Diregraf Escort MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Soulbond
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	174
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ryan Pancoast

Key Takeaways

Diregraf Escort’s protection ability can unexpectedly counteract removal spells, lending a tactical edge.
Soulbond grants instant protection, making it a flexible response during critical gameplay moments.
Despite its niche use, Diregraf Escort is a valuable asset against targeted zombie threats.

Text of card

Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Diregraf Escort is paired with another creature, both creatures have protection from Zombies.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Diregraf Escort doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its protection ability can be a form of card advantage because it helps to keep your key creatures on the battlefield, potentially outmatching an opponent’s removal spells.

Resource Acceleration: It might not directly accelerate resources, but by safeguarding a creature with its soulbond ability, the Diregraf Escort can ultimately contribute to maintaining your board presence. This can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by keeping your more valuable creatures in play to attack or use their abilities.

Instant Speed: Diregraf Escort itself isn’t an instant, but its soulbond ability to give another creature protection from Zombies can be activated at instant speed. This means that you can surprise an opponent by pairing Diregraf Escort with another creature right before blockers are declared or in response to a removal spell targeting your creatures, potentially shifting the tide of battle in your favor.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Diregraf Escort demands a solid green mana commitment, which might not gel well with multi-colored or color-flexible decks. This restriction can reduce the overall versatility of the card and potentially diminish its desirability for decks that rely on a broader mana base.

Discard Requirement: While Diregraf Escort doesn’t inherently require you to discard a card, in the broader context of gameplay, certain synergies might necessitate discarding as part of a strategic setup. This can become a downside if you find yourself with a hand you don’t want to deplete, which can happen with strategy-dependent cards like Diregraf Escort.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only a single green mana might seem low-cost at first glance, when you compare Diregraf Escort to other one-drop creatures, it might lack the impact or utility that others provide. Its ability is niche and doesn’t offer immediate board presence or advantage, which can be critical in the early game stages where mana efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Diregraf Escort in Your Collection

Versatility: Diregraf Escort serves as an excellent tool in any deck that focuses on utilizing creatures, especially in formats where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent. Its ability to grant protection from Zombies can make it a strategic sideboard card against undead-heavy decks.

Combo Potential: With its soulbond ability, Diregraf Escort pairs well with creatures that could benefit from protection, thereby supporting synergistic plays and defending key creatures within your combo sequences.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where Zombie decks are part of the competitive scene, having Diregraf Escort can provide an edge. It acts as a silver bullet against such decks, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and improving your matches in this particular meta.

How to Beat

Diregraf Escort poses a unique challenge when you’re facing it across the battlefield. This particular card functions as a safeguard, particularly for those who build their strategies around creatures in the Magic: The Gathering universe. The ability of Diregraf Escort to grant protection from spells that would target a creature provides a solid defense, often foiling plans for targeted removal or debuffs. In the event where creature-based strategies are heavy in your opponent’s deck, Diregraf Escort becomes even more of a roadblock.

To effectively maneuver around Diregraf Escort, considering the use of board wipes or global removal spells can be a game-changer. Since these do not target individual creatures, the protective shield offered by Diregraf Escort becomes null. Spells like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict bypass the need for targeting and clear the board irrespective of such protection abilities. Another strategy is employing cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, such as Diabolic Edict, as these circumvent the need to target Diregraf Escort directly. Spotting the right moment to deploy these can swing the game in your favor, neutralizing the steadfast defense that Diregraf Escort provides.

Therefore, while it may seem challenging at first, experienced players know that with the right spells and timing, overcoming the stalwart Diregraf Escort is entirely possible, tipping the scales back to a balanced state of play.

Cards like Diregraf Escort

Diregraf Escort presents a unique role within the realm of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to cards like Carapace Forger, which strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and fulfilling specific roles within a deck. Diregraf Escort shines when it’s protecting key creatures from spells of a particular color, similar to the way Carapace Forger takes advantage of having a high power and toughness for a low mana cost in artifact-rich decks.

Diregraf Escort’s specialized ability to grant protection is mirrored in cards like Mother of Runes. Although Mother of Runes offers more flexibility by allowing the protection of creatures from any color on demand, Diregraf Escort brings specificity to a deck built around a zombie theme or against certain matchups. Another parallel can be drawn with cards like Standard Bearer, which also operates as a shield for your more valuable creatures on the battlefield but through a different mechanic of attracting targeted spells.

While Diregraf Escort’s competitively low mana cost and specific protection skill set may not be as versatile as others, it can certainly become an essential part of a winning strategy, especially within decks built to leverage its undead synergies and protective capabilities against mono-colored decks.

Cards similar to Diregraf Escort by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Diregraf Escort MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Diregraf Escort and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Diregraf Escort has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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