Advance Scout MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 1

Advance Scout - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)

Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
1999-11-12 - Number 2

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier Scout
Abilities	First strike
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Advance Scout’s first strike ability offers significant combat control and can lead to advantageous board states.
Its low cost and instant-speed activation make it a flexible addition to early game strategies.
Vulnerabilities arise from its specific mana needs and absence of direct card advantage mechanisms.

Text of card

First strike o W: Target creature gains first strike until end of turn.

"The soldier's path is worn smooth by the tread of many feet—all in one direction, none returning." —Oracle *en*-Vec

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Advance Scout in play, you’re equipped to make strategic trades or deter attacks due to its ability to give creatures first strike. This can potentially lead to card advantage as you dictate the terms of combat encounters.

Resource Acceleration: Although Advance Scout itself doesn’t directly provide mana or ramp, it’s a low-cost creature, which allows for a nimble deployment of other cards alongside it. As a 1/1 for two mana, including one white, it slips easily into early game strategies, preserving resources for more significant plays.

Instant Speed: Activate Advance Scout’s first strike ability at instant speed to surprise opponents during the combat phase. Its flexibility can shift combat outcomes or be used defensively, ensuring you stay ahead without compromising your ability to react swiftly to the developing game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One noticeable downside to including Advance Scout in your deck is the absence of a card advantage. The lack of any draw or tutoring effects means you’re solely relying on your draw step to find the answers or threats you need.

Specific Mana Cost: Advance Scout’s strict white mana requirement can be a hurdle in multicolored decks. Its single mana cost limits flexibility and may not seamlessly fit into the mana curve, especially in decks that are not monowhite.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 1/1 with first strike for two mana may align with older set standards, contemporary Magic the Gathering play introduces a plethora of more cost-effective creatures. Thus, Advance Scout’s cost-to-power ratio puts it at a disadvantage in an environment where efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Advance Scout in Your Collection

Versatility: Advance Scout offers flexibility in deck building thanks to its ability to grant creatures first strike. This helps tailor your approach, whether you’re emphasizing combat tactics or looking for ways to protect key creatures during battles.

Combo Potential: The first strike ability this card provides can be a critical piece in combat-related combos. It’s especially useful when paired with cards that benefit from creatures surviving combat or dealing damage without being harmed in return.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where combat interactions are crucial, Advance Scout can provide an edge by altering the flow of battles. This can make it a valuable asset against decks that rely heavily on winning combat exchanges to secure victory.

How to beat

Advance Scout is a white creature card from Magic: The Gathering known for its straightforward yet strategic ability to grant any attacking creature the First Strike advantage until the end of the turn. To outmaneuver an opponent wielding Advance Scout, it’s essential to understand this ability’s impact on the battlefield. Unlike spells that might draw cards or generate resources, Advance Scout directly affects combat by potentially tilting skirmishes in your adversary’s favor.

One strategy to overcome Advance Scout’s influence is by controlling the board with removal spells to take it out before it can become a reoccurring issue during combat phases. Spells like Doom Blade or Murder offer a direct and cost-effective removal option, excising the problem before it can affect the tide of battle. Another method is to play creatures with higher toughness that can withstand the First Strike damage or employ instant-speed tricks that can alter combat outcomes, like giving your own creatures indestructible or hexproof abilities to nullify the Scout’s influence.

Strategically, it’s also worth considering non-combat ways to suppress your opponent’s plans. Ensnaring Advance Scout with a Pacifism enchantment or tapping it down with a Claustrophobia can neutralize it without having to engage it directly. Considering these tactics will prepare you for what Advance Scout brings to the table and how to adapt your game plan accordingly.

Cards like Advance Scout

Advance Scout is a noteworthy member of the white creature roster in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship can be observed with creatures like Elite Inquisitor, both brandishing the first strike capability. However, Advance Scout offers the strategic flexibility of granting first strike to other creatures as well, rather than solely relying on its own combat prowess.

On parallel ground is the Silver Knight. Unlike the Scout, Silver Knight carries first strike intrinsically and is bolstered with protection from red, which shields it from red spells and effects. Although lacking the Advance Scout’s ability to affect the battlefield more broadly. There’s also the Veteran Armorer – a creature with a lower cost that serves as a multi-purpose buffer by boosting the defense of your other creatures, but without the nuanced first strike granting ability.

Hence, when evaluating the utility and impact of white creatures with supportive abilities, Advance Scout often emerges as a tactical asset in Magic: The Gathering. Its dynamic ability to alter combat interaction can turn the tides of a game, marking its place in strategies that value combat manipulation.

Cards similar to Advance Scout by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Advance Scout MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Advance Scout and other MTG cards: