Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Signed Copies, Battlebond, and the Mentor Mythos

Auction trends for signed MTG copies continue to ride a wave of nostalgia, scarcity, and the allure of a personal connection to a creator or artist. When we zoom in on Battlebond, the set that brought players together for two-headed drafts in 2018, a distinctive pattern emerges: signed copies of Proud Mentor and its paired counterpart frequently attract attention from casuals and collectors alike, even though the card settles in the uncommon tier. The mentor motif—white mana, a 2-mana investment, and a 1/1 body—may seem modest on the surface, but the story behind the card lends it staying power in modern play and in the value matrix of signed prints 🧙‍♂️🔥.

Proud Mentor hails from Battlebond (BBd) and carries the classic white flavor of mentorship and discipline. With a mana cost of {2}{W}, it fits neatly into early- to mid-game board setups, especially in decks that lean on cooperation and partner dynamics. Its rarity is uncommon, a status that tends to temper reserve prices while still inviting collector interest—particularly when signatures come into play. The card’s two-part DNA is what draws bidders: it has a thematic partnership with Impetuous Protege, and it rewards thoughtful timing. The pair demonstrates a rare mechanical synergy in Magic, where a mentor figure can literally tutor a protegé into the mix when it enters the battlefield. The dynamics of this duo are a reminder that even a small creature can unlock big value when supported by the right combination of triggers and timing ⚔️🎲.

Proud Mentor: unwrapping the card details

• Name: Proud Mentor
• Set: Battlebond (BBd)
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Mana Cost: {2}{W}
• Type: Creature — Human Warrior
• Power/Toughness: 1/1
• Abilities: Partner with Impetuous Protege (When this creature enters, target player may put Impetuous Protege into their hand from their library, then shuffle.) and {W}, {T}: Tap target creature.
• Colors: White
• Flavor text: "Get ready, son."
• Artist: Jakub Kasper
• Print run notes: Print from Battlebond, a draft-inclined set designed for two-player teams. Foil and non-foil variants exist, with foil versions often carrying incremental premiums in the hands of collectors.

From a gameplay perspective, the card embodies a patient, control-oriented mindset. The ability to tutor Impetuous Protege into the hand creates a subtle synergy that can fuel a surprisingly cooperative board state in two-player or small-group formats. The tap ability—{W}, {T}: Tap target creature—gives Proud Mentor a defensive utility that scales as the battlefield fills with opposing threats. The flavor text neatly reinforces the mentor-student dynamic, anchoring the card in the broader MTG lore of mentorship, training, and cunning plans at the table 🧙‍♂️💎.

Auction trends: signed copies and collector value

When sealed with a signature, Proud Mentor’s collector appeal can rise meaningfully, even if the card’s baseline market price remains approachable for casual players. Signed copies tend to fetch premiums when the autograph is authenticated, the artist or guest signer has cult status among fans, or when the signing event has a memorable narrative. In Proud Mentor’s case, the combination of a well-regarded artist (Jakub Kasper) and the Battlebond setting—remember, Battlebond is famous for its two-headed giant vibe—gives signed versions a distinct story to tell at auction. That story often translates into a tangible bump over a non-signed copy, especially for players who are building mentor-themed Commander or casual two-player decks where the nostalgia factor shines. However, as with many uncommon cards, the premium is typically modest compared to rarer staples—yet it can be meaningful for serious collectors who chase complete sets, signed runs, or artist proofs.

Market data from card databases tends to reflect broader supply and demand rather than dramatic leaps for uncommon cards, but signed copies can carve out a niche market all their own. For Proud Mentor, expect a value bump primarily from autograph interest combined with the card’s durable playability in older formats like Legacy (where it remains legal) and its ongoing appeal in Commander circles. In the end, signed Proud Mentor copies symbolize a bridge between a memorable two-player set and the broader collector’s urge to own a piece of MTG’s artist-driven history 🧙‍♂️🔥💎.

Design, art, and the collector’s eye

The Proud Mentor artwork by Jakub Kasper captures a moment of steady resolve—a mentor ready to guide the next generation. This resonates with players who grew up collecting and trading, who remember the rush of a hard-fought win and the thrill of adding a signed card to their binder. The Battlebond era itself is a touchstone for many fans, blending competitive tactics with the warmth of cooperative play. The artistry, combined with a durable white mana identity and the iconic Partner mechanic, gives signed copies a narrative edge that pure numbers cannot match. And if you’re a collector who loves foils, remember that foil Proud Mentors carry their own prestige and can multiply the excitement when signing events align with limited runs or printings 🔥🎨.

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