Herald of Serra MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Angel
Abilities	Echo,Flying, Vigilance
Released	1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Saga
Set code	USG
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	17
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matthew D. Wilson

Key Takeaways

Herald of Serra accelerates gameplay by untapping lands, allowing for faster and more dynamic plays.
Provides card advantage through deck peeks, ensuring players maintain a resourceful hand throughout the game.
Operates at instant speed, surprising opponents and integrating smoothly into various strategic phases.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying; echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.) Attacking does not cause Herald of Serra to tap.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you bring Herald of Serra into the battle, it’s like welcoming an ally that’s always ready to lend you a hand. This card shines by letting you peek at the top few cards of your deck, giving you the chance to grab more of your forces and resources, ensuring your hand is never empty.

Resource Acceleration: Herald of Serra doesn’t just watch from the sidelines—it actively pitches in by untapping your lands. This nifty trick ramps up your resources, effectively speeding up your game plan and letting you cast more spells or summon more creatures ahead of time.

Instant Speed: The might of Herald of Serra isn’t just in what it does, but also in when it does it. With instant speed, this card fits seamlessly into your strategy, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice, catching opponents off guard and ensuring you’re always one step ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Herald of Serra necessitates that players discard a card to unleash some of its abilities. Untimely discarding can whittle down your hand, hindering strategic flexibility and leaving you vulnerable to running out of options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a commitment to white mana in your deck, as it specifically requires white mana, which might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored deck strategies without sufficient mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to summon Herald of Serra is not nominal—commanding a chunk of your mana pool. In fast-paced games, this can be a considerable drawback, as by the time it’s played, opponents may have already established a formidable board presence or set up defensive measures that mitigate Herald of Serra’s impact.

Reasons to Include Herald of Serra in Your Collection

Versatility: Herald of Serra is sufficiently flexible to play a role in various deck types. Its ability to provide consistent life gain makes it a valuable asset for both aggressive and defensive strategies, supporting its inclusion across numerous playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with other cards that favor life gain mechanics. It can be an integral part of combos revolving around life totals, enabling powerful interactions in the right deck builds.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing nature of the MTG landscape, Herald of Serra can become an essential tool in combating the prevalent tactics. Its life gain and flying capability, along with its angelic subtype, can offer significant advantages against the current competitive decks focused on direct damage and ground creatures.

How to beat

Herald of Serra is a unique card that presents a challenge on the battlefield due to its vigilance and the protective umbrella it extends to other creatures. This vigilance makes it a persistent threat as it can defend while remaining ready to attack on the next turn. Additionally, the added bonus of bolstering other creatures emphasizes the need to handle this card adeptly.

To effectively counter Herald of Serra, it’s crucial to utilize removal spells that can bypass its defenses. Spells such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat that target creatures directly are effective. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can sweep away multiple threats at once, including Herald of Serra, regardless of its vigilance and buffing abilities. Furthermore, enchantment removals like Disenchant come in handy to dismantle any auras that may be empowering Herald of Serra.

Having a strategic plan in place for this card is key. Players should focus on removing it quickly with targeted removal or plan for a larger board reset. By doing so, they can regain control of the game and negate the broad advantages Herald of Serra offers to the opponent.

Cards like Herald of Serra

Herald of Serra elevates the angel creature archetype in MTG with its impressive abilities. Comparable to cards like Serra Angel, Herald of Serra boasts the coveted vigilance trait, allowing it to attack without tapping. This is a key advantage shared by both, enabling persistent offensive and defensive strategies. However, Herald of Serra differentiates itself by also providing a boost to other creatures, bolstering their capabilities in battle much like the way a lord card would, which Serra Angel does not.

Another card worthy of mention is Radiant, Archangel, which also glides into the battlefield with vigilance and the angelic theme. Radiant, however, scales in power and toughness with the number of flyers you control, emphasizing a swarm strategy. Meanwhile, Herald of Serra grants a static upgrade to your creatures on the battlefield. With its unique blend of vigilance and support, Herald of Serra stands out in comparison to these similar cards.

Exploring these cards further, MTG players can identify the diverse strategies and synergy potential in their angel-themed decks. While each card offers unique tactical advantages, Herald of Serra’s ability to empower others makes it a valuable asset in any white creature-focused deck.

Cards similar to Herald of Serra by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Herald of Serra MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Serra and other MTG cards: