Maze Sentinel MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental
Abilities	Vigilance
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Power	3
Toughness	6
Number	4
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Yeong-Hao Han

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by controlling opponent’s combat options through tapping.
Its vigilance allows for offensive and defensive play, enhancing convoke options.
Interactions with instants at crucial moments can disrupt opponent strategies.

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 Multicolored creatures you control have vigilance.

The route has been known for millennia, but only by those with no means to tell it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Maze Sentinel offers a unique synergy with multicolored spells in your MTG deck. Each time you cast a multicolored spell while this creature is in play, you may bolster your defenses by tapping an opposing creature. This can provide a distinct advantage, reducing the number of attackers and helping you maintain a strong board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While the Maze Sentinel itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its vigilance trait allows it to attack without tapping. This leaves it available to be a part of any convoke spells you play, effectively using it as a resource to summon larger creatures or cast impactful spells sooner than you normally would.

Instant Speed: The ability to tap an opponent’s creature with the Maze Sentinel isn’t at instant speed, but its interaction with instant speed multicolored spells amplifies its utility. Playing instants on your opponent’s turn that meet this criteria can unexpectedly turn the tides by tapping potential attackers or blockers, thereby creating opportunities for strategic wins.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Maze Sentinel sometimes demands jettisoning precious cards from your hand, which might leave you at a tactical disadvantage, especially during the late game when every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Maze Sentinel requires a specific combination of mana colors that can be tricky to manage in multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or even preventing you from playing it at key moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a considerable mana cost for its abilities, Maze Sentinel may not be the most mana-efficient creature you could cast. In many situations, there are alternative creatures or spells that could yield greater impact on the game for the same, or even lesser, investment.

Reasons to Include Maze Sentinel in Your Collection

Versatility: Maze Sentinel can adapt to various deck themes with its mana-flexible identity. Being able to slot into any deck that matches its white mana allows for a diverse range of strategies, from control to midrange builds.

Combo Potential: Its vigilance ability makes it a consistent defender while simultaneously attacking, enabling combinations with cards that capitalize on creatures being untapped or having certain keywords.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where maintaining a strong board presence is key, Maze Sentinel provides a steady defensive option that can stand firm against several popular aggressive tactics.

How to beat

Maze Sentinel is a unique card with the vigilance ability and the potential to influence combat on the battlefield. Its ability to give vigilance to other multicolored creatures can turn a favorable tide in many situations. However, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key to overcoming it.

When facing a Maze Sentinel, removal spells that bypass its vigilance are effective. Consider cards like Doom Blade or Murder, which can destroy a creature outright. You can also utilize combat tricks to surpass its defensive capabilities. Spells that incapacitate or tap creatures, such as Frost Breath, can neutralize the Sentinel for a turn, allowing you to swing in unopposed.

Another strategy is to undermine the Sentinel’s advantage by playing cards that don’t rely on combat. Direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt, or effects that cause loss of life independent of the combat phase, can effectively circumvent Maze Sentinel’s combat influence. Using these tactics, you can maintain pressure and deal with the Sentinel efficiently, mitigating any advantage it might present on the battlefield.

Cards like Maze Sentinel

Maze Sentinel is an intriguing creature in the world of MTG. With its vigilance ability, it joins a roster of creatures that allow for both defense and offense within the same turn cycle. A close relative to Maze Sentinel is Steadfast Guard, another creature with vigilance that, although lower in mana cost, offers less flexibility without the multicolored mana support that the Sentinel provides.

Guardian of the Pilgrims is another card with vigilance worth mentioning. Similar to Steadfast Guard, it has a lower casting cost but has a slightly different upside – giving another target creature a boost upon entering the battlefield. However, Maze Sentinel allows players to give vigilance to other multicolored creatures, a notable advantage in a multicolored deck.

Finally, when examining vigilance-based cards like Sentinel of the Eternal Watch, one can appreciate the imposing board presence and ability to dictate combat dynamics. Maze Sentinel, while not as impactful solo, excels by empowering a broader range of creatures. This synergistic edge is particularly valuable in multicolored creature strategies, underscoring its unique position within MTG’s creature lineup.

Sentinel of the Eternal Watch - MTG Card versions

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

Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions

Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions

Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions

Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maze Sentinel MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Maze Sentinel and other MTG cards: