Archpriest of Iona MTG Card


The Archpriest elevates party-based decks, granting significant buffs as your party’s diversity grows. White mana requirement can limit deck diversity, necessitating strategic mana base planning. Its scaling power keeps it relevant, a formidable asset in evolving MTG metagames.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power *
Toughness 2

Text of card

Archpriest of Iona's power is equal to the number of creatures in your party. (Your party consists of up to one each of Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, and Wizard.) At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you have a full party, target creature gets +1/+1 and gains flying until end of turn.


Cards like Archpriest of Iona

The Archpriest of Iona stands out in the world of MTG as a unique one-drop creature that scales with the number of creatures on your playing field. When you compare it to other party-centric cards, its potential to be a robust opening play is evident. For example, take the Stonework Packbeast which also interacts with the party mechanic. While the Packbeast offers flexibility by fitting into any party role, it doesn’t provide the growing offensive power of the Archpriest based on the party size.

Another card to consider is the Seasoned Hallowblade, offering a resilient two-drop option for decks; it lacks the party synergy but brings dependable staying power to the table. Comparatively, Squad Commander provides a substantial benefit in later stages of the game and rewards you for having a full party by creating tokens, something the Archpriest does not. However, the immediate impact on the board state and the early game momentum provided by Archpriest of Iona can be unmatched in speed-focused party decks.

Evaluating these similar cards, the Archpriest of Iona’s unique strength lies in its early game aggression, scaling alongside your party’s growth, a trait that is not mirrored by many others, earning it an esteemed spot in MTG decks focusing on the party mechanic.

Stonework Packbeast - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Hallowblade - MTG Card versions
Squad Commander - MTG Card versions
Stonework Packbeast - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Hallowblade - MTG Card versions
Squad Commander - MTG Card versions

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Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Tundra Wolves - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Eager Cadet - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Archpriest of Iona’s strength lies in its synergy with a party mechanic, elevating deck dynamics by potentially drawing out key creatures that enhance its power level and effectiveness in battle.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the Archpriest encourages a rapid deployment of party members, indirectly accelerating your board presence and setting up for powerful plays that can outpace the opponent.

Instant Speed: Although the Archpriest itself does not operate at instant speed, its passive effect boosts your party’s might swiftly, rewarding you for playing other instant speed tribal cards, making it a formidable early play that scales with the game’s progression.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Archpriest of Iona’s strength ties to the number of party members you control, which might force tactical discards to assemble a full party and maximize her potential. This can cost you valuable cards at crucial moments if your hand isn’t well-suited to such a demand.

Specific Mana Cost: Archpriest of Iona demands white mana in its cost, potentially restricting it to party-centric or white decks. This can be a downside in multicolored decks where the white mana may not be as readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only one white mana seems cost-efficient, needing a full party to extract its full value could indirectly increase its cost. Establishing a complete party often requires committing additional mana and cards from your hand, which could be devoted to more immediate threats or answers on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Archpriest of Iona in Your Collection

Versatility: Archpriest of Iona shines in decks with a party mechanic focus and adapts to various board states. Its power level adjusts with the diversity of creatures you control, making it a dynamic addition to your lineup.

Combo Potential: This card can exponentially increase its strength in combination with other party members. Each additional Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, or Wizard you summon amplifies Archpriest of Iona’s power, paving the way for powerful synergies and game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to quickly scale in power, Archpriest of Iona remains relevant, particularly in environments where party synergies thrive. Its early presence can establish a robust board state that adapts well against various metagame trends, maintaining its status as a formidable play.


How to Beat

Archpriest of Iona is a card that brings a lot of potential to the board the moment it’s played in MTG. This creature’s power is equal to the number of creatures in your party, making it a formidable presence in party-centric decks. To effectively counter this card, it is essential to limit the number of creatures your opponent has on the battlefield. Board wipes like Shatter the Sky or targeted removal spells such as Heartless Act can keep the Archpriest’s power in check. It’s also beneficial to prevent party formation by removing key creatures that contribute to completing a party, thus diminishing Archpriest of Iona’s influence on the game state.

Another tactic to undermine this card’s strength is to disrupt your opponent’s curve. Counterspells like Drown in the Loch can be used to prevent the Archpriest from ever entering play. Not only does this maintain control of the game, but it also puts you in an advantageous position by reducing the threats you face. By staying ahead in the creature count and strategically managing removals and counters, you can effectively neutralize the impact of Archpriest of Iona and maintain dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the potential of Archpriest of Iona in MTG hinges on understanding its synergy with the party mechanic and clever deck construction. If you’re eager to craft a party-centric deck or simply want to know where Archpriest fits into the current meta, we’ve got you covered. Discover how to optimize your deck’s composition to bolster your board presence early on and how to counterplay against rival strategies. Join our community of seasoned players and enrich your knowledge. Together, we’ll explore advanced tactics and strategic insights to harness the full power of Archpriest of Iona and other key MTG cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Archpriest of Iona MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 Archpriest of Iona and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Archpriest of Iona Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Denman Rooke.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 837642015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
22020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 52015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
32020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 3162015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
42020-09-25Zendikar Rising PromosPZNR 5p2015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
52020-09-25Zendikar Rising PromosPZNR 5s2015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
62022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 6862015NormalBlackDenman Rooke

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Archpriest of Iona has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-09-25 An ability referring to the number of creatures in your party gets a number from zero to four. Such abilities never ask which creatures are in your party, and you never have to designate specific creatures as being in your party. You can't choose to exclude creatures from this count to lower the number.
2020-09-25 Archpriest of Iona's power is constantly updated as the number of creatures in your party changes. If Archpriest of Iona is on the battlefield, it will consider itself as a Cleric.
2020-09-25 If a creature has more than one party creature type, and there are multiple ways to count that creature that could result in a different number of creatures in your party, the highest such number is used. For example, if you control a Cleric and a Cleric Wizard, the number of creatures in your party is two. You can't choose to have it be just one by counting the Cleric Wizard first as a Cleric.
2020-09-25 Once the target creature gets +1/+1 and gains flying, it keeps those bonuses even if you no longer have a full party later in the turn.
2020-09-25 Some cards refer to you having a “full party.” This is true if the number of creatures in your party is four.
2020-09-25 The ability that defines Archpriest of Iona's power applies in all zones, not just the battlefield.
2020-09-25 The last ability won't trigger at all if you don't have a full party as your combat phase begins. It won't grant +1/+1 or flying if you don't have a full party as it resolves. The number of creatures in your party may change between these times, however.
2020-09-25 To determine “the number of creatures in your party,” check whether you control a Cleric, whether you control a Rogue, whether you control a Warrior, and whether you control a Wizard. The number is the total number of those checks to which you answered yes. Each creature you control can be counted for only one of those checks.