Quick Answer

Benevolent Ancestor is a common Creature — Spirit from IMA (IMA) costing {2}{W}. Current price: $0.05 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Benevolent Ancestor MTG card

Benevolent Ancestor

Creature — Spirit

Card Text

Defender (This creature can't attack.) {T}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to any target this turn.

Although the door is flimsy and the lock pathetically small, Josuri's family never fears the night outside.

Card Stats

0/4 common CMC: 3.0 IMA IMA 🎨 Nick Percival
Defender

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.05
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.20
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.03
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.07
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (3 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Benevolent Ancestor? Basics

Benevolent Ancestor is a Creature — Spirit card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Defender (This creature can't attack.) {T}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to any target this turn."

How much mana does Benevolent Ancestor cost to cast? Basics

Benevolent Ancestor has a mana cost of {2}{W}, which equals 3.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires W mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Benevolent Ancestor's mana cost of {2}{W} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Benevolent Ancestor has a mana value of 3.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Benevolent Ancestor's current oracle text is: "Defender (This creature can't attack.) {T}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to any target this turn."

What is the current price of Benevolent Ancestor? Pricing

The current market price for Benevolent Ancestor is approximately $0.05 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.2 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.03 EUR.

Where can I buy Benevolent Ancestor? Pricing

You can purchase Benevolent Ancestor from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Benevolent Ancestor normal: $0.05 | foil: $0.2

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Benevolent Ancestor in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Modern? Legality

Benevolent Ancestor is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Benevolent Ancestor is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Benevolent Ancestor in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Legacy? Legality

Benevolent Ancestor is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Vintage? Legality

Benevolent Ancestor is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Benevolent Ancestor legal in Pauper? Legality

Benevolent Ancestor is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Benevolent Ancestor from? Details

This printing of Benevolent Ancestor is from IMA (IMA), with collector number 12.

Benevolent Ancestor may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Benevolent Ancestor's rarity? Details

Benevolent Ancestor is a common card in IMA.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Benevolent Ancestor? Details

Benevolent Ancestor was illustrated by Nick Percival.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Benevolent Ancestor's power and toughness? Details

Benevolent Ancestor is a 0/4 creature.

Power (0) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (4) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

💬 Card Discussion

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