Keeper of Fables MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat
Power 4
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage is crucial, and Keeper of Fables optimizes this through combat damage with non-human creatures.
  2. Its five mana cost can be restrictive, but the card draw potential often outweighs this downside in gameplay.
  3. Versatility makes Keeper of Fables a strategic inclusion in creature-focused decks for sustained card options.

Text of card

Whenever one or more non-Human creatures you control deal combat damage to a player, draw a card.

"Only the lion knows more stories than I do." —Chulane, Teller of Tales


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When it comes to drawing extra cards, Keeper of Fables is a powerhouse. Each time one or more non-Human creatures you control deal combat damage to a player, you get to draw a card. This can lead to a significant card advantage as you’re filling your hand while applying pressure on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Keeper of Fables doesn’t directly accelerate your mana, the card advantage it provides indirectly accelerates your access to resources. Drawing into more lands or creatures allows for a smoother flow of play and the ability to deploy more threats or answers from your hand over time.

Instant Speed: Although Keeper of Fables itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with creatures that have flash or with spells and abilities that allow you to play creatures at instant speed. This lets you set up surprise combat scenarios where you can sneak in damage and draw cards on the opponent’s turn, catching them unprepared for the extra value you’re generating.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Keeper of Fables demands that you have a creature deal combat damage to a player to draw a card, a condition that can be onerous when you are lacking board presence or facing a deck with superior creature control.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost of five mana with a color requirement of at least two green can be restrictive and compete with other high-impact cards in the five-mana slot, making it less favored in mana-curve optimization.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Keeper of Fables can be seen as having a high investment for an effect that’s contingent on combat success, potentially slowing down your game strategy when faster options are available.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Keeper of Fables can be a valuable addition to any creature-focused deck. Its ability to draw cards when creatures you control deal combat damage to a player ensures a steady stream of options, fueling both aggressive and midrange strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well with effects that grant unblockable or those that increase the number of creatures you control. Its synergy with tokens and other card draw mechanics can create powerful combo opportunities.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, the Keeper of Fables shines by providing card advantage that can help outpace control decks and keep up with other midrange decks.


How to Beat Keeper of Fables

The Keeper of Fables can be a tricky card to face in any Magic: The Gathering match due to its ability to draw cards whenever one or more non-Human creatures you control deal combat damage to a player. To effectively beat this card, focus on preventing these creatures from connecting with successful attacks. Control decks that can repeatedly clear the board with spells like Wrath of God or single-target removals such as Path to Exile will limit the number of creatures on the battlefield, thus negating the card advantage Keeper of Fables could provide. Another strategy is to utilize counterspells to prevent the Keeper from hitting the board in the first place.

Ensuring you have a robust defensive line-up is also paramount. Creatures with high toughness can deter opponents from attacking and, in combination with various spot removals, you can maintain board superiority. Keeper of Fables thrives in a game where it can continuously contribute to card advantage, so your priority is to disrupt opponent’s creature-based strategies and keep this card from leveraging its strength. Stay one step ahead, keep their battlefield clear, and Keeper of Fables will become much less of a threat to your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Whether it’s through stealthy combat damage or the strategic use of flash creatures, Keeper of Fables can become a cornerstone in your MTG deck, ensuring a steady influx of cards and maintaining pressure on your opponent. Its capacity for card advantage makes it a worthwhile consideration for any creature-heavy strategy. We know every card choice is critical, which is why we’ve delved deep into Keeper of Fables’ playstyle, potential combos, and how it fares in the current meta. To discover how this card can fit into your collection and take your deck-building to the next level, connect with us for insights and tips that go beyond the ordinary. Enhance your gameplay and strategy and let Keeper of Fables lead you to your next memorable victory.


Cards like Keeper of Fables

Keeper of Fables is a unique card in MTG that stands out for rewarding you whenever one or more non-Human creatures deal combat damage to a player. It’s similar to Ohran Frostfang in function, which, apart from drawing a card, also gives all your attacking creatures deathtouch. Though Ohran Frostfang provides an additional strategic advantage, it comes with a higher casting cost than Keeper of Fables.

Edric, Spymaster of Trest is another card that shares a resemblance, allowing you to draw a card whenever a creature deals combat damage to an opponent. However, Edric extends this ability to all players, which can be a double-edged sword. Coastal Piracy is an enchantment with a comparable effect, but it lacks the tangible presence on the board that a creature like Keeper of Fables provides.

Equipping your creatures with Bident of Thassa can similarly result in additional card draws through combat damage, and it also includes the ability to compel your opponents’ creatures to attack. Each card in this round-up offers a different blend of benefits and costs, but Keeper of Fables earns its place thanks to its creature type and efficient balance of cost and effect.

Ohran Frostfang - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Ohran Frostfang - Commander 2019 (C19)
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Coastal Piracy - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bident of Thassa - Theros (THS)

Cards similar to Keeper of Fables by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Cockatrice - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Ironroot Treefolk - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Elvish Bard - Alliances (ALL)
Durkwood Boars - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Elven Riders - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Redwood Treefolk - Weatherlight (WTH)
Spined Wurm - Stronghold (STH)
Rabid Wolverines - Exodus (EXO)
Deadly Insect - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Vintara Elephant - Prophecy (PCY)
Spring-Leaf Avenger - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Primeval Force - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spitting Spider - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Copperhoof Vorrac - Mirrodin (MRD)
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Llanowar Behemoth - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bramble Elemental - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Indrik Stomphowler - Commander 2015 (C15)
Golgari Grave-Troll - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keeper of Fables MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Jumpstart, 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 Keeper of Fables and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Keeper of Fables Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Alex Konstad.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 1632015normalblackAlex Konstad
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4072015normalblackAlex Konstad
32020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 712015normalblackAlex Konstad
42020-09-26The ListPLST ELD-1632015normalblackAlex Konstad

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keeper of Fables has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-10-04 Because creatures with first strike deal combat damage before creatures without first strike, Keeper of Fables's ability can trigger twice during one combat if your creatures deal combat damage to one player at different times.
2019-10-04 If non-Human creatures you control deal combat damage to two or more players at the same time, Keeper of Fables's ability triggers for each of those players.
2019-10-04 Keeper of Fables's ability triggers even if it's dealt lethal damage at the same time that non-Humans you control deal combat damage to a player.

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