Field Surgeon MTG Card


Field Surgeon - Urza's Destiny
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Released1999-06-07
Set symbol
Set nameUrza's Destiny
Set codeUDS
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number8
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byHeather Hudson

Key Takeaways

  1. Field Surgeon grants instant speed protection, turning untapped creatures into shields against threats.
  2. Its ability indirectly accelerates resources by preserving key creatures that generate mana or effects.
  3. Despite its utility, Field Surgeon’s mana cost and discard requirement could hinder its versatility.

Text of card

Tap an untapped creature you control: Prevent the next 1 damage to target creature this turn.

Commanders order soldiers to attack. Field surgeons order them to heal. Both are obeyed without question.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Field Surgeon turns each of your untapped creatures into potential life-savers, allowing you to selectively shield your most valuable assets on the board. By using a creature to prevent damage to another creature or player, you can effectively negate opponents’ threats without losing card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Field Surgeon doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by protecting your mana dorks or other creatures that generate additional mana or effects when they remain on the battlefield and untapped.

Instant Speed: Field Surgeon’s ability operates at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn. This strategic advantage can save crucial creatures from unexpected removals or combat damage, which could turn the tide of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Field Surgeon often necessitates a player discarding another card, presenting a challenge when hand size is critical during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Field Surgeon’s mana cost includes white mana symbols, which means it fits primarily into white decks, potentially restricting its versatility across the diverse deck landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of three mana, including two that are white, the card demands a significant investment for its effect, which could be seen as steep when compared to other cards offering similar or lower-cost abilities.


Reasons to Include Field Surgeon in Your Collection

Versatility: Field Surgeon offers a unique utility in that it allows you to tap untapped creatures you control to prevent damage to others, giving players an additional layer of strategy in protecting valuable creatures or key pieces during a match.

Combo Potential: This card works well with creatures that have tap abilities of their own or with cards that benefit from creatures being tapped, enabling intricate combos that can disrupt an opponent’s plans or fortify your defenses.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Field Surgeon’s ability to provide a safeguard against direct removal or combat damage makes it a robust addition against aggressive decks, preserving your board state and maintaining the upper hand.


How to beat

Field Surgeon offers a distinctive approach to creature protection in Magic the Gathering. This white card allows you to prevent damage to a creature by tapping an untapped creature you control. Its unique ability can defend key pieces on your board, making it a subtle yet potent defensive tool in gameplay. To effectively counteract Field Surgeon’s defensive capabilities, consider incorporating board wipes into your deck that bypass its damage prevention mechanic. Spells that force players to sacrifice creatures, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can effectively clear the board regardless of your opponent’s tapped creatures. Additionally, using spells that give you the option to choose targets upon resolution like Walking Ballista, allows you to wait until your opponent has tapped out their creatures in response, then target the unprotected critical pieces.

Keep in mind, enchantment removal also comes handy. Cards like Disenchant or Return to Nature can remove Field Surgeon from the field directly, making your opponent’s creatures vulnerable again. While Field Surgeon can be a formidable defense, understanding and employing these strategies can help ensure your path to victory remains clear.


Cards like Field Surgeon

Field Surgeon is an intriguing creature within MTG’s vast catalog of utility cards, on par with figures such as Mother of Runes. Like Field Surgeon, Mother of Runes provides a way to protect your creatures, offering the ability to give a creature protection from a color of your choice until the end of the turn. However, Field Surgeon is unique in its requirement of tapping an untapped creature you control to prevent damage to another creature, adding a strategic layer to creature management.

Comparably, Benevolent Bodyguard presents itself as another card with a protective ability. While it also taps to prevent damage to a target creature, the Bodyguard sacrifices itself for a more permanent solution. This aligns with Field Surgeon’s tactical approach, although the Surgeon’s ability to repeatedly protect multiple creatures offers a different playstyle. Tivadar’s Thumbs is yet another example. Though not directly a damage prevention card, its coin flipping effect can indirectly prevent damage by skewing block and attack decisions.

Overall, Field Surgeon stands out in its category for its unique tap mechanic, aligning it closely with cards that offer control and protection in gameplay. Its interactive element offers a dynamic approach to saving key creatures on the battlefield.

Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Benevolent Bodyguard - Judgment (JUD)

Cards similar to Field Surgeon by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - 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
Revered Dead - MTG Card versions
Starlight Invoker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Urza's Saga (USG)
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 - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Revered Dead - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Starlight Invoker - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Field Surgeon MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Field Surgeon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Field Surgeon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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