Ballynock Cohort MTG Card
2008-05-02 - Number 3
2016-06-10 - Number 3
2019-11-07 - Number 32
2020-09-26 - Number EMA-3
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Kithkin Soldier |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
First strike Ballynock Cohort gets +1/+1 as long as you control another white creature.
A kithkin's worst enemy is solitude.
Cards like Ballynock Cohort
Ballynock Cohort is a notable creature in the enchanting world of Magic: The Gathering, and it bears resemblance to other cards that synergize with creatures of a like kind. One card that stands side by side with the cohort is Benalish Hero, which also benefits from banding together with others of its type, optimizing defensive strategies by distributing damage across the formation.
Moving to the offensive side, cards such as Kinsbaile Skirmisher echo a similar theme by empowering fellow kithkin or soldiers on the battlefield through its “enter the battlefield” effects. On the opposite spectrum, we encounter Champion of the Parish, which grows stronger with each human ally called to the fray, a testament to the power of unity among creature types. Yet, unlike Ballynock Cohort, it doesn’t require a certain number of allies on the field to be at its best.
In essence, assessing Ballynock Cohort against its kin in Magic: The Gathering reveals a well-rounded card that thrives in a populated board, offering a balance of power that is enhanced by the solidarity of its brethren, making it a reliable card in tribal-based decks.
Cards similar to Ballynock Cohort by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ballynock Cohort is especially powerful when you have more creatures on the battlefield, potentially providing a significant presence that can pressure your opponent into unfavorable positions.
Resource Acceleration: While Ballynock Cohort itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, its ability to potentially strengthen each of your white creatures may allow for a more efficient use of your mana and resources by making each creature you play more impactful.
Instant Speed: Although Ballynock Cohort acts at sorcery speed, understanding the intricacies of creature combat and relative timings is crucial. Knowing when to deploy your Cohort to maximize its effectiveness alongside flash creatures and instant-speed spells can be pivotal during gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other prolific cards that offer fringe benefits without requiring a discard, Ballynock Cohort needs you to have another white creature to optimize its power level. This condition may inadvertently pressure your hand and impact your in-game resources negatively.
Specific Mana Cost: The presence of a double white in Ballynock Cohort’s mana cost can pose a deckbuilding limitation. Players looking to integrate this card into their strategies must pay close attention to their mana base to ensure its reliability — a factor that may hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks with higher complexity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost set at three, including two white mana symbols, Ballynock Cohort can be considered costly for its base stats and conditional ability. In a game where tempo and resource efficiency are paramount, cards needing lower mana for similar or greater effects are typically favored for their strategic leverage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ballynock Cohort fits seamlessly into decks that favor a white weenie or human tribal strategy. Its ability to gain a power boost when paired with another white creature makes it a flexible addition to various white-creature-centric builds.
Combo Potential: In decks that can consistently control the number of white creatures on the battlefield, Ballynock Cohort’s strength can be amplified. This becomes even more potent in combination with cards that benefit from creatures with great power like Signal Pest or Honor of the Pure.
Meta-Relevance: Given its cost-effective nature in creature-heavy white decks, Ballynock Cohort can hold its own in a meta that favors aggressive tactics. Its ability to scale in power as your board presence grows makes it a persistently relevant threat throughout the game.
How to beat
Ballynock Cohort is a force to be reckoned with when it takes its place on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This card shines in a white weenie deck strategy, amplifying its power and toughness when you control another white creature. The key to overcoming this card relies on disrupting the unity of your opponent’s creatures.
Removal spells are your best friend here. By targeting other white creatures your opponent controls, you diminish the Cohort’s strength. Sweepers can also be particularly effective, as they clear out multiple creatures at once, ensuring that the Ballynock Cohort is left vulnerable or eliminated in the process. Spot removal can be a precise method to tilt the balance in your favor, picking off other creatures iron solidarity with the Cohort.
Also, consider the use of cards that prevent creature abilities from triggering or those that negate the benefits provided by other white creatures on the field. By carefully planning your plays and keeping the pressure on your opponent’s creature assets, you can mitigate the impact of Ballynock Cohort and maintain the upper hand throughout the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ballynock Cohort MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Eternal Masters, 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 Ballynock Cohort 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ballynock Cohort Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | EMA-3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ballynock Cohort has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |