Loyal Retainers MTG Card


Loyal Retainers provides card advantage by reanimating legendary creatures directly to the battlefield. The card’s instant-speed sacrifice enables surprising shifts in gameplay and complex board interactions. While resourceful, it requires a careful deck-building approach given its specific mana and creature sacrifice demands.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Advisor
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

On your turn, before you attack you may put Loyal Retainers in your graveyard to take any one Legend card from your graveyard and put that creature into play.


Cards like Loyal Retainers

Loyal Retainers is a classic piece in the toolbox of reanimation strategies within Magic: The Gathering. This creature card allows players to return a legendary creature from their graveyard to the battlefield, a trait it shares with the notable Reya Dawnbringer. However, Loyal Retainers offers a more immediate effect at the cost of sacrificing itself, whereas Reya Dawnbringer brings back creatures slowly, at the upkeep of each turn.

Taking a look at other similar cards, we find Karmic Guide – a card that also resurrects creatures from the grave. Karmic Guide brings back any creature, not just legendary ones, and like Reya Dawnbringer, it has the echo mechanic, potentially allowing for repeated use. Yet, it’s the precision of Loyal Retainers in targeting legendary creatures that sets it apart, providing a niche advantage.

Lastly, let’s consider Marshal’s Anthem, an enchantment with a multitasking role. It can revive creatures while strengthening your army—a different angle from the focused revival power of Loyal Retainers. Each of these cards presents unique assets to the reanimating strategy, but Loyal Retainers is perfect for those seeking to specifically leverage the legends in their deck.

Reya Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Marshal's Anthem - MTG Card versions
Reya Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Marshal's Anthem - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Loyal Retainers by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Loyal Retainers. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo LegacyEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Loyal Retainers offers a unique form of card advantage by bringing a legendary creature from your graveyard directly onto the battlefield. This can turn the tide of a game by bypassing mana costs and timing restrictions associated with casting creatures.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to cheat creatures into play, Loyal Retainers can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. It circumvents the usual mana costs, enabling you to utilize your mana for other spells or to further your board presence in other ways.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Loyal Retainers can be sacrificed at instant speed, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn. This can lead to powerful surprise plays and unexpected shifts in board control.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Loyal Retainers is their return-from-graveyard ability, which necessitates the sacrifice of another creature. This condition can be particularly taxing if you’re already behind and don’t have expendable creatures on the board, essentially nullifying the card’s utility in critical moments.

Specific Mana Cost: Loyal Retainers demands a strict color alignment, costing three white mana to cast. This requirement can be restrictive for multicolored or splashed decks, making it potentially cumbersome to ensure the right mana is available when you need it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a single 1/1 creature, a mana cost of three might seem steep. In the current landscape, players might find this to be an inefficient allocation of resources, especially when other cards could provide more immediate impact or value for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Loyal Retainers in Your Collection

Versatility: Loyal Retainers can play a pivotal role in decks that focus on legendary creatures. With the ability to resurrect powerful creatures from the graveyard, they serve as an excellent support card in a variety of Commander decks.

Combo Potential: This card opens up a multitude of combo possibilities. It shines in strategies designed to exploit enter the battlefield and leave the battlefield effects, especially when combined with legendary creatures that have powerful death or ETB triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where legendary creatures are often centerpieces of a strategy, Loyal Retainers can quickly swing the board state in your favor. This is especially true in environments where recursion is a valuable tactic, making the card a key part of many competitive decks.


How to Beat

The enigmatic Loyal Retainers card brings a unique dynamic to the table in Magic the Gathering, permitting players to return a legendary creature from their graveyard to the battlefield. This effect has significant implications, particularly in decks that might rely on powerful legendary creature-centered strategies.

To effectively counter Loyal Retainers, consider employing graveyard disruption tactics. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can be game-changers, as they prohibit cards from entering the graveyard in the first place, rendering the Retainers’ ability useless. Additionally, strategic use of removal spells like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can ensure that the resurrected legendary creature is dealt with swiftly, denying your opponent the chance to capitalize on their resurgence.

Striking a balance between keen foresight and immediate action is essential when tackling a card like Loyal Retainers. Understanding when to disrupt the graveyard or eliminate a threat directly from the battlefield can make all the difference. Through mindful deck-building and sharp gameplay decisions, the challenge posed by Loyal Retainers can be effectively managed.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depths of MTG are immense, especially with cards like Loyal Retainers offering nuanced mechanics for reanimating legendary creatures. Leveraging its potential can set you ahead in complex game scenarios. Balancing its advantages against its cost and the specific needs of your deck is key to optimizing its use. If you’re keen on refining your strategies and incorporating cards like Loyal Retainers into your gameplay, we’re here to offer insights and guidance. Dive deeper with us and enhance your MTG prowess to make every card play a step towards victory. Expand your collection with purpose and precision.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Loyal Retainers MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Magic Online Promos, 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 Loyal Retainers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Loyal Retainers Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 121997NormalWhiteSolomon Au Yeung
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 479732003NormalBlackSolomon Au Yeung
32009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 201997NormalBlackSolomon Au Yeung
42012-11-02Commander's ArsenalCM1 102003NormalBlackSolomon Au Yeung
52015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 82015NormalBlackSolomon Au Yeung
62017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 42015NormalBorderlessBastien L. Deharme
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 392015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4652015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Loyal Retainers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelBanned
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-20 If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn.