Loxodon Hierarch MTG Card


This MTG card grants a significant two-for-one advantage and excels in creature protection strategies. Its instant-speed sacrifice ability makes it a versatile defensive asset in tight situations. Deck synergy and meta relevance make Loxodon Hierarch a formidable inclusion in varied MTG strategies.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elephant Cleric
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Loxodon Hierarch comes into play, you gain 4 life. , Sacrifice Loxodon Hierarch: Regenerate each creature you control.

"I have lived long, and I remember how this city once was. If my death serves to bring back the Ravnica in my memory, then so be it."


Cards like Loxodon Hierarch

Loxodon Hierarch stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a multi-faceted creature card. Much like Kitchen Finks, Loxodon Hierarch offers a life gain upon entering the battlefield, providing a solid buffer for your life total. Yet, Loxodon Hierarch boasts an additional protective ability, giving players the option to sacrifice it for a temporary shield against removal or damage to their other creatures and themselves.

Another counterpart in the realm of creature cards is Thragtusk. Similar to Loxodon Hierarch, it provides a significant life gain, but also leaves behind a token creature when it leaves the battlefield. While both cards offer resilience, Loxodon Hierarch offers that unique safeguard through its sacrifice ability. Centaur Healer also shares the life-gain trait upon entering the battlefield, yet Loxodon Hierarch’s sturdier stat line and the safeguard mechanic make it more versatile in staving off threats.

Ultimately, Loxodon Hierarch holds its ground as a card that combines robust presence on the board with defensive strategies, making it a preferred choice for players who prioritize flexibility and endurance in their decks within the Magic: The Gathering universe.

Kitchen Finks - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Centaur Healer - MTG Card versions
Kitchen Finks - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Centaur Healer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Loxodon Hierarch by color, type and mana cost

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Kei Takahashi - MTG Card versions
Asmira, Holy Avenger - MTG Card versions
Charging Troll - MTG Card versions
Ancient Spider - MTG Card versions
Mystic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Mycoid Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Emiel the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Heron's Grace Champion - MTG Card versions
Lathiel, the Bounteous Dawn - MTG Card versions
Leinore, Autumn Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa - MTG Card versions
Wilt-Leaf Liege - MTG Card versions
Sigil Captain - MTG Card versions
Knight of New Alara - MTG Card versions
Leonin Armorguard - MTG Card versions
Prized Elephant - MTG Card versions
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - MTG Card versions
Grovetender Druids - MTG Card versions
Bronzebeak Moa - MTG Card versions
Ahn-Crop Champion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Loxodon Hierarch not only brings a considerable presence to the battlefield but also provides an inherent two-for-one advantage, as it can selflessly sacrifice itself to protect your other valuable creatures or your life total from a threatening situation.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, this card effectively accelerates your board state with its substantial body and the ability to conserve resources that might otherwise be spent on creature protection, enabling you to allocate mana towards further game-progressing plays instead.

Instant Speed: The Hierarch’s ability to respond at instant speed with its sacrifice effect transforms it into a flexible defensive tool. Coupled with its respectable stats, Loxodon Hierarch serves as both a formidable creature and a protective measure that can be leveraged in a pinch without the need to commit mana ahead of time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Loxodon Hierarch doesn’t make you discard, its requirement to sacrifice it for the life-gain ability can leave you without a creature when you might need it most.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green and white mana, Loxodon Hierarch necessitates a dedicated mana base, which can lead to constraints in deck-building and potentially limits its inclusion to certain types of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two colored mana, Loxodon Hierarch’s presence on the field can come later in the game. There are lower-cost creatures with similar impactful abilities that could be played earlier, affecting the board sooner.


Reasons to Include Loxodon Hierarch in Your Collection

Versatility: Loxodon Hierarch isn’t just a creature; it’s a dynamic tool for your deck. As a 4/4 that brings you 4 life at entry, it can beef up your defense in a variety of deck builds, especially those looking for a solid body with a life buffer.

Combo Potential: This elephant cleric plays well with others, offering synergy in decks that capitalize on its creature type or its enter-the-battlefield healing effect. Whether you’re triggering life-gain related abilities or just need a sturdy blocker that can gain you life, the Hierarch helps stitch together winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s closely dictated by ever-changing popular decks, Loxodon Hierarch prevails as a relevant choice. It can stand up against aggressive red burn and weathers the onslaught of black’s creature destruction with its sacrifice ability to protect your other creatures from a board wipe. Don’t overlook the Hierarch’s enduring presence in various meta scenarios.


How to beat

Loxodon Hierarch is an impactful creature card around which many Magic: The Gathering decks are built, thanks to its combination of size, life gain, and the ability to protect other creatures. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to have a strategy that can either remove it before its abilities trigger or negate its effects altogether. Cards with exile effects, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, are prime examples of clean answers to it. Additionally, counter spells are effective as they prevent Loxodon Hierarch from entering the battlefield in the first place.

Another strategy is to prevent the life gain from being a factor. Using cards that replace the effect, like Tainted Remedy, turns the intended advantage into a disadvantage. If the Hierarch does manage to hit the board, attempting to bypass it instead of confronting it head-on might be the smarter move. Evading the Hierarch with flying creatures or using unblockable creatures can maintain your tempo and pressure your opponent effectively. In short, being prepared with a suite of control or evasion tactics can help your deck maintain dominance over a Loxodon Hierarch-led strategy.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the utility of Loxodon Hierarch can fortify your deck and provide essential defense strategies against formidable opponents. This MTG card’s versatility in providing life gain, a strong board presence, and protecting your creatures makes it an asset in green-white decks. While considering your mana base and deck synergy is crucial, incorporating the Hierarch can turn tides in your favor. For players aiming to optimize their gameplay and explore the dynamic capabilities of their decks, the Hierarch’s qualities should not be underestimated. Continue enhancing your collection and refine your strategies with us to ensure each match is a step towards victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Loxodon Hierarch MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas, 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 Loxodon Hierarch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Loxodon Hierarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2018-11-02. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 2142003NormalBlackKev Walker
22011-09-02Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol BolasDDH 152003NormalBlackKev Walker
32018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 1142015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Loxodon Hierarch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2005-10-01 The second ability sets up individual regeneration shields for each creature you control. They are each used up as necessary during the turn and wear off when the turn ends.