Nearheath Pilgrim MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Soulbond
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	31
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Erica Yang

Key Takeaways

Soulbond gives Nearheath Pilgrim a unique edge by doubling utility, offering significant strategic advantages.
Lifelink ability contributes to resource acceleration, providing a defensive boost to outlast opponents.
Instant-speed pairing can lead to unexpected game swings, turning the tide in your favor.

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 Nearheath Pilgrim is paired with another creature, both creatures have lifelink.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Nearheath Pilgrim promotes strategic play by offering a soulbond mechanic, potentially providing double the benefits with just one card. This not only helps maintain parity, but can also tip the scales in your favor, effectively acting as two cards’ worth of value.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the Pilgrim’s lifelink ability can be a form of indirect resource acceleration. In a game where life can be used as a resource, maintaining a higher life total gives the player increased resilience and staying power to cast impactful spells later on.

Instant Speed: Though Nearheath Pilgrim itself isn’t an instant, its soulbond mechanic can create instant-speed interactions. Pairing with a creature that has entered the battlefield during the opponent’s turn can unexpectedly swing the game, giving you a lifelink creature ready to surprise an opponent during their attack phase or end of turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One noticeable drawback for Nearheath Pilgrim is the lack of discard mechanic which means it doesn’t directly synergize with decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies or madness abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Nearheath Pilgrim’s casting cost is specifically white, making it a less versatile choice in multicolored decks that may not prioritize white mana or have consistent access to it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, a 2/1 creature may be perceived as an investment that doesn’t necessarily match up against other options in terms of immediate board impact or late-game scalability.

Reasons to Include Nearheath Pilgrim in Your Collection

Versatility: Nearheath Pilgrim is a flexible inclusion that can adapt to numerous deck types. It offers a lifelink pairing that can bolster creature-based strategies, particularly in decks that need a stabilization mechanism against aggressive opponents.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that capitalize on life gain. In the right deck, Nearheath Pilgrim can pair with creatures that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or with cards that trigger upon gaining life, setting up dynamic plays that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: With an evolving game landscape, the value of life gain cannot be understated. Nearheath Pilgrim is particularly effective in a meta where burn decks or aggressive strategies are prevalent, providing a crucial buffer to outlast and overcome these high-tempo threats.

How to Beat Nearheath Pilgrim

Nearheath Pilgrim is a unique creature in MTG that brings a blend of resilience and resourcefulness to your battlefield. It stands out with its soulbond ability, which allows it to pair up with another creature and grant both creatures lifelink as long as they remain paired. This feature can often present a challenge to opponents, as it has the potential to swing the life totals in your favor during combat or through direct damage sources.

To effectively handle Nearheath Pilgrim, it’s vital to disrupt the soulbond pairing. Spells that can unsummon or permanently remove either the Pilgrim or its partner will negate the lifelink benefit. Targeted removal, such as Fatal Push or Swords to Plowshares, can efficiently do this job. Board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can also be decisive, clearing all creatures and removing the pairing in a fell swoop.

It’s also advisable to apply pressure with aggressive strategies and creatures with evasion abilities that can bypass the lifelink pairing. By maintaining control of the game with these methods, Nearheath Pilgrim’s influence can be significantly diminished, allowing you to tip the scales in your favor on your quest for victory in MTG.

Cards like Nearheath Pilgrim

Nearheath Pilgrim stands out in MTG for its life-linking capabilities and ability to enhance your creatures’ survival on the battlefield. The comparison brings to mind a card like Gift of Orzhova, which grants not just lifelink but also flying—two valuable abilities for creature enhancement. However, Nearheath Pilgrim’s strength lies in its Soulbond mechanic, which allows you to repeatedly pair it with different creatures as the game progresses. This flexibility is something that Gift of Orzhova, being an aura, cannot offer since it’s a one-time use.

Another analogous card is Ajani’s Pridemate, which also thrives on life gain, but with a different angle. The Pridemate grows stronger with each instance of life gain, making it a potent threat if left unchecked. In contrast, Nearheath Pilgrim is more defensive, aiming to sustain your life total rather than becoming an aggressively growing creature.

Astute players would note that the Pilgrim provides a persistent effect as long as it remains paired, which can be a more reliable form of lifelink in creature-heavy decks. Thus, for those seeking to outlast their opponents through incremental life gain and creature protection, Nearheath Pilgrim proves to be a card of strategic interest in MTG.

Cards similar to Nearheath Pilgrim by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nearheath Pilgrim 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 Nearheath Pilgrim and other MTG cards: