Devout Lightcaster MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Kor Cleric
Abilities	Protection
Released	2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar
Set code	ZEN
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	10
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Shelly Wan

Key Takeaways

Devout Lightcaster maximizes impact against black permanents, offering a targeted control element in games.
Mono-white or heavy white decks best leverage this card’s single-colored mana cost for efficient play.
Knowing when to deploy the Lightcaster for its exile ability ensures optimal use and board influence.

Text of card

Protection from black When Devout Lightcaster enters the battlefield, exile target black permanent.

"Goddess, grant us light to banish the world's shadows." —Prayer to Kamsa

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Devout Lightcaster allows you to exile a target black permanent, which can potentially remove an opponent’s card while preserving your own on the board. This effect can create a favorable balance in card presence, contributing to your advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Devout Lightcaster itself doesn’t directly produce additional mana or acceleration, its ability to remove problematic permanents can indirectly speed up your game plan by clearing the way for your more impactful spells.

Instant Speed: Devout Lightcaster’s ability triggers upon entering the battlefield, which, when combined with flash-enabling spells or effects, can be utilized at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at critical moments, much like an instant.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Devout Lightcaster does not have a discard requirement, but holding it until there’s a valid target for its exile effect might force you to forego playing other cards from your hand, effectively behaving like a self-imposed discard constraint.

Specific Mana Cost: Devout Lightcaster’s casting cost requires three white mana which could be challenging in multicolored decks, limiting its playability predominantly to mono-white or decks with a heavy white component.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost, the Lightcaster may come into play later than ideal. Given that the card’s power level is closely tied to the presence of opposing black permanents, its mana cost might not always align with the tempo of removing those targets efficiently.

Reasons to Include Devout Lightcaster in Your Collection

Versatility: Devout Lightcaster is a dynamic option for White-based decks. Its ability to exile target black permanent is useful in various situations, particularly against decks that rely heavily on black permanents.

Combo Potential: This card works well with other pieces that can manipulate the battlefield or benefit from the removal of opposing threats. Its synergy with “protection from black” effects can create strategic advantage and surprise interactions during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where black decks are prevalent, Devout Lightcaster shines by providing a targeted solution to some of the most troublesome permanents. It’s an asset in a deck builder’s toolkit when preparing for a meta where black cards hold significant sway.

How to Beat Devout Lightcaster

Devout Lightcaster presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, specifically targeting opponents who favor black permanents. Its enters-the-battlefield ability can exile target black permanent, a prowess that can be quite disruptive. To effectively counter this card, flexibility in your deck’s color scheme could be pivotal. Consider broadening your array of non-black permanents to minimize the impact of the Lightcaster’s ability.

Another critical strategy is to take advantage of the timing of the Lightcaster’s ability. It only activates when the card enters the battlefield, so utilizing instant-speed removal in anticipation of its arrival can prevent your black permanents from being exiled. Counterspells are also effective in ensuring Devout Lightcaster never hits the board in the first place, circumventing its ability entirely.

Lastly, redirecting the focus of your own deck to either go underneath it with a faster aggro strategy or over it with a more powerful late-game could also be key. Devout Lightcaster, while potent in its niche, may underperform against decks that don’t rely heavily on black permanents or those that can outpace its midrange tempo.

Cards like Devout Lightcaster

Devout Lightcaster carves a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering’s array of creatures with protective abilities. It shares traits with Silver Knight, having protection from a color that defines its resilience within the game. However, Devout Lightcaster takes it a step further by specifically targeting black permanents upon entry, exiling them and disrupting the opponent’s board state.

Another peer in this specialized group is Auriok Champion, possessing protection from both black and red. While it doesn’t directly exile cards, its persistent presence on the battlefield and ability to passively strengthen your life total with its lifelink feature makes it a formidable ally. Then, we have Fiendslayer Paladin, also enjoying protection from black, and with the added advantage of being resistant to red spells. However, his lack of a direct impact, such as the exiling effect of Devout Lightcaster, makes their uses distinct in strategy.

In essence, when comparing these vigilant guardians of the plane, Devout Lightcaster emerges as a potent choice for those looking to proactively manage opponents’ black dominated boards, while remaining shielded behind its protective ability.

Cards similar to Devout Lightcaster by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devout Lightcaster MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Devout Lightcaster and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Devout Lightcaster has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Devout Lightcaster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2009-10-01	Devout Lightcaster’s triggered ability isn’t optional. When it enters the battlefield, if you’re the only player that controls a black permanent, you’ll have to target a black permanent you control.