Vedalken Heretic MTG Card


Card draw from damage dealt by Vedalken Heretic promotes sustained hand quality and game pressure. Despite its specific mana cost, the Heretic’s instant-speed card advantage is a strategic boon. A delicate balance of strengths and weaknesses make Vedalken Heretic a nuanced choice for decks.
Vedalken Heretic - Alara Reborn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vedalken Rogue
Released2009-04-30
Set symbol
Set nameAlara Reborn
Set codeARB
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number104
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Staples

Text of card

Whenever Vedalken Heretic deals damage to an opponent, you may draw a card.

"Etherium clouded my eyes, clogged my ears, desensitized my skin. Now that I can feel, I can begin to learn."


Cards like Vedalken Heretic

Vedalken Heretic is a unique creature in the Magic: The Gathering universe that rewards players for dealing damage to opponents by drawing cards. This ability aligns with other card-drawing creatures like Ohran Viper, which also provides card advantage upon damaging a player. Conversely, Vedalken Heretic’s effect is more consistent as it does not depend on the creature’s power and simply requires dealing damage.

Another analogous card is Cold-Eyed Selkie, where card draw scales with damage dealt, making it potentially more rewarding than Vedalken Heretic in situations where you can boost its power. However, Vedalken Heretic’s lower mana cost makes it a swift choice for decks looking to churn through their library. Lastly, Edric, Spymaster of Trest may be mentioned for promoting a similar strategy, offering card draws for any unblocked creature, but it benefits all players, adding an extra layer of strategy to its use.

When assessing these options, Vedalken Heretic stands out for its simplicity and potential to synergize well with unblockable and evasion-heavy strategies, ensuring a steady flow of card advantage.

Ohran Viper - MTG Card versions
Cold-Eyed Selkie - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions
Ohran Viper - MTG Card versions
Cold-Eyed Selkie - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vedalken Heretic by color, type and mana cost

Wood Sage - MTG Card versions
Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy - MTG Card versions
Coiling Oracle - MTG Card versions
Thrasios, Triton Hero - MTG Card versions
Kiora's Follower - MTG Card versions
Zameck Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Nimbus Swimmer - MTG Card versions
Frilled Oculus - MTG Card versions
Skyrider Elf - MTG Card versions
Plaxmanta - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Hydroid Krasis - MTG Card versions
Biomancer's Familiar - MTG Card versions
Ice-Fang Coatl - MTG Card versions
Verazol, the Split Current - MTG Card versions
River Hoopoe - MTG Card versions
Maraleaf Pixie - MTG Card versions
Quandrix Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Lonis, Cryptozoologist - MTG Card versions
Shambleshark - MTG Card versions
Wood Sage - MTG Card versions
Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy - MTG Card versions
Coiling Oracle - MTG Card versions
Thrasios, Triton Hero - MTG Card versions
Kiora's Follower - MTG Card versions
Zameck Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Nimbus Swimmer - MTG Card versions
Frilled Oculus - MTG Card versions
Skyrider Elf - MTG Card versions
Plaxmanta - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Hydroid Krasis - MTG Card versions
Biomancer's Familiar - MTG Card versions
Ice-Fang Coatl - MTG Card versions
Verazol, the Split Current - MTG Card versions
River Hoopoe - MTG Card versions
Maraleaf Pixie - MTG Card versions
Quandrix Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Lonis, Cryptozoologist - MTG Card versions
Shambleshark - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vedalken Heretic rewards you each time it deals damage to an opponent by allowing you to draw a card. It efficiently turns any combat success into an opportunity to enhance your hand, setting the stage for future plays and maintaining pressure on the opposition.

Resource Acceleration: Although Vedalken Heretic doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, the card draw it offers can swiftly lead to the acquisition of necessary land drops or spells that accelerate your resources. Consistent card draw can also ensure that you hit your land drops, indirectly contributing to acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Vedalken Heretic itself is cast at sorcery speed, the card advantage it provides can furnish you with more instant speed interactions. With a fuller hand, you’re more likely to have a response when it matters most—during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Vedalken Heretic doesn’t require discarding as part of its effect, it does necessitate having other cards to trigger its ability, which could lead to a deficit in your hand if you’re not drawing enough.

Specific Mana Cost: Vedalken Heretic requires both green and blue mana to be cast, which might not blend seamlessly into all deck builds, especially those that focus on a single color or lack a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of two mana, one of which is hybrid, might not be exorbitant, but in decks that strive for maximum efficiency, there are alternative lower-cost creatures that could be played earlier in the game or offer more immediate board presence or utility.


Reasons to Include Vedalken Heretic in Your Collection

Versatility: Vedalken Heretic is a great addition to decks that need consistent draw capabilities. With the ability to draw a card each time it deals damage to an opponent, it integrates well with strategies that focus on creature buffs or evasive maneuvers.

Combo Potential: Integrating this card with ways to increase the number of times it can deal damage, such as giving it double strike or untapping mechanics, opens up possibilities for drawing multiple cards in a single turn. This can exponentially increase the speed at which you get to your key cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where slower, control-heavy decks prevail, Vedalken Heretic helps keep your hand full and applies pressure to an opponent’s life total. It encourages a more proactive gameplay even in decks that aren’t necessarily aggressive, making it a valuable utility card in various match-ups.


How to beat Vedalken Heretic

Vedalken Heretic is a notorious creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to draw a card each time it deals damage to an opponent. To counter this elusive adversary, strategic removal spells are your best option. Cards such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push are efficient ways to handle the Vedalken Heretic before it can accumulate card advantage for your opponent. Additionally, employing instant-speed interactions allows you to thwart the card-draw trigger on the stack, ensuring the Heretic’s ability is neutralized before it becomes a problem.

In terms of preventing the Vedalken Heretic from dealing damage, consider using creatures with high toughness to block effectively or spells that decrease its power. Ensnaring creatures with enchantments like Pacifism restricts the Heretic’s capabilities, rendering it harmless. Alternatively, applying pressure with early aggressive creatures can force your opponent to use the Heretic defensively. This tactic stifles their card draw strategy and steers the match in your favor. By understanding the strengths of the Vedalken Heretic, you can tailor your gameplay to diminish its impact, keeping the card advantage on your side of the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vedalken Heretic MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn, 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 Vedalken Heretic and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vedalken Heretic has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-05-01 Vedalken Heretic’s ability triggers when it deals any damage to an opponent, not just combat damage.