Ardent Militia MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 4
1997-06-09 - Number 5
1999-04-21 - Number 3
1999-07-01 - Number 5
2001-04-11 - Number 2
2001-04-11 - Number 2★
2003-07-28 - Number 3★
2003-07-28 - Number 3
2005-08-22 - Number G26
2005-08-22 - Number G15
Text of card
Attacking doesn't cause Ardent Militia to tap.
Some fight for honor and some for gold, but the militia fights for hearth and home.
Cards like Ardent Militia
Ardent Militia is a card that reminds us of the versatility found among creatures in Magic the Gathering. This card aligns well with others that share the vigilance ability, enabling it to attack without tapping. A notable comparison is with Concordia Pegasus, another creature that, while weaker, offers the vigilance trait at a lower mana cost. However, the Militia’s higher toughness gives it a clear advantage in durability.
Looking at Standing Troops, it’s immediately apparent that the vigilance trait is again at play. Comparable to Ardent Militia, Standing Troops can remain on defense while still being an offensive threat. Yet, Standing Troops costs less mana, which may be a decisive factor in earlier stages of the game. On the flip side, the Ardent Militia’s power can more effectively challenge opponents’ creatures.
Assessing the role of cards such as Ardent Militia in MTG decks, it stands out due to its balanced offensive and defensive capabilities. Its presence on the board can be a key to maintaining pressure on your opponent while safeguarding your life total. Vigilance as an ability provides this dynamic, and Ardent Militia embodies that strategic utility.
Cards similar to Ardent Militia by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ardent Militia doesn’t directly generate card advantage but can deter opponents from attacking due to its vigilance ability, potentially saving your creatures and preventing the loss of board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While not specifically affecting mana resources, Ardent Militia’s low casting cost contributes to a quicker deployment, allowing you to establish your board earlier and use your mana effectively in the early to mid-game.
Instant Speed: Although Ardent Militia is cast at sorcery speed, its vigilance trait offers a clear strategic advantage, as it remains untapped and ready to defend immediately after attacking. This keeps your resources flexible and responsive during the ebb and flow of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With no discard effects involved, Ardent Militia doesn’t help cycle through your deck or enable graveyard strategies, potentially missing some synergies in certain deck archetypes.
Specific Mana Cost: Ardent Militia has a mana cost that includes white mana symbols, which might not be easily accommodated outside of mono-white or dual-colored decks. Players running a multicolored deck may find it challenging to consistently meet this cost.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring five mana to cast, this card comes at a cost that might be considered steep for its base stats and abilities. There are other creatures in the same mana range that could provide more impact on the board state when played.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ardent Militia is a card that can adapt to various deck themes due to its ability to bolster your defenses. As a creature with vigilance, it maintains an offensive stance while standing ready to block, which can be crucial in many gameplay scenarios.
Combo Potential: With the right synergies, such as those that amplify the effects of soldiers or other creature types, Ardent Militia’s presence on the battlefield can enhance numerous strategies. It could also work well in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures for benefits.
Meta-Relevance: Given its solid stature as a vigilant defender, Ardent Militia can be particularly effective in a meta that favors creature-heavy tactics or when anticipating matches against aggressive opponents. Its presence can create hurdles for the opposition, making it a strategic choice in the current gameplay environment.
How to beat
Ardent Militia is a classic fixture in the realm of creature cards in MTG. This stalwart card, with its Vigilance ability, enables it to both attack and defend without having to tap, making it a dependable force on the battlefield. Despite this fortitude, there are strategies to effectively circumnavigate this persistent defense.
Firstly, leveraging removal spells that can bypass Vigilance, such as Murder or Path to Exile, will eliminate Ardent Militia from the field, unhinging your opponent’s defensive line. Moreover, using control elements like Pacifism can render the Militia’s combat capabilities moot. Secondly, evasion tactics also prove fruitful—employ creatures with flying or unblockable traits to soar over or slip past the Militia, mitigating its presence. Finally, mass board-clearing spells like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, washing away the Ardent Militia along with other threats, thus, when anticipating its presence, your deck should be well-equipped with a mix of these solutions to ensure victory.
Understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities of cards like Ardent Militia empowers players to construct strategies that ensure their dominance on the deck, overall enhancing their gameplay experience in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ardent Militia MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Weatherlight, 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 Ardent Militia and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Ardent Militia Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 4 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
| 2 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 5 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Zina Saunders | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 3 | 1997 | Normal | White | Zina Saunders | |
| 4 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 5 | 1997 | Normal | White | Zina Saunders | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 2 | 1997 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 6 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 2★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 3★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 8 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 3 | 2003 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 9 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | G26 | 2003 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 10 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | G15 | 2003 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ardent Militia has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.