Greenwood Sentinel MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Scout
Abilities Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Vigilance grants both offensive and defensive leverage, bolstering board presence effectively.
  2. Fits easily into green-themed strategies and offers synergy with various deck types.
  3. While not immune to removal, its low cost and utility make it a solid early play.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Within a mile of the woodland, you will feel her eyes upon you. Within its borders, you will feel her blade.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Greenwood Sentinel may not draw cards directly, its vigilance ability allows it to serve as an attacker while remaining ready to block, thus maintaining board presence and potentially deterring opponent’s attacks. This dual function can lead to indirect card advantage by preserving your other creatures and resources.

Resource Acceleration: Greenwood Sentinel, a two-cost creature, fits well into ramp strategies. Though it doesn’t provide mana, its low cost allows you to deploy other spells sooner. In a game where tempo is crucial, having a vigilant creature available from early on can accelerate your board development significantly.

Instant Speed: The Sentinel isn’t an instant but benefits from the universal attribute of being playable at speeds your opponent may not expect, especially in decks utilizing flash mechanics. This forest guardian can surprise opponents by appearing as a blocker or an attacker when they least expect it, due to other spells that allow creatures to be played at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Greenwood Sentinel does not impose any discard demands on the player, allowing for better resource retention during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card that requires green mana, Greenwood Sentinel’s inclusion may be restricted to decks that run green or have a mana base that can accommodate it, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Greenwood Sentinel’s mana cost is not exceptionally high, some players may find it a less attractive option compared to other two-cost creatures that offer additional abilities or more impactful board presence.


Reasons to Include Greenwood Sentinel in Your Collection

Versatility: Greenwood Sentinel is flexible enough to slot into various green-themed decks. Its vigilance ability allows it to be a constant threat in combat while still being able to defend during your opponent’s turn, supporting both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: With vigilance as an intrinsic ability, this card works well with equipment and aura cards that leverage untapped creatures. It can prove to be a key piece in decks aiming to exploit such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that favors quick, aggressive tactics, Greenwood Sentinel can serve to hold the line against an onslaught of early creatures. It fits neatly into the curve of green-based aggro decks, maintaining pressure on your opponent while leaving you defended.


How to beat

The Greenwood Sentinel presents a swift obstacle with its vigilance trait, allowing it to attack without sacrificing its defensive posture. However, conquering this card on the battlefield is far from an insurmountable task. When facing the Greenwood Sentinel, consider the fact that it’s a 2/2 creature, which makes it vulnerable to a variety of common removal spells. Cards such as Shock or Lightning Strike can easily dispatch it without blowing a significant hole in your mana reserves.

Moreover, the Greenwood Sentinel’s lack of any built-in protection opens the door for multiple combat tricks and bounce spells that can effectively neutralize its vigilance advantage. Spells like Unsummon not only clear the path for your attack but also set your opponent back by forcing them to replay the creature. Additionally, blocking it with a stronger creature is an efficient way to take it out. After all, vigilance alone doesn’t stack up against superior power and toughness.

Taking these strategies into account, the Greenwood Sentinel becomes less of a threat and more of a stepping stone to asserting dominance on the playing field. By playing smart and using the right spells or creatures, outmaneuvering this vigilant sentinel is well within any skilled player’s grasp.


Cards like Greenwood Sentinel

Greenwood Sentinel stands as a baseline creature within the broad scope of Magic: The Gathering. Noteworthy for its vigilance ability, the Sentinel shares this characteristic with other creatures like the steadfast Prowling Caracal. What distinguishes the Greenwood Sentinel, however, is its elf subtype, conferring potential synergy in elf-themed decks which the Caracal cannot offer. Unlike some of its kin, this Sentinel doesn’t boast any other tribal advantages or spells to enhance its utility.

Examining the vigilant roster further, we come across the Serra Angel. A classic favorite, the Angel not only flies high with vigilance but also brings a more dominant presence to the battlefield with its substantial power and toughness. The Greenwood Sentinel pales in comparison to such might, yet it compensates with a lower casting cost, allowing for earlier gameplay deployment. Then there’s the keen Seht’s Tiger, a creature that brings a dose of protection in addition to vigilance, making it a formidably versatile choice, albeit at a higher mana investment.

In weighing the Greenwood Sentinel against its peers, its appeal lies in its simplicity and cost-efficiency, making it an accessible option for players crafting a vigilance-themed deck on a budget or seeking an early-game defensive play in Magic: The Gathering.

Prowling Caracal - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Prowling Caracal - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Serra Angel - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Cards similar to Greenwood Sentinel by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
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Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
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Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Oran-Rief Survivalist - Zendikar (ZEN)
Vine Trellis - Duel Decks: Garruk vs. Liliana (DDD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Greenwood Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Core Set 2020, 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 Greenwood Sentinel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Greenwood Sentinel Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1872015normalblackJohann Bodin
22019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 1742015normalblackJohann Bodin
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12292015normalblackJohann Bodin
42020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 972015normalblackJohann Bodin
52020-09-26The ListPLST M19-1872015normalblackJohann Bodin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Greenwood Sentinel has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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