Herald of Leshrac MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 62
2020-03-08 - Number 38
2020-09-26 - Number CSP-62
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Avatar |
| Abilities | Cumulative upkeep,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Generates significant card advantage through continuous land acquisition, disrupting opponents’ strategies.
- Accelerates mana pool for casting powerful spells earlier, enhancing gameplay flexibility.
- Operates at instant speed, subtly taking lands during upkeep, posing a persistent threat.
Text of card
Flying Cumulative upkeep— Gain control of a land you don't control. Herald of Leshrac gets +1/+1 for each land you control but don't own. When Herald of Leshrac leaves play, each player gains control of each land he or she owns that you control.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Displaying dominant control abilities, Herald of Leshrac can yield unparalleled card advantage. Each turn, its ability to gain control of an opponent’s land can snowball, leaving you with a formidable selection of resources while concurrently depriving your opponent of theirs.
Resource Acceleration: In terms of escalating your resources, the Herald offers a unique form of acceleration. With each land that comes under your command, you effectively ramp up your mana pool. This cumulative effect can be game-changing as it allows for casting increasingly impactful spells much earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: While the Herald itself isn’t an instant, its persistent land-acquisition ability behaves similarly to an instant speed trigger. At the beginning of your upkeep, it stealthily swipes a land without the need for a spell to be cast, effortlessly working in the background and catching opponents off-guard as you fortify your position during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some powerful cards that enable gameplay without heavy trade-offs, Herald of Leshrac necessitates a steady stream of cards to relinquish. While the payoffs could be huge, this requirement can backfire if you’re already struggling with card advantage and can’t maintain a robust hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: Tapping into specific mana pools can be a challenge, especially in the multicolored landscapes of MTG. Herald of Leshrac demands a commitment to black mana, which might not seamlessly integrate with more diverse or color-balanced decks. This can hamper its inclusion in your deck, as it requires not just any mana, but specifically black mana, which could potentially disrupt your mana curve and limit deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating a card like Herald of Leshrac, one can’t help but scrutinize the mana investment. With a demanding cost, you’ll need to reach deep into your mana reserves, which might delay your game plan and make you vulnerable in the early game. For such a steep price, some may argue there are alternatives that could offer immediate benefits rather than a deferred gain, which is something to ponder when weighing its role in your strategy.
Reasons to Include Herald of Leshrac in Your Collection
Versatility: Herald of Leshrac, a powerful rare from Coldsnap, provides a unique form of control over your opponent’s lands. Not confined to a single deck archetype, it offers various strategic approaches depending on the match.
Combo Potential: The ability to steadily accumulate control of opponent’s lands offers combo potential with landfall abilities or sacrifice mechanics. This can dramatically shift the game in your favor when paired with the right synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where mana is king, disrupting your opponents’ land base can be particularly devastating. Having Herald of Leshrac in decks can provide a significant edge against decks that heavily rely on specific land combinations or strategies.
How to beat
Herald of Leshrac is a formidable card that can dominate games if left unchecked. As a creature that grows by seizing control of opposing lands each turn, it can quickly tilt the resource balance in your favor. Understanding how to effectively counter this card is key to maintaining your footing in a match.
Removal spells are your best ally against Herald of Leshrac. Instant-speed options like Path to Exile or Swift End give you the opportunity to respond before the Herald accumulates too many lands. Another effective tactic is to limit the number of lands it can potentially take over. Cards that restrict land searches, such as Ashiok, Dream Render, can be a thorn in your opponent’s side.
Moreover, countering Herald of Leshrac before it hits the battlefield is often a clean solution. Counter spells like Mana Leak or Negate can prevent the Herald from ever presenting a threat. Timing is crucial, and keeping mana open for these responses ensures you’re ready for any attempt to summon the Herald. In summary, with a combination of removal, preventative measures, and strategic counterplay, you can neutralize the threat of Herald of Leshrac and maintain the equilibrium of the game.
Cards like Herald of Leshrac
Herald of Leshrac holds a unique position in the array of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to gradually take control of lands distinguishes it from most creatures. While the infamous Annex spell also allows players to seize control of opposing lands, Herald does so repeatedly, turn after turn, at the cost of escalating upkeep.
Another comparable card is Gilded Drake, which exchanges control of itself with a target creature an opponent controls, quite a deal for only two mana. Yet, unlike Herald of Leshrac, Gilded Drake’s effect is a one-time event. Control Magic is also similar in its control-changing effect, but it’s restricted to creatures and does not accumulate impact over multiple turns.
Interactions and gameplay can significantly vary with each card. While Herald of Leshrac requires a temporal investment to capitalize fully, it can become a game-winner if left unchecked. In contrast, immediate effects like Gilded Drake can disrupt early game strategies. Evaluating their strategic benefits, Herald of Leshrac certainly stands out as a cumulative threat in any match it graces.
Cards similar to Herald of Leshrac by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Herald of Leshrac MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Herald of Leshrac 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 Magic products
Printings
The Herald of Leshrac Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 62 | 2003 | normal | black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 2 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 38 | 2003 | normal | black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | CSP-62 | 2003 | normal | black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Herald of Leshrac has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Herald of Leshrac card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-07-15 | Herald of Leshrac’s leaves-the-battlefield ability affects all lands you control but don’t own, not just the ones you gained control of with Herald of Leshrac. For example, if you had gained control of an opponent’s land with Annex, its owner will regain control of that land. Annex will remain attached to it, but its effect will be overridden. |
| 2006-07-15 | When Herald of Leshrac’s cumulative upkeep ability resolves, if its age counters outnumber the number of lands on the battlefield that you don’t control, you can’t pay its cumulative upkeep cost and must sacrifice it. |
| 2006-07-15 | You must choose a different land you don’t control for each age counter on Herald of Leshrac. Otherwise, you’d try to gain control of a land you *do* control midway through paying the cost and need to back up. |
| 2013-04-15 | The cumulative upkeep trigger doesn’t target what you gain control of, and you don’t choose lands until the ability resolves. Your opponents can not tap lands in response to the choice, but they could respond to the ability by tapping any number of lands before you’ve made any choices. |
