Paladin of the Bloodstained MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 25
2019-11-07 - Number 194
2020-09-26 - Number XLN-25
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Knight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Generates a vampire token on entry, increasing creature count and board presence without additional card draw.
- Mana cost specificity and rate may limit its versatility and playability in some fast-paced deck strategies.
- Nevertheless, its ability to immediately impact the game state makes it a valuable addition for token-centric decks.
Text of card
When Paladin of the Bloodstained enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white Vampire creature token with lifelink.
Closely linked to the Church of Dusk, the paladins of the Bloodstained order are devout to the point of fanaticism.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Paladin of the Bloodstained provides an additional creature token upon entering the battlefield, effectively offering two bodies for the price of one. This can give a player the upper hand by increasing the number of creatures in play and enhancing board presence without requiring an additional card from the hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Paladin of the Bloodstained doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, the extra token it creates can be instrumental for strategies revolving around creature count, such as enabling convoking spells or activating abilities that require tapping multiple creatures.
Instant Speed: While Paladin of the Bloodstained is not an instant, the creature token it creates enters the battlefield immediately along with the Paladin. This can rapidly augment your defenses or prepare you for an aggressive move during your next combat phase, catching an opponent off guard with a strengthened army at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Paladin of the Bloodstained does not come with a discard requirement, offering a straightforward inclusion in decks without the risk of diminishing your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a specific blend of mana, including one white, which makes it less flexible for multi-colored decks that may struggle with color fixing
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it comes with a 3/2 body and creates a 1/1 white Vampire token with lifelink upon entering the battlefield, its mana cost of four might be on the higher side when compared to other creatures with similar effects or better stats, impacting its playability in fast-paced and mana-efficient strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Paladin of the Bloodstained offers a dynamic option for various deck builds, particularly those capitalizing on creature presence. Its ability to provide additional battlefield presence upon entry makes it a multifunctional choice for any player seeking to bolster their creature lineup.
Combo Potential: This card isn’t just a standalone player on the field; its Vampire token creation pairs excellently with strategies amplifying token generation or life gain. This synergy particularly shines in decks that capitalize on tribal bonuses or those that utilize tokens to fuel further card abilities or game mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the competitive environment, Paladin of the Bloodstained can be a tactical asset in a meta game where token strategies and aggressive lifegain decks are prevalent. As the game evolves, so too does the value of such a versatile creature within your collection.
How to Beat
Paladin of the Bloodstained is a relatively straightforward card to handle in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that brings additional value upon entering the battlefield by creating a Vampire token with lifelink, its impact is often felt in the immediate board presence it establishes. Nevertheless, this advantage can be mitigated with several strategies. Efficient removal spells remain the simplest solution. These can directly target Paladin of the Bloodstained before the token generation comes into play or afterwards to lessen the opponent’s creature base. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile could be particularly effective.
Board wipes also serve as a useful tool for managing creatures like Paladin of the Bloodstained. By resetting the board, you can simultaneously deal with multiple threats posed by creature-heavy strategies. Efficient board-clearing options include Wrath of God or Damnation, which can help control decks maintain parity. Additionally, taking advantage of instant-speed interaction allows players to navigate around Paladin of the Bloodstained’s enter-the-battlefield trigger, potentially avoiding combat and detrimental life-total exchanges. From a proactive standpoint, outracing Paladin of the Bloodstained with a more aggressive strategy or eluding it with evasion abilities could render the card less impactful.
In essence, while Paladin of the Bloodstained can contribute to your opponent’s strategy by providing immediate value, it is a card that can be effectively countered in several ways, depending on your deck’s strengths and the tactical approach you choose to employ during gameplay.
Cards like Paladin of the Bloodstained
Paladin of the Bloodstained is a notable creature card in Magic the Gathering, offering players a dual advantage upon entering the battlefield. It’s akin to cards like Doomed Traveler or Hunted Witness, which also capitalize on death triggers or leave behind a creature token when they depart. However, Paladin of the Bloodstained diverges by creating a token immediately upon arrival, rather than waiting for its demise.
Comparably, Mardu Hordechief follows in its footsteps but with a bit of nuance in its rally ability, which requires another creature entering the battlefield that turn to trigger the token generation. In contrast, Paladin of the Bloodstained stands independent of such conditions. Blade Splicer is another creature with a similar token generation effect but hinges on its golem-creating ability rather than vampires. Moreover, Blade Splicer’s generated token is more substantial, yet Paladin of the Bloodstained maintains an edge with its vampire synergy in decks geared towards such tribal themes.
Each card has its own charm within the scope of the game, but for token strategy enthusiasts and vampire tribal fans, Paladin of the Bloodstained is a solid choice. Its balance of moderate cost and immediate board impact coins it as a valuable piece in decks aimed at swarming the opponent with creatures.
Cards similar to Paladin of the Bloodstained by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Paladin of the Bloodstained MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Mystery Booster, 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 Paladin of the Bloodstained and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Paladin of the Bloodstained Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Bastien L. Deharme.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bastien L. Deharme | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bastien L. Deharme | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | XLN-25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bastien L. Deharme |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Paladin of the Bloodstained has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
