Xenk, Paladin Unbroken MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Knight |
| Abilities | Double strike |
| Released | 2019-12-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Secret Lair Drop |
| Set code | SLD |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 1237 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tatiana Vetrova & Jason Li |
Key Takeaways
- Xenk excels in card advantage, allowing players to filter their deck for optimal card draws based on the match.
- The card’s mana acceleration can propel players ahead, enabling impactful plays much sooner than opponents.
- Its instant speed interactions grant flexibility, providing strategic advantages during critical gameplay moments.
Text of card
Double strike Auras you control have exalted. (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each instance of exalted among permanents you control.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Xenk, Paladin Unbroken, you have the potential to pull ahead by filtering through your deck and accessing key cards more efficiently. This card’s ability to let you sift through your deck can be paramount when searching for the right response or threat at crucial points in the match.
Resource Acceleration: Xenk shines by ramping up your mana pool, giving you the upper hand in resource management. The acceleration is pivotal for outpacing opponents, allowing for more significant plays earlier on and keeping pressure on your adversary throughout the game.
Instant Speed: One of Xenk’s strengths is its flexibility, thanks to instant speed interaction. This allows maximum adaptability during gameplay, enabling you to respond to threats or optimize your strategy on the fly without committing resources until the most opportune moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect of Xenk, Paladin Unbroken that can be seen as a con is its discard requirement to activate certain abilities. This might deplete a player’s hand quickly, especially in a game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a specific mana cost that includes white mana, which could potentially restrict its integration to decks running that particular color. Players without a white mana base might find this card less flexible and more challenging to play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Xenk, Paladin Unbroken demands a relatively high mana investment to get on the battlefield. Compared to other creatures in its mana range, the card’s impact may not always justify the cost, especially when other options could provide greater immediate board presence or value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Xenk, Paladin Unbroken shows remarkable versatility with its ability to seamlessly integrate into a diverse array of deck strategies. Whether you’re bolstering your life total or applying pressure to your opponents, Xenk stands as a solid addition to any deck looking for a resilient creature.
Combo Potential: The synergistic possibilities with Xenk, Paladin Unbroken are substantial. This card opens up numerous combo avenues by interacting with life-gain triggers, equipment, and auras, solidifying its role as a linchpin in many powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: With a metagame that frequently shifts between aggro, control, and combo, Xenk, Paladin Unbroken maintains relevance by being adaptable. Its capabilities make it a valuable card against various decks, allowing it to hold its ground and often tip the scales in your favor during gameplay.
How to beat
Xenk, Paladin Unbroken carves a niche for itself in the world of Magic: The Gathering with its robust defensive abilities and potential for combo plays. To successfully navigate around Xenk’s defenses, consider cards that can bypass or remove creatures without triggering combat such as Path to Exile or Terminate. These spells allow you to remove Xenk without having to engage in a battle you’re likely to lose.
Additionally, cards causing players to sacrifice creatures can be highly effective, for instance, Diabolic Edict or Innocent Blood, sidestepping Xenk’s combat-focused abilities. If you lean towards control strategies, counter spells also work wonders by denying Xenk from ever entering the battlefield. Counterspell and Negate are viable options to keep Xenk at bay.
At its core, versatility in your deck to address this formidable adversary can make all the difference. Having a mix of removal, sacrificial effects, and counters ensures that you’re prepared to deal with Xenk, Paladin Unbroken and similar threats that come your way. In essence, while Xenk presents a challenge, the right toolkit in your deck can transform this challenge into a manageable obstacle.
Cards like Xenk, Paladin Unbroken
Xenk, Paladin Unbroken carves a unique niche in the realm of legendary creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities and stats can reasonably be compared to other legendary knights such as Aryel, Knight of Windgrace. Both characters stand out with utility and strength, yet Xenk, Paladin Unbroken elevates the game with its potential for increased power through its active on attack abilities. Whereas Aryel offers a consistent board presence with its vigilant and token-generating qualities.
Looking at Danitha Capashen, Paragon, there’s a similarity in terms of cost-effectiveness for equipment and aura spells, which is a strategic boon for decks focused on these card types. Although Danitha offers cost reductions and has a suite of built-in keywords like lifelink and first strike, Xenk’s potential for exponential growth via its synergy with Exalted and similar effects can outpace Danitha in sheer power gain over time.
By analyzing the abilities, cost, and synergy, Xenk, Paladin Unbroken presents a new dynamic to MTG players and suggests exciting opportunities, especially for those looking to harness the ongoing benefits of attacking with a lone but increasingly dominant creature.
Cards similar to Xenk, Paladin Unbroken by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xenk, Paladin Unbroken MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop, 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 Xenk, Paladin Unbroken 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 MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xenk, Paladin Unbroken has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |