Cleric of Chill Depths MTG Card


Cleric of Chill Depths - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Cleric
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number51
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byLivia Prima

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides board control by affecting opponent creature’s ability to untap, shifting combat dynamics.
  2. Instant speed use adds flexibility, allowing players to react without committing early.
  3. Demands blue mana and card-in-hand considerations, making deck compatibility essential.

Text of card

Whenever Cleric of Chill Depths blocks a creature, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

"Before my people turned to false gods, we built a glittering city beneath the northern sea ice. The magic of ancient Benthidrix lives in me!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cleric of Chill Depths can be key in sustaining card equilibrium by potentially preventing the loss of your own creatures in combat. This, in turn, allows you to maintain the upper hand on the board by preserving your valuable assets.

Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t generate additional mana or treasures directly, the card’s ability to keep opposing creatures at bay can indirectly conserve the resources that might otherwise be spent on creature regeneration or casting defensive spells.

Instant Speed: Serving as a deterrent that can be played at instant speed, Cleric of Chill Depths can instantaneously alter the dynamics of combat. This enables a strategic advantage by forcing the opponent to second-guess attacks or by saving your creatures without prior commitment to the board during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Cleric of Chill Depths demands specific cards in hand to fully utilize its abilities. When your hand runs low, kicking into action this creature’s full potential may become challenging, leading to missed opportunities and stalled gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s demand for blue mana restricts its inclusion to decks that can consistently provide that color. Players without a steady source of blue mana might find it hard to summon this cleric exactly when needed, potentially hindering strategy fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the mana cost might seem fair at first glance, in the competitive landscape, there are quite a few alternatives that could pose a better threat or provide more utility on the battlefield for the same or a lower mana investment. Careful deckbuilding is required to justify its place over other options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cleric of Chill Depths is a flexible card that can easily fit into blue-based control or tempo decks. Its ability to hinder opponent’s creatures gives it a wide range of uses across multiple formats.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that incentivize blocking, such as leveraging lifegain or utilizing synergistic effects when creatures enter or leave the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive red or green creature decks are prevalent, Cleric of Chill Depths shines by offering a cost-effective way to slow the assault and help stabilize the board.


How to Beat

The Cleric of Chill Depths is an intriguing card used to control the battlefield in MTG. With the ability to prevent a creature from untapping during its controller’s next untap step, it can be a real thorn in the side. But how do you efficiently handle this chilly cleric?

To effectively beat the Cleric of Chill Depths, direct removal spells are your best friend. Since it’s a creature with modest toughness, a simple Shock or Fatal Push can take it off the board. Moreover, spells that bypass the combat step, such as Lava Coil or Cast Down, can eliminate the cleric before it ever gets a chance to block. When facing a deck using multiple Clerics of Chill Depths, sweepers like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can clear the board and reset the playing field. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of flying or unblockable creatures, which can soar over or slip past the cleric without ever needing to engage it directly.

Understanding the Cleric’s strengths and weaknesses can swing the match in your favor. Utilize your removal judiciously, and the cleric will be sent back to the depths in no time.


Cards like Cleric of Chill Depths

Cleric of Chill Depths is a tactical card from Magic: The Gathering, revered for its creature protection abilities. Much like the Cathedral Sanctifier, it offers a specific function where it prevents damage from creatures it’s blocking, a fine utility in the early stages of the game. The Cleric, however, stands out with its low mana cost and added freezing effect, something the Sanctifier misses entirely.

In the realm of defensive creatures, we also notice a resemblance to Wall of Frost. Both cards excel at deterring attacks, but the Wall of Frost has a broader impact, preventing all damage from creatures it blocks and locking them down for the subsequent turn. Cleric of Chill Depths is less robust stat-wise but compensates with its lower mana cost and early game playability.

Comparing Cleric of Chill Depths to these similar cards highlights its value as an early blocker with a unique freezing mechanic. In a battlefield where stalling aggressive strategies is key, the Cleric can be an invaluable addition to a deck that aims to pace the game and build towards a powerful endgame.

Cathedral Sanctifier - MTG Card versions
Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Cathedral Sanctifier - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Wall of Frost - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Cleric of Chill Depths by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Sage - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lord of Atlantis - Wizards Play Network 2024 (PW24)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Soldevi Sage - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cleric of Chill Depths MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Cleric of Chill Depths and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cleric of Chill Depths has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-09-25 If the blocked creature is untapped (most likely because it has vigilance), the ability doesn’t tap it.
2020-09-25 The blocked creature doesn’t untap even if Cleric of Chill Depths leaves the battlefield before that creature’s controller’s next upkeep.

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