Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Insect Horror
Abilities Flying,Transform
Power 5
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage and board presence through token creation when casting spells.
  2. Enables resource acceleration and flexibility with instant-speed transformation ability.
  3. Despite mana costs and specific deck requirements, it’s a potent inclusion for combo strategies.

Text of card

Flying Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a 1/1 blue Human Wizard creature token onto the battlefield. Then if you control three or more Wizards, transform Docent of Perfection.

The time had come for him to share his findings.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Docent of Perfection is known not only for its ability to turn into a formidable creature but also for its potential to generate card advantage. Every time you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you get a 1/1 wizard creature token. This can quickly fill your battlefield, providing you with multiple blockers or attackers and overwhelming your opponent with sheer numbers.

Resource Acceleration: While the Docent itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, the tokens it creates can be crucial in decks that capitalize on synergies with wizard creatures. Some cards allow you to tap wizards for mana, turning your growing army of creature tokens into a resource-accelerating machine.

Instant Speed: The transformation of Docent of Perfection triggers at instant speed. This allows for flexibility and unexpected swings in power on the battlefield. You can hold back on casting your instants and sorceries until just the right moment, potentially transforming the Docent and unleashing an aerial force of flying wizard tokens when your opponent least expects it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the strategic nuances of MTG often means optimizing every card play. Docent of Perfection demands the player orchestrate a dance of instants and sorceries to unlock its true potential. This can result in uncomfortable scenarios where players must discard precious spells to maintain momentum, rather than leveraging them for immediate board impact.

Specific Mana Cost: Docent of Perfection’s mana cost isn’t just about quantity—it’s about color precision too. With a requirement for three islands’ worth of blue mana, this card settles comfortably in mono-blue or dual-colored decks. However, for those without a mana base heavily skewed to blue, this winged wonder may sit idly in hand, its perfection a mere promise unfulfilled.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Let’s consider the investment—five mana to bring Docent of Perfection to the fray. In the fast-paced world of MTG, where tempo can dictate the victor, allocating such a substantial portion of resources for a creature that doesn’t provide immediate, tangible value on the battlefield can place players at a strategic disadvantage against lower-cost, high-impact alternatives.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Docent of Perfection offers flexibility in deck building, swiftly fitting into blue-based control or spell-slinger decks that thrive on casting instant and sorcery spells.

Combo Potential: This card evolves into a compelling engine for token generation, synergizing with spells to create numerous Wizard tokens, which can escalate your board presence and combo off with other abilities that reward you for casting spells or having multiple creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In metas with a high prevalence of creature-based strategies, Docent of Perfection can shine by leveraging its ability to create multiple blockers and swinging games with its formidable flying presence once transformed.


How to Beat

Docent of Perfection is a prominent player’s dream in the right deck, transforming mere Wizards into flying monstrosities. This transformative powerhouse does have its Achilles’ heel, however. When facing this creature, your strategy should pivot towards removal spells that don’t discriminate based on creature size or type. Direct removal spells like ‘Fatal Push’ or ‘Path to Exile’ can quickly return the Docent to its mere cardboard form.

Another efficient tactic is to utilize board wipes such as ‘Wrath of God’ or ‘Damnation,’ which can clear the field of all creatures, regardless of their enhanced status. Moreover, countering the actual spell that would summon Docent of Perfection can nip the problem in the bud. Cards like ‘Counterspell’ or ‘Negate’ are ideal for this pre-emptive approach. Additionally, maintaining a faster pace than your opponent can prevent them from reaching the necessary mana to cast it, thus pressuring them to defend rather than enhancing their board with the Docent. Remember, a well-timed spell can turn this perfection into a fleeting moment.

Ultimately, while Docent of Perfection can be a formidable card, understanding its vulnerabilities and preparing your deck with efficient control options will ensure you’re ready to face this aerial threat head-on in your MTG battles.


BurnMana Recommendations

Every MTG player knows the joy of a powerful card that not only strengthens their board but also aligns with the intricate rhythms of their deck. Docent of Perfection is a prime example of such a card, offering an array of strategic benefits and considerations. In decks flush with instants and sorceries, its potential to generate a swarm of Wizard tokens can be a game-changer, tipping the scales in your favor. We encourage you to dive deeper into the synergies and deck-building possibilities that this card brings to the table. Join other avid players in unleashing the full power of Docent of Perfection and soar to victory in your next MTG showdown.


Cards like Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration

In the world of transformable creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Docent of Perfection holds a unique place. Much like its closest relative, Delver of Secrets, it metamorphoses into a more powerful being, but Docent takes it a step further. Where Delver instantly transmutes from a modest 1/1 human into a 3/2 flying beast, Docent of Perfection starts as a sturdy 5/4 wizard before evolving into the formidable Final Iteration, a creature that supercharges other wizards and spawns flying tokens.

Another comparable card is the Archmage Emeritus, which, although it doesn’t transform, rewards you for casting instants and sorceries with card draw – similar to Docent’s token generation when you play noncreature spells. The focus on synergizing with spell-casting makes both cards valuable in the right build. For those seeking pure power escalation through transformation, the Werewolves of Innistrad, such as Huntmaster of the Fells, exemplify a different facet of MTG’s shape-shifters, turning from humans into werewolves with various abilities on both sides.

To wrap it up, Docent of Perfection is a card that embodies versatility and potential power spikes. It’s a standout in decks emphasizing wizard synergy and spell-slinging, offering more than just a body on the board but an entire strategy booster unique to its transformational nature.

Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Eldritch Moon Promos, 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 Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 562015TransformBlackNils Hamm
22016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 56s2015TransformBlackNils Hamm
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 612015TransformBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-07-13 All Wizards you control get +2/+1 and have flying, not just those created by Docent of Perfection or Final Iteration.
2016-07-13 Docent of Perfection’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.
2016-07-13 Final Iteration’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.
2016-07-13 For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics).
2016-07-13 If you control three or more Wizards while you control Docent of Perfection, it won’t transform yet. It only transforms while its triggered ability is resolving after you cast an instant or sorcery spell.
2016-07-13 When Docent of Perfection transforms into Final Iteration, the instant or sorcery spell that’s on the stack doesn’t cause Final Iteration’s triggered ability to trigger.

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