Vigilant Baloth MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Vigilance
Released	2018-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2019
Set code	M19
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	206
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Uriah Voth

Key Takeaways

Vigilant Baloth’s size and vigilance can offer card advantage and influence gameplay significantly.
Its defensive role and combo potential make it a versatile pick in green decks.
Despite a higher mana cost, it remains competitive with other sizable green creatures.

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.)

Villagers employ watchdogs as guardians and companions. Druids prefer something a little bigger.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Offering substantial board presence, Vigilant Baloth gives players the upper hand by providing a sizeable creature that can influence the state of the game. It’s a creature that demands an answer, thereby indirectly leading to card advantage if it baited out a removal spell that won’t be used on potentially bigger threats you may have in hand.

Resource Acceleration: While the Baloth itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, its formidable presence can enable attacks that may dissuade opponents from committing their own resources to the board, potentially giving you a lead in resource development. Additionally, if paired with cards that benefit from having creatures with high power, it can be part of a strategy that accelerates your resource gain.

Instant Speed: The creature’s inherent vigilance provides strategic flexibility akin to instant-speed actions. You can attack without tapping and still have a strong blocker on defense, which allows you to stay open for other opportunities and reactions during your opponent’s turn, much like how instant-speed plays would operate.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Vigilant Baloth doesn’t directly require a discard, it’s often included in decks that utilize graveyard mechanics, which might force you to discard other cards as part of a larger strategy. This can lead to a depleting hand, ultimately impacting your ability to respond to opponents’ threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Vigilant Baloth demands a precise mana configuration of three generic and two green mana. This requirement restricts its inclusion to mainly green-centric decks and can pose a challenge in multicolor decks that may suffer from mana fixing issues.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Coming in with a mana value of five, Vigilant Baloth enters the battlefield later than many other creatures. For its cost, players could potentially deploy multiple creatures or implement other strategies that may contribute more immediately to the game’s dynamics.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vigilant Baloth fits seamlessly into a variety of green-based decks. Thanks to its vigilance, it is a stalwart defender while also being a persistent threat on the attack.

Combo Potential: This creature can be an integral part of combos with cards that reward you for having a creature with vigilance, or it interacts favorably with equipment and auras that capitalize on its ability to attack without tapping.

Meta-Relevance: Considering green’s role in the current meta, Vigilant Baloth can be a solid addition, particularly in environments where board presence and life gain are crucial against aggressive strategies.

How to beat

Vigilant Baloth is known among Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts for its robust stature as a 5/5 creature with vigilance, providing both offensive and defensive qualities. Gaining an edge over this formidable beast demands strategic thinking. Reducing its effectiveness often involves utilizing removal spells such as Murder, which simply destroys the creature irrespective of its size or abilities. It’s akin to the power of Unmake, which exiles the creature, completely removing it from the game.

Ensnaring it with enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking is yet another tactic. Pacifism and Claustrophobia come to mind, as they render the Baloth harmless while not removing it from the battlefield. Players might also consider fighting fire with fire by introducing creatures with powers that outmuscle Vigilant Baloth, like the indomitable Ghalta, Primal Hunger, which tends to overshadow most creatures in battle.

Conclusively, the key to outmaneuvering Vigilant Baloth lies in prioritizing effective removal, mitigating its battle influence through enchantments, or outclassing it in power. These strategies can turn the tide in a player’s favor, making the path to victory much clearer when facing this vigilant giant.

Cards like Vigilant Baloth

Vigilant Baloth brings resilient creature presence in any MTG deck focusing on green. It shares similar traits with Arborback Stomper, both being formidable creatures with the ability to impact the board significantly upon entry. What Arborback Stomper has in its favor, with its life gaining effect, Vigilant Baloth counters with its inherent vigilance, allowing it to attack without tapping and still serve as a formidable defender.

Another creature worth mentioning is Pelakka Wurm, which also offers a substantial body but with an added benefit of drawing a card and gaining life when it enters the battlefield. Even though it doesn’t possess vigilance like Vigilant Baloth, the card advantage and life gain make it a competitive alternative.

Comparing these hefty green creatures, Vigilant Baloth stands its ground as a solid option, particularly in strategies that benefit from maintaining constant pressure on opponents without leaving your defenses down. It’s the epitome of tenacity, offering an unyielding presence that demands an answer from your adversary’s deck.

Cards similar to Vigilant Baloth by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vigilant Baloth has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal