Beloved Chaplain MTG Card


Beloved Chaplain - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Abilities Protection
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number11
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDarrell Riche

Key Takeaways

  1. Protection from creatures ensures a lasting board presence, making Beloved Chaplain a persistent defensive force.
  2. Flexibility and synergy with combo decks heighten Beloved Chaplain’s value across various MTG strategies.
  3. Despite its defenses, incorporating versatile removal strategies can effectively neutralize Beloved Chaplain.

Text of card

Protection from creatures

Nomad and Nantuko, eagle and elephant; all the birds and beasts are charmed by his quiet dignity.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a stalwart defender on the battlefield, Beloved Chaplain’s protection from creatures ensures it stays in play longer. This may deter opponents from attacking, effectively allowing you to maintain card advantage by preserving your board state.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, the ability to consistently attack without fear of being blocked can accelerate your game plan. This can indirectly put pressure on opponents, leading to misallocated resources on their part.

Instant Speed: Though Beloved Chaplain does not operate at instant speed, its implications during combat are noteworthy. Opponents must always consider the untouchable nature of Beloved Chaplain, which can lead to instant-speed decisions that may not be in their favor. Moreover, its synergistic potential with other cards that manipulate combat at instant speed can be a tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Beloved Chaplain card doesn’t necessitate a discard, allowing players to maintain their hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: While the Beloved Chaplain requires only white mana to play, it may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that might be mana stretched.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its ability to be unblockable, the Beloved Chaplain’s overall cost might seem steep, especially considering there are other creatures offering similar untargetable benefits at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Beloved Chaplain is quite a flexible addition that fits nicely in decks focused on defense or utility creatures. Its protection from creatures ability makes it a reliable blocker against a multitude of combat threats.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that capitalize on tapping or untapping creatures, Beloved Chaplain elevates such synergies due to its evasion, turning into a consistent engine for various combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: As combat-focused decks remain prevalent, having an individual creature that sidesteps direct conflicts ensures lasting board presence, enhancing your strategic foothold in multiple game scenarios.


How to beat

The Beloved Chaplain from Magic: The Gathering is known for its unusual defense capabilities, most notably its protection from creatures. It stands out in the early game by being virtually untouchable in combat, making it a challenging target for opponents relying heavily on creature-based strategies to remove threats. Despite this toughness, there are still clever ways to maneuver around the Chaplain’s defenses.

Non-creature spells become your go-to option for dealing with the Chaplain. Consider removal spells that don’t specify targeting a creature or that cause players to sacrifice creatures, such as board wipes or effects that alter the game state, like Rule of Law, which can keep the Chaplain’s influence in check. Enchantment-based removals, such as Pacifism, can also neutralize the Chaplain without directly engaging it in combat. Additionally, ensuring that your own strategy doesn’t heavily hinge on creatures can diminish the impact of Beloved Chaplain on your game plan. This shifts the focus away from combat and towards other victory conditions which this elusive card cannot obstruct.

In essence, while Beloved Chaplain may initially seem like a fortress on the battlefield, adapting your removal strategy to include non-creature based solutions and diversifying your game plan can effectively circumvent its protection and leave your opponent open to defeat.


Cards like Beloved Chaplain

The Beloved Chaplain stands out in the realm of utility creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Mother of Runes which offers protection to your creatures. Yet, the Beloved Chaplain brings a unique defensive angle with its protection from creatures, making it an unassailable blocker. Unlike Mother of Runes, it doesn’t require tapping to protect your creatures, but instead maintains a constant state of defense.

Examining Dawn Elemental reveals another creature with similarities, possessing protection from creatures as well. However, Dawn Elemental demands a more color-intensive commitment and doesn’t provide the offensive capabilities of the Beloved Chaplain due to its lack of power. Lastly, True Believer is comparable, granting you shroud to safeguard against targeted spells. While it protects the player, True Believer doesn’t impact the battlefield as the Chaplain does through its resilient blocking presence.

In essence, while there are various options for protection and tactical defense in Magic: The Gathering, Beloved Chaplain offers a blend of steadfast blocking and low mana cost, placing it favorably among creatures valued for their defensive contributions to the game.

Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Dawn Elemental - MTG Card versions
True Believer - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Dawn Elemental - Scourge (SCG)
True Believer - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Beloved Chaplain by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
Revered Dead - MTG Card versions
Starlight Invoker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Urza's Saga (USG)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Revered Dead - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Starlight Invoker - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Beloved Chaplain MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Beloved Chaplain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Beloved Chaplain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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