Acclaimed Contender MTG Card


Acclaimed Contender can significantly improve card advantage within Knight-centric decks. Its sorcery speed balances instant card selection benefits while demanding board presence. Despite its specificity, it’s an essential piece in white-based or Knight-focused strategies.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Acclaimed Contender enters the battlefield, if you control another Knight, look at the top five cards of your library. You may reveal a Knight, Aura, Equipment, or legendary artifact card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.


Cards like Acclaimed Contender

Acclaimed Contender stands proud within the realm of Knight-themed decks in MTG. This card shines when compared to counterparts like Knight of the White Orchid. While the latter offers land ramp for a deck lagging behind, Acclaimed Contender boasts card advantage by potentially drawing into more Knight creatures or equipment synergy, propelling your board presence forward without having to fall behind first.

Dauntless Bodyguard enters the conversation with its role as a one-drop Knight that doubles as a protector for your high-value creatures. Despite its utility, it lacks the ability to sift through your deck like Acclaimed Contender. As we veer into the Boros spectrum, we come across Inspiring Veteran, a card that shares the Knight synergy by boosting others. However, it falls short in providing the card selection and advantage of Acclaimed Contender, which is crucial in maintaining steam in a long match.

Bringing it all together, Acclaimed Contender is a strategic piece in Knight-focused decks, offering a unique blend of card discovery and tribal momentum. It showcases its value by ensuring that your hand and field are consistently being fed with synergistic options, setting it apart from other options in the MTG arena.

Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Dauntless Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Veteran - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Dauntless Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Veteran - MTG Card versions

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Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - 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

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros HumansBoros Humans PioneerBoros HumansThe Gathering Showdown Series

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Acclaimed Contender offers the potential for card advantage by letting you look at the top five cards of your deck when you control another Knight, potentially drawing you a Knight, Aura, Equipment, or legendary artifact directly into your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, it efficiently filters through your deck to grab key components, which indirectly speeds up your gameplay by increasing the likelihood of drawing into the resources you need when you need them.

Instant Speed: Although Acclaimed Contender operates at sorcery speed, its ability to instantly dig deep for a specific set of cards the moment it hits the battlefield complements a strategy that values immediate board presence and quick establishment of formidable synergies amongst your Knights and equipment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential drawback of Acclaimed Contender is finding a way to reliably trigger its ability. Although not requiring a discard directly, it necessitates having a Knight on the battlefield which can be restrictive and contribute to card disadvantage if your Knights are consistently removed.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes white mana, which means it’s tailored for Knight-centric or white-based decks. This specificity can limit deck-building versatility and can be a problem if you’re unable to produce the necessary white mana when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, some players might find Acclaimed Contender to be comparatively expensive given its 3/3 stats and conditional ability. In a format where efficiency is key, there might be alternative and more cost-effective options for deck-specific synergy or value generation.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Acclaimed Contender thrives in decks that capitalize on Knight synergies or those that require skillful deck stacking. Its ability to peek at the top of your library and potentially draw a useful artifact, aura, or legendary artifact ensures smooth gameplay and strategic planning.

Combo Potential: Pairing Acclaimed Contender with artifact-centric decks or legendary permanents can create game-changing combos, turning the tide of battle in your favor. Its capacity to fetch key components from your deck amplifies your ability to execute powerful strategies efficiently.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where white aggressive or midrange knight decks are prevalent, Acclaimed Contender’s role becomes even more crucial. Holding a place in those deck builds, it keeps your hand full and your board presence threatening, navigating through opponents’ strategies with relative ease.


How to beat

Acclaimed Contender thrives in decks filled with knights and equipment, providing card advantage and potentially accelerating a player’s strategy. To counter this card effectively in Magic: The Gathering, one must disrupt the synergy it creates. Removal spells that can target Acclaimed Contender before it triggers its ability are key. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can disrupt the flow before any advantage is gained.

Additionally, since Acclaimed Contender requires a certain board presence to be most effective, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field. This ensures that even if the card is played, the lack of knights or artifacts will negate its impact. Keep your removal ready and be mindful of the battlefield condition to minimize the value Acclaimed Contender can provide to your opponent.

Facing Acclaimed Contender requires tactical awareness and timely responses. Be prepared to challenge its synergy-centered play and you can maintain control of the match, keeping your opponent’s knights in check and preventing them from gaining the upper hand with this powerful card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the balance of power and precision in MTG can be as thrilling as it is complex. Acclaimed Contender exemplifies this, offering nuanced advantages in the right deck configuration. Knowledge is your best resource, and understanding the subtleties of each card, like Acclaimed Contender, will significantly influence your victories. Focusing on strategic deck building and staying informed about the evolving metagame are essential. We encourage you to continue your MTG journey with us, embracing the intricate dance of deck optimization and in-game decisions. Enhance your skills further by diving deeper into our resources designed for players committed to mastering every facet of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Acclaimed Contender MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Acclaimed Contender and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Acclaimed Contender Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by David Gaillet.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 3342015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
22019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 12015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
32023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1662015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Acclaimed Contender has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-10-04 Acclaimed Contender's ability can get you at most one card from the top five cards, no matter how many other Knights you control.
2019-10-04 Acclaimed Contender's ability won't trigger if you don't control another Knight immediately after it enters the battlefield. If you don't control another Knight as that ability resolves, the ability has no effect. This doesn't have the be the same Knight at both times, however.