Alesha's Vanguard MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 60
2019-11-07 - Number 561
2020-09-26 - Number FRF-60
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Orc Warrior |
| Abilities | Dash |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Dash (You may cast this spell for its dash cost. If you do, it gains haste, and it's returned from the battlefield to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.)
Boundaries drawn on maps or marked with stone have no meaning for the Mardu.
Cards like Alesha's Vanguard
Alesha’s Vanguard sees play among creatures that can rapidly populate the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This card holds a strong resemblance to Warrior creatures like Duskwalker, a card that similarly boasts the ability to dash onto the field. Duskwalker can be a more accessible creature due to a lower casting cost but lacks the imposing presence that Alesha’s Vanguard’s higher power provides.
Comparative analysis brings us to Borderland Marauder, another comparable creature card. With its power increasing when attacking, it can match Alesha’s Vanguard’s combat strength. However, the Marauder doesn’t come with the potentially game-altering dash mechanic, which gives Alesha’s Vanguard an edge in flexibility and surprise attack strategy. Mind Raker also enters into the competitive arena as a creature with an ingest mechanic that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by exiling their top card. But it doesn’t quite match the raw power and immediate impact Alesha’s Vanguard can have when it dashes onto the scene.
In a game where every card’s ability and timing can tip the scales, Alesha’s Vanguard stands out for its battle-ready dash feature, despite its higher mana cost. It carves a niche for itself in decks that can leverage surprise attacks and quick offensive strategies.
Cards similar to Alesha's Vanguard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Alesha’s Vanguard can help maintain card superiority through its dash ability. By paying its dash cost, players can bring it into play swiftly and return it to their hand at the beginning of the next end step, keeping their hand stocked and ready for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: While Alesha’s Vanguard doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its dash mechanic enables a more flexible use of mana. Dash allows you to bypass the need for the Vanguard to survive a round on the board before attacking, thus accelerating your aggressive strategies and making the most effective use of your mana each turn.
Instant Speed: The dash ability can be activated at instant speed, giving players a significant tactical advantage. This allows for surprise attacks during the combat phase or the ability to quickly deploy a blocker if necessary, all while allocating mana effectively throughout the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A downside of this particular card is the need to discard another card from your hand as part of its mechanic. This can potentially set you back, especially in tight game situations where every card in hand is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a defined combination of mana to play, which includes both generic and colored mana. This specificity might restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the required colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is considered on the higher end for its abilities, players might hesitate to add this card to their decks. There are alternatives that could provide similar benefits or better synergy with existing deck strategies for less mana, making them more cost-effective options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Alesha’s Vanguard, with its dash ability, offers flexibility in gameplay. It can be a part of various deck styles, providing both surprise attacks and a solid 3/3 body that can be crucial for aggressive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well in decks capitalizing on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield, pairing nicely with cards that trigger on such events or benefit from the Warrior tribal theme.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where quick, recurring threats are key, Alesha’s Vanguard stands out. Its ability to dodge sorcery-speed removal ensures it stays relevant, especially against control decks that rely on such clear-cut strategies.
How to Beat Alesha’s Vanguard
Understanding your opponents’ cards is crucial in any MTG match, and knowing how to strategically counter Alesha’s Vanguard can turn the tide in your favor. This 3/3 creature from the Fate Reforged set offers unique tactics with its Dash ability, allowing your opponent to pay a little extra to give it haste and return it to their hand at the beginning of the next end step. This makes Alesha’s Vanguard both flexible and persistent.
To effectively counter this card, consider using instant-speed removal spells when the Vanguard is declared as an attacker or blocker, since it can only be dashed during the controller’s turn. Spot removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push are cost-efficient ways to deal with it permanently. Alternatively, you could use board sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation if you’re dealing with multiple creatures at once. Ensnaring cards like Pacifism also prevent Alesha’s Vanguard from attacking, effectively neutralizing the threat it poses irrespective of its Dash ability.
Adjusting your sideboard to include answers for creatures with Dash could significantly improve your deck’s resilience. By being proactive and prepared for this type of strategy, you can maintain control over the game and prevent your opponent from gaining any tempo advantage that Alesha’s Vanguard might otherwise offer.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alesha's Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Mystery Booster, 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 Alesha's Vanguard and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Alesha's Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Torstein Nordstrand.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 561 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | FRF-60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Torstein Nordstrand |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Alesha's Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Alesha's Vanguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If a creature enters the battlefield as a copy of or becomes a copy of a creature whose dash cost was paid, the copy won’t have haste and won’t be returned to its owner’s hand. |
| 2014-11-24 | If you choose to pay the dash cost rather than the mana cost, you’re still casting the spell. It goes on the stack and can be responded to and countered. You can cast a creature spell for its dash cost only when you otherwise could cast that creature spell. Most of the time, this means during your main phase when the stack is empty. |
| 2014-11-24 | If you pay the dash cost to cast a creature spell, that card will be returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s still on the battlefield when its triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is. |
| 2014-11-24 | You don’t have to attack with the creature with dash unless another ability says you do. |