Heliod’s Pilgrim is a very interesting Human Cleric from Magic the Gathering’s 2015 Core Set. Later, the Pilgrim appeared as a reprint in Ultimate Masters and again returned to Standard for a bit in Theros Beyond Death. She costs 2W to cast for a 1/2, and when she enters the battlefield, search your library for an Aura card. Then, add it to your hand and shuffle your library. That’s a great tutor effect on a common card! Unsurprisingly, she found homes in some Standard decks and become a staple in Pauper Aura Hexproof decks, better known as Bogles.

The Pilgrim was a pretty strong competitive card right from its release. Two copies saw play in some Modern Bogles decks like this one. There was a Modern Chord Toolbox deck list that ran one Pilgrim, too In Standard, the Pilgrim worked her way into a variety of Boros decks and the occasional Jeskai Ascendancy list. But the deck that Heliod’s Pilgrim was most happy in was Azorius Heroic.

Here’s an Azorius Heroic deck list from Grand Prix Denver 2015:

LANDS (22)

• 4 Flooded Strand
• 2 Island
• 1 Mana Confluence
• 9 Plains
• 4 Temple of Enlightenment
• 2 Tranquil Cove

CREATURES (19)

• 4 Battlewise Hoplite
• 1 Eidolon of Countless Battles
• 4 Favored Hoplite
• 3 Heliod’s Pilgrim
• 4 Hero of Iroas
• 3 Seeker of the Way

NON-CREATURES (19)

• 1 Ajani’s Presence
• 4 Defiant Strike
• 1 Feat of Resistance
• 4 Gods Willing
• 2 Aqueous Form
• 1 Ordeal of Heliod
• 4 Ordeal of Thassa
• 2 Stratus Walk

SIDEBOARD

• 1 Ajani’s Presence
• 1 Dig Through Time
• 2 Erase
• 2 Glare of Heresy
• 2 Lagonna-Band Trailblazer
• 1 Mortal Obstinacy
• 1 Ordeal of Heliod
• 3 Stubborn Denial
• 1 Treasure Cruise
• 1 Triton Tactics

After Heliod’s Pilgrim’s rotation from Standard, she fit right into a variety of Commander and Pauper decks. Bruna, Light of Alabaster, Uril, the Miststalker, Brago, King Eternal, Sigarda, Host of Herons, and Sram, Senior Artificer have called on her the most. She even found play in Ascended Lawmage Pauper EDH (PDF) decks!

But, Pauper is her most competitive format. One deck she’s a staple in as a four-of is a deck often called “4-Color Value” which is an Enchantress version of Bogles that runs Aura Gnarlid rather than Slippery Bogle. It’s a cool deck! There’s also Mono-White Heroic, a deck that’s been on the rise in the format, that includes the Pilgrim, but often only as a one-of in the sideboard.

Of course, the most popular and powerful of the decks Heliod’s Pilgrim has seen play in is Aura Hexproof or “Bogles.” As time has moved forward, she’s become just a one-of or two of in the main deck, like in this list.

Creatures (13)

• 4 Gladecover Scout 
• 4 Slippery Bogle 
• 4 Silhana Ledgewalker 
• 1 Heliod’s Pilgrim 

Enchantments (29)

• 4 Abundant Growth
• 3 Cartouche of Solidarity 
• 4 Ethereal Armor
• 1 Lifelink 
• 4 Rancor 
• 4 Utopia Sprawl
• 4 Ancestral Mask 
• 4 Armadillo Cloak 
• 1 Cartouche of Strength 

Lands (18)

• 4 Blossoming Sands 
• 2 Crumbling Vestige
• 10 Forest 
• 2 Khalni Garden 

Sideboard (15)

• 2 Dispel 
• 1 Gorilla Shaman 
• 2 Gut Shot 
• 1 Lifelink 
• 2 Young Wolf 
• 1 Ancient Grudge
• 2 Flaring Pain
• 1 Ray of Revelation 
• 2 Standard Bearer 
• 1 Tangle 

It’s not too often that Magic players get this excited about a common. But, as a common and as support for a popular archetype like Bogles, she’s proven to be one of the better common tutors out there. If you’re looking to get into the Pauper format, or are looking for play-sets of useful cards to pick up, a playset of Heliod’s Pilgrim is well worth collecting. Even in 2022, she’s still seeing play!