Steadfast Paladin MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 38
2022-07-07 - Number 103
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dwarf Knight |
| Abilities | Lifelink |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Lifelink provides indirect card advantage by buffering life totals, extending strategic play opportunities.
- At two mana, Steadfast Paladin supports early game tempo while reserving mana for other plays.
- Its specific white mana cost may limit cross-archetype versatility but ensures mana base consistency.
Text of card
Lifelink
"When I made my oath to Moradin, I left selfishness and cowardice behind. Every battle, I make that commitment anew."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steadfast Paladin may not directly draw cards, but its consistent Lifelink ability means you’re indirectly gaining resources by maintaining a higher life total, effectively giving you more room to maneuver and make plays without being close to defeat.
Resource Acceleration: While the Steadfast Paladin itself doesn’t accelerate your mana, its low casting cost aids in developing your board early. Its Lifelink can support strategies that capitalize on life gain for resource acceleration, such as casting spells with an alternative cost that requires life or activating abilities.
Instant Speed: Although Steadfast Paladin is a creature and not an instant, its simplicity and efficiency make it an excellent card to play in the early game. This allows players to keep mana open for instant speed interactions later on, while still affecting the board presence effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Steadfast Paladin’s abilities don’t directly require a discard, but in a deck where every card counts, you may have to decide between keeping this card in hand or using other critical strategies that focus on discard synergies. This choice can lead to a disadvantage, especially in tight situations where each card’s utility is paramount.
Specific Mana Cost: The Paladin’s white mana cost means it fits primarily into mono-white or certain two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the broader range of MTG archetypes. Players constructing multi-colored decks may find this cost restrictive when considering their mana base and overall strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana for a 2/2 creature with lifelink is reasonable, in the fast-paced environment of MTG, there are other one or two-drop creatures or spells that could provide a greater impact on the game early on. This means Steadfast Paladin might not always be the most mana-efficient play, depending on the situation and the deck’s objectives.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Steadfast Paladin shines in a variety of deck archetypes due to its reliable life gain on attack, which can be crucial for sustaining life totals in aggressive and life-link focused decks alike.
Combo Potential: This card pairs seamlessly with equipment and aura spells that boost its combat prowess, elevating both its offensive and defensive capabilities, while further capitalizing on its life-link ability.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies dominate, Steadfast Paladin serves as a robust blocker and a consistent source of life gain, allowing you to stabilize against fast-paced opponents and maintain a presence on the board.
How to beat
Steadfast Paladin holds its ground as a reliable creature card in many Magic: The Gathering decks. Its blend of lifelink and consistent two damage makes it a noteworthy card in the early game. When facing the Steadfast Paladin, it’s essential to mitigate its influence by employing effective removal strategies. Cards such as Shock or Dead Weight can handle the Paladin before its lifelink becomes a significant advantage for your opponent.
Controlling the board is another strategy. Utilize cards that limit the Paladin’s ability to attack or block, like Pacifism, which neuters its capabilities without having to remove it from the field. Board wipes can also be a game-changer, as clearing the field with Wrath of God or similar effects will bypass the Paladin’s lifelink, swinging the momentum back to your favor.
Critical assessment of Steadfast Paladin’s role in your opponent’s strategy will inform the best course of action. Whether it’s deploying early removal, controlling the creature, or resorting to board resets, mitigating the Paladin’s benefits can pave the way to your victory over this steadfast foe.
Cards like Steadfast Paladin
Steadfast Paladin is a reliable card that finds its niche within the host of two-mana creatures available in Magic: The Gathering. Its direct competitor in terms of functionality and cost is Walking Corpse, which also delivers two damage with a simple two mana investment. However, Steadfast Paladin has the added advantage of life gain, granting you 1 life each time it attacks, a subtle but notable edge over the zombie counterpart with no such ability.
Another peer in this category is Grizzlebrand’s Scorn, significantly dishing out two power but with the added baggage of a conditional lifelink activation, whereas Steadfast Paladin offers consistent, unconditional lifelink right off the bat. Knight of the White Orchid, with its two mana cost, is a strong comparison as well, yet it leans more towards mana ramp and board presence expansion rather than direct combat benefits and life gain offered by Steadfast Paladin.
In sum, while several two-drops vie for a spot in players’ decks, Steadfast Paladin holds its own with its blend of aggressive potential and sustenance through steady life gain, a combination that is beneficial for players aiming to maintain board presence while bolstering their health total.
Cards similar to Steadfast Paladin by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steadfast Paladin MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Steadfast Paladin and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Steadfast Paladin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 103 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Steadfast Paladin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
