Zephyr Sentinel MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Flying, Flash |
| Released | 2022-11-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Brothers' War |
| Set code | BRO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 74 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Inkognit |
Text of card
Flash Flying When Zephyr Sentinel enters the battlefield, return up to one other target creature you control to its owner's hand. If it was a Soldier, put a +1/+1 counter on Zephyr Sentinel.
Cards like Zephyr Sentinel
Zephyr Sentinel introduces a unique gameplay dynamic in Magic: The Gathering among creatures with defender abilities. Its closest relatives in the defender category might include cards like Wall of Runes and Fog Bank. Wall of Runes is simple yet effective, allowing a peek at the top card of your library as a form of deck manipulation upon its entry to the battlefield. Zephyr Sentinel adds a twist with the option to become a flying attacker, a considerable deviation from Wall of Runes’ static defensive position.
Comparatively, Fog Bank offers protection through its ability to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by it. Zephyr Sentinel doesn’t have this invulnerability, but compensates with its potential for offensive pressure by transforming into a flyer. Azure Wall also makes for an interesting comparison with its consistent defensive capability and the blue mana source requirement. Nevertheless, Zephyr Sentinel stands out by offering a flexible strategy, pivoting between defense and attack, thus aligning with different styles of play within the game.
While each card fits a specific role within MTG’s vast array of defender creatures, Zephyr Sentinel’s versatile nature helps it to shine, giving players an option to shift gears from passive defense to aggressive skies tactics.
Cards similar to Zephyr Sentinel by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Zephyr Sentinel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Soldiers | Standard | Azorius Soldiers | Standard Challenge 64 2024-02-25 |
| Azorius Flash | Standard | Azorius Flash | Standard Preliminary 2024-04-22 |
| Azorius Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Zephyr Sentinel offers the potential to draw a card whenever you cast a noncreature spell, helping you to continuously fuel your hand with options as you play out your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with decks that have a high volume of noncreature spells, effectively allowing you to maximize your mana usage and accelerate your resource development.
Instant Speed: Zephyr Sentinel can be a solid enabler for instant-speed spell strategies. Its ability to bolster your field when you cast during an opponent’s turn adds a tactical layer to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zephyr Sentinel asks players to part with a card from their hand to trigger its special ability. While this could enhance your field presence, it might also deplete crucial hand resources, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that must include blue, it pigeonholes this sentinel into decks that are prepared to tap into the islands. This specific requirement may deter decks that operate on a more flexible mana base or those not aligned with blue’s strategic nuances.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Positioning itself in the four mana realm puts Zephyr Sentinel into competition with a suite of other creatures and spells. Given its set of abilities, players may find themselves weighing its benefits against other dynamic options that could potentially offer a higher impact on the game for the same, or even lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zephyr Sentinel offers a unique skill set useful in a variety of deck builds. Its flying ability makes it a solid choice for defensive strategies, and when paired with other synergistic cards, it can serve as a formidable offensive piece as well.
Combo Potential: Zephyr Sentinel’s knack for artifact synergy can be a game-changer, particularly when combined with cards that manipulate or benefit from artifacts. This gives it excellent vectoring potential for powerful plays and intricate combos.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta shifts, having a card like Zephyr Sentinel, which slots into artifact-themed decks or those looking to exploit flying creatures, can be an asset against various popular strategies prevalent in the landscape.
How to Beat Zephyr Sentinel
Zephyr Sentinel, a recent addition to the MTG arena, presents a unique challenge with its flying defense capabilities. Understanding how to navigate around this aerial guardian can be the difference between victory and defeat. The key lies in its limited offensive capabilities; while Zephyr Sentinel provides a formidable barrier in the air, it offers less on the offense. Utilizing spells that can target and remove flying creatures, such as cards dealing direct damage or those which enforce tapping or power reduction, can swiftly alleviate the threat.
Alternatively, embracing enchantments or artifacts that grant your creatures the ability to block flying adversaries can neutralize the Zephyr Sentinel’s defensive advantage. Additionally, strategic play involving overwhelming the board with numerous threats or utilizing spells that bypass creature defenses entirely can prove effective. Cards with the reach attribute also serve as a countermeasure to flying creatures, offering a more permanent solution on your battlefield.
Therefore, while the presence of Zephyr Sentinel can initially seem daunting, numerous strategic routes exist that allow players to outmaneuver its defenses and push towards a win. Adequate preparation and inclusion of versatile responses in your deck will ensure you’re well-equipped to counter airborne obstructions like the Zephyr Sentinel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zephyr Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Zephyr 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zephyr Sentinel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.