Ondu Cleric MTG Card


Ondu Cleric - Zendikar
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Kor Cleric Ally
Released2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar
Set codeZEN
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number30
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJim Murray

Key Takeaways

  1. Ondu Cleric offers significant life gain, countering aggro decks and strengthening long-term board presence.
  2. The card synergizes with instant-speed allies, allowing unexpected life swings and maintaining player control.
  3. Despite a higher mana cost, Ondu Cleric’s versatility and combo potential make it a strong deck inclusion.

Text of card

Whenever Ondu Cleric or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may gain life equal to the number of Allies you control.

A cleric's true balm is the confidence he inspires in his compatriots.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ondu Cleric’s ability to accumulate life points on every ally’s arrival can significantly shift the balance in a prolonged game, acting as an effective form of incremental advantage. This consistent life gain can render many aggro strategies ineffective and generate a long-term edge.

Resource Acceleration: While the Ondu Cleric doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration, its life-gain synergy allows for a more robust defense, enabling a smoother and safer setup for your late-game strategies. Staying at a high life total gives you more room to utilize your mana each turn without the fear of becoming vulnerable to a sudden shift in the board state.

Instant Speed: Though the Ondu Cleric itself is not an instant, it pairs well with instant-speed ally cards or effects that can trigger its ability during the opponent’s turn. This creates surprising life swings and disrupts the opponent’s calculations when planning their attacks or spells, maintaining a form of control within the flow of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Ondu Cleric can be a key component in ally-based strategies, players must be aware there is no discard requirement attached to this card. Nonetheless, in highly specialized decks, where every card counts, the lack of such a mechanic does not detract from its potential synergy.

Specific Mana Cost: Ondu Cleric requires both white mana and generic mana to play, which means it fits best in mono-white or two-color decks that include white. Decks without a strong white mana base may struggle to cast it consistently, making it a less flexible choice for some strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with modest stats, the Ondu Cleric comes with a mana cost that may be considered high by some players, especially when compared to other creatures in its slot. Its cost-effectiveness can sometimes be questioned, especially when against decks that seek to optimize every mana spent.


Reasons to Include Ondu Cleric in Your Collection

Versatility: Ondu Cleric’s ability to gain you life for each ally that enters the battlefield under your control makes it a suitable card for a variety of deck types. Whether you’re building an ally-themed deck or incorporating it in a life-gain strategy, its flexibility is a notable benefit.

Combo Potential: This cleric shines in combinations with other ally creatures, increasing its impact through their rallied abilities. Its life-gain ability stacks with multiple allies, turning every ally cast into a life buffer against your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive decks are prevalent, Ondu Cleric offers a sustainable method to stay in the game. With its potential for significant life gain, it counters the damage dealt by fast-paced opponents, making it a relevant defensive addition to any collection.


How to Beat Ondu Cleric

Ondu Cleric is a card that rewards players for fielding multiple allies, bolstering their health totals with its triggered ability. To counter this effect, one must focus on removing the Cleric quickly before its life-gain ability can snowball. Direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push are efficient tools for eliminating the Cleric. Board control is another effective strategy; cards that cause opponents to sacrifice creatures can sidestep the Cleric’s defenses and prevent the life gain from taking place.

Considering the creature’s modest stats, engaging in combat is also a viable option. Creatures with higher power can take down the Cleric without much fuss. In a larger strategic context, denying the opponent’s ability to amass allies on the battlefield can significantly weaken the Cleric’s influence on the game. This could involve countering ally creature spells or keeping the board clear through repeated board wipes. With these strategies, one can mitigate the advantages provided by Ondu Cleric and maintain a stronger position in the game.


Cards like Ondu Cleric

Ondu Cleric stands out as a key player in lifegain strategies within Magic: The Gathering. It shares thematic ties with creatures like Soul Warden and Soul’s Attendant, both of which are renowned for their ability to gain life whenever another creature enters the battlefield. The distinction lies in Ondu Cleric’s ability to gain life based on the number of allies that enter, which taps into the Ally synergy prevalent in some MTG decks. In contrast, Soul Warden and Soul’s Attendant are broader in their application, triggering on all creatures’ arrivals without any tribal dependencies.

We also see Healer of the Pride as a similar card, with a more robust body but a fixed one life gain per creature. Ondu Cleric, with the right board state, can easily eclipse this by gaining an escalating amount of life with each Ally played. Moreover, while Lantern Scout grants lifelink to all your creatures when an Ally hits the board, Ondu Cleric offers a guaranteed life boost, making it more predictable in the lifegain tally.

Tallying up the advantages, Ondu Cleric is an eminent inclusion for decks exploiting Ally synergies within Magic: The Gathering, presenting a potent lifegain tactic on top of tribal cohesion.

Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Soul's Attendant - MTG Card versions
Healer of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Lantern Scout - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - Exodus (EXO)
Soul's Attendant - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Healer of the Pride - Magic 2013 (M13)
Lantern Scout - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)

Cards similar to Ondu Cleric by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Talon Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Avenger en-Dal - Nemesis (NEM)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ondu Cleric 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 Ondu Cleric and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ondu Cleric has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2009-10-01 The ability counts the number of Allies you control as it resolves.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks