increases its damage output with each defender you control. Meanwhile, Gelectrode allows for repeated damage-dealing, but it’s dependent on playing spells to untap, unlike Vent Sentinel’s fixed fee to deal its damage.
The card Wall of Tanglecord also shares the defender trait, yet it lacks any form of direct damage, relying solely on its robust defense to impact the game. Comparatively, Vent Sentinel enables an offensive tactic even with a board full of defenders. Another similar card is Doorkeeper, which can mill an opponent’s deck based on the number of defenders you control. However, its effect targets the library rather than dealing direct damage to the opponent’s life total.
Assessing the role of Vent Sentinel alongside these cards unveils a unique defensive strategy in MTG, where aligning multiple defenders not only strengthens your defenses but also turns into a potentially game-ending damage source.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Vent Sentinel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Walls Combo | Pauper | Walls Cascade | Pauper | The Mythic Store // La Boutique Mythique - Quebec City |
| Walls Cascade | Pauper | Walls Cascade | Lega Pauper Napoli - IV Tappa |
 | Walls Scombo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Tappa Lega Comense Pauperissima @ Magic Akiba |
| Wall Combo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 1^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vent Sentinel stands out by offering an alternative win condition that doesn’t rely solely on combat. By accumulating multiple Sentinels, you can steadily weaken your opponent’s life total. This card becomes a key piece in defender-based decks, where each defender you play not only protects you but also enhances the Sentinel’s ability.
Resource Acceleration: While Vent Sentinel itself doesn’t directly influence your mana resources, it synergizes well with ramp cards that bring defenders onto the battlefield quickly. This synergy maximizes your mana usage as you build a formidable defense while preparing for a powerful offensive ability activation.
Instant Speed: The real strength of Vent Sentinel is its instant-speed ability, allowing you to unleash damage on your opponent during their turn. This not only creates a sense of unpredictability but also lets you efficiently utilize your mana each turn, keeping opponents guessing whether you are holding up mana for Vent Sentinel’s ability or other instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Necessitates the holding of multiple defenders to fully utilize its ability, potentially forcing suboptimal plays or deck designs to meet this criteria.
Specific Mana Cost: Vent Sentinel requires a precise combination of mana — one red and three of any other color — which may not always align with deck strategies that are heavier on other colors or multi-color focused.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The sentinel comes with a mana cost that some players find steep for a creature with its stats. Its ability, while potentially powerful, takes time to set up, meaning it could lag behind lower-cost creatures that can impact the board sooner.
Reasons to Include Vent Sentinel in Your Collection
Versatility: Vent Sentinel shines in decks that harness the power of defenders. It’s a key player in any wall-based strategy and its ability to deal damage directly to opponents scales beautifully with the number of defenders you control.
Combo Potential: This card becomes a threat when combined with cards that can search for and deploy numerous defenders quickly. Pairing Vent Sentinel with cards such as Overgrown Battlement or Axebane Guardian can produce a formidable defense while setting up a consistent damage mechanism.
Meta-Relevance: Given its unique mechanics, Vent Sentinel can catch many popular decks off guard. In a meta where the focus is on creature-based combat, having a strong defensive presence that doubles as a reliable win condition can give any deck an unexpected edge.
How to beat
Vent Sentinel is an intriguing card that delivers a unique strategy to the battlefield for defending players in Magic: The Gathering. This card presents a tough challenge for opponents, as it can repeatedly deal damage based on the number of defenders on the board. Overcoming this persistent threat requires a targeted approach.
One effective tactic is to limit the number of defenders on your opponent’s side. Spot removal spells can efficiently deal with creatures one by one, diminishing the threat Vent Sentinel poses. Creature-destroying spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile are precise tools against this strategy. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, sweeping away multiple defenders in one fell swoop, and with them, the potency of Vent Sentinel’s ability.
In essence, the key to beating a Vent Sentinel lies in controlling your opponent’s creatures. By maintaining a low number of defenders on their side, you can nullify the power of Vent Sentinel, turning it into a mere wall without its usual bite. Responsive play and strategic removal are your best bets to triumph against this formidable sentinel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vent Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Conspiracy, 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 Vent Sentinel 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 Vent Sentinel Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 171 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 156 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 3 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1094 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | IMA-153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vent Sentinel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |