Barrenton Medic MTG Card


Barrenton Medic - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Kithkin Cleric
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Power 0
Toughness 4
Number4
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTrevor Hairsine

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances board control with its repetitive untapping ability, offering substantial tactical advantages in game.
  2. Can be restrictive in deck-building due to specific white mana cost and moderate casting expense.
  3. Adept at fostering combos and defending against aggressive strategies, a versatile staple in varied decks.

Text of card

: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn. Put a -1/-1 counter on Barrenton Medic: Untap Barrenton Medic.

His dreams are filled with noxious powders and clinking vials.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barrenton Medic bolsters board presence by untapping not only itself but also another target creature. In longer games, this recurring ability ensures a steady stream of blockers and attackers, maximizing your resources on the field without spending extra cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting mana resources, Barrenton Medic’s versatility in protecting key creatures helps maintain board state. This, in turn, saves mana and resources typically expended on recasting important creatures, subtly accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: With the ability to untap creatures at instant speed, Barrenton Medic allows for surprise defenses and offensive shifts during combat. This flexibility ensures that you can adapt to changing board states in real-time, often leading to favorable trades or thwarted opponent strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Barrenton Medic does not directly ask for a card discard, mechanics that synergize with untapping creatures could force players into unfavorable discard positions to maintain its presence on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Barrenton Medic demands an exact mana alignment with a white deck, potentially restricting its integration into multi-color or colorless strategies and limiting its versatility for players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering its defensive abilities, Barrenton Medic comes with a moderate mana investment. There are creatures with lower mana costs that provide aggressive players with faster board impact, making Barrenton Medic a less attractive option in certain deck archetypes.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Barrenton Medic can be a flexible addition to decks that thrive on stalling strategies or those employing creatures with tap abilities. Its ability to prevent damage allows it to protect key pieces on your board, fitting into various defensive game plans with ease.

Combo Potential: With its untap ability, Barrenton Medic can combine with cards that have effects triggered by tapping or untapping creatures. This feature can be exploited in several combos, making it a secretly powerful piece in engines within an assortment of deck types.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where damage-based removal or aggressive strategies prevail, Barrenton Medic’s damage prevention can be crucial for maintaining a stable board presence and life total, possibly sidelining popular red deck wins or direct damage tactics.


How to Beat

Barrenton Medic is a unique piece in the puzzle of MTG strategies. As a card that brings a formidable untap ability, it allows players to prevent damage from a single source every turn, which can be a thorn in aggressive decks’ sides. Unlocking the secret to overcoming this resilient medic is crucial.

To counteract Barrenton Medic’s protective power, you can employ removal spells that bypass its untap ability. Think along the lines of instant-speed spells that can exile or destroy it before it gets a chance to untap. Wrath effects also offer a clean sweep, neatly circumventing its prevention effect. For a more subtle approach, countering it on the stack ensures that its ability never gets a chance to disrupt your game plan. You should also consider enhancing your deck with cards capable of winning through non-damage means, like direct life loss or mill strategies, which can effectively nullify the Medic’s defensive abilities.

Mastering your approach to cards like the Barrenton Medic is what distinguishes good players from great ones. By optimizing your deck with smart counters and strategies that render its strengths moot, you can tip the scales in your favor across the MTG battlegrounds.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring strategic depth in MTG is what elevates players from casual enthusiasts to master tacticians. With cards like Barrenton Medic offering nuanced defensive capabilities, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of versatility on the battlefield. Navigating through the exciting realm of MTG means constantly adapting and refining your deck. If you’re intrigued by the potential of cards that can continuously guard your most valuable assets or surprise your opponent with untapping tricks, we encourage you to delve deeper. Enhance your collection with pivotal cards and outwit your adversaries with well-informed strategies. Master the art of defense and emerge victorious by incorporating knowledge and cunning into each duel. Join us as we dive into the constantly evolving meta and unravel the secrets of achieving the upper hand in your MTG journey.


Cards like Barrenton Medic

Barrenton Medic stands out within the collection of creatures that can prevent damage in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to tap and prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to any target this turn allows for strategic play, reminiscent of cards like Benevolent Bodyguard. However, unlike the Bodyguard, Barrenton Medic doesn’t require a sacrifice, giving it more staying power on the board.

Another card with a safeguarding ability is Alaborn Zealot. At a low cost, it prevents damage to your creatures or you similar to Barrenton Medic, yet it offers just a one-time usage with its sacrifice element. In contrast, the Medic can be used turn after turn to shield your assets. Guardian of the Guildpact is notably more durable because of protection from monocolored, though it doesn’t have the damage prevention on demand that adds to the Medic’s versatility.

While exploring protectors within the game, we see Barrenton Medic not only as a defense but as a potential influencer for the game’s tactics due to its recurring use, making it a nuanced choice for players looking to bolster their line of defense over the long term.

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Alaborn Zealot - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Guildpact - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Alaborn Zealot - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Guildpact - MTG Card versions

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Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
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Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
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Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barrenton Medic MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Barrenton Medic and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barrenton Medic has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-05-01 You put the -1/-1 counter on Barrenton Medic as a cost. That means it happens when you activate the ability, not when it resolves. If paying the cost causes the creature to have 0 toughness, it’s put into the graveyard before you can untap it and before you can even pay the cost again.

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