Senate Courier MTG Card


Senate Courier - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird
Abilities Flying
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Power 1
Toughness 4
Number50
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Key Takeaways

  1. Senate Courier facilitates card advantage through draw, helping maintain a strong hand.
  2. Its ability to ramp up resources allows for faster, impactful plays on the board.
  3. Playing at instant speed, the card provides tactical flexibility during matches.
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

Flying : Senate Courier gains vigilance until end of turn.

"This Dovin Baan came from nowhere. Watch him. Read his letters. He is more than he appears." —Lazav


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Senate Courier shines in scenarios where maintaining hand superiority is key. By offering card draw, players are able to sustain momentum and outpace their opponents. This is particularly effective when it’s crucial to find answers or threats within your deck.

Resource Acceleration: Essential in any MTG strategy, resource acceleration is another strength of Senate Courier. This card can provide additional resources, allowing for quicker deployment of costly spells or the rapid development of board presence, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to play cards at instant speed grants players flexibility and tactical depth. Senate Courier, when played at instant speed, can be a surprise element that disrupts the opponent’s plans. This advantage allows players to make more informed decisions, reacting to the state of the game in real-time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the limiting aspects of Senate Courier is the necessity to discard a card to activate its ability. This requirement can set a player back, especially when hand size is crucial for maintaining options and board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Senate Courier demands a precise mana alignment to be cast, specifically requiring blue mana. This can restrict its flexibility, rendering it less viable in multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, the card’s overall impact on the game might not justify its cost. There are other creatures and spells at a similar mana cost that may offer greater utility or power, leaving Senate Courier overshadowed in competitive play.


Reasons to Include Senate Courier in Your Collection

Versatility: Senate Courier is a flexible card that can be a fitting addition to blue-based control or skies decks. Its ability to gain flying until the end of turn allows it to switch seamlessly between offense and defense, making it a useful card in various in-game situations.

Combo Potential: With its ability to gain flying, Senate Courier works well with mechanics that capitalize on creatures with flying, or in strategies that focus on protecting key permanents. Though not a combo enabler in the traditional sense, it offers synergy with cards that benefit from having a consistent board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures are prevalent or in slower paced games, Senate Courier can be a cost-effective blocker with its base toughness. In particular, its importance grows in limited formats like draft or sealed, where it can often serve as a reliable defensive creature that can also turn into an evasive threat when needed.


How to beat

Senate Courier poses quite the challenge on the battlefield with its flying ability and potential to buff its toughness. This blue creature from Magic: The Gathering stands out not just for its evasion tactic but also for its capability to become a reliable blocker when needed. Overcoming this card requires strategic play. Removal spells that bypass the Courier’s flying, such as Murder or Doom Blade, can effectively clear the way. It’s also susceptible to board wipes, such as Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, which can reset the field.

Another approach is to use cards that hinder the opponent’s creatures regardless of their abilities. Cards like Pacifism or Narcolepsy can neutralize the Senate Courier without having to remove it from the battlefield, rendering it harmless. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of combat tricks. Buff your creatures to surpass Senate Courier’s toughness, or use spells that switch power and toughness to turn it into an easy target. Remember, understanding your opponent’s strategies and carefully selecting your countermeasures is key to claiming victory against cards like Senate Courier.


Cards like Senate Courier

Senate Courier finds its place in the roster of defensive flying creatures in MTG. With comparable features to creatures such as Healer’s Hawk and Concordia Pegasus, it carves out its niche. Healer’s Hawk offers lifelink, providing a steady stream of life points, although it has a smaller body. Concordia Pegasus, much like Senate Courier, boasts the flying attribute, but lacks the ability to gain vigilance.

Considering Azure Drake, this card also provides a stronger offensive presence with its higher power, albeit at a higher casting cost. Senate Courier, with its ability to gain vigilance, offers a strategic advantage, maintaining a defensive presence while still being able to press the attack. Faerie Guidemother is another card that shares the skies, but it adds value with its adventure ability, allowing for added flexibility at a similar mana cost.

To summarize, Senate Courier holds merit among flyers for its balancing act between defense and potential for offensive pressure, depending on the game state. Despite not matching the offensive prowess of some alternatives, its vigilance capacity might just tip the scales in its favor in a strategically played match within MTG.

Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Concordia Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Azure Drake - MTG Card versions
Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Concordia Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Azure Drake - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Senate Courier MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Senate Courier and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Senate Courier has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-01-25 Gaining vigilance any time after the moment you choose to attack with a creature won’t cause it to become untapped.

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