Benalish Cavalry MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 4
2021-03-19 - Number 7
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Abilities | Flanking |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking blocks this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.)
"My people swore to protect Benalia to the end. It is battered, but yet stands, as do we."
Cards like Benalish Cavalry
Benalish Cavalry stands its ground in the realm of creature cards in MTG due to its interesting synergy with “Flanking.” This keyword is reminiscent of other abilities that evade or neutralize blockers, such as “Skulk” found on cards like Behind the Scenes, enhancing evasion strategies. Yet, flanking from Benalish Cavalry provides a unique advantage by weakening opposing blockers, different from skulk’s limitation on block potential based on power.
Other cards worth comparing include the Sidewinder Naga, which also boasts a conditional advantage – having more power under certain circumstances. However, unlike the steady bonus offered by flanking, the Naga’s asset is contingent on having a Desert card either in play or in the graveyard, which may not always be active. Knight of Cliffhaven is another creature that shares similarities in being a low-cost, utility-driven card in the two-mana slot, with leveling capabilities yet lacking the immediate board-altering presence of flanking.
When evaluating Benalish Cavalry among its peers, its ability to consistently impact combat as soon as it hits the battlefield makes it a distinctive option in MTG for players favoring tactics that can diminish an opponent’s blocking effectiveness.
Cards similar to Benalish Cavalry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Board Presence: Benalish Cavalry brings a solid presence to the battlefield with its decent stats. Playing this card fuels your strategy of establishing and maintaining a board presence, which is especially critical in decks looking to capitalize on creature synergy.
Synergy with Knight Tribal: As a part of the knight tribe, the Benalish Cavalry slots seamlessly into knight-focused decks, potentially unlocking synergies and boosting other knight cards’ effectiveness. Its common creature type makes it a key piece in this tribal puzzle.
Combat Tricks Potential: Although not directly providing card advantage, the Benalish Cavalry’s creature type allows you to potentially benefit from various combat tricks and equipment within the game that favor knights. Be it buffs or protection spells at instant speed, this card can become a surprise threat to opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Benalish Cavalry itself may not require a discard, but if your deck is built around synergy with it or utilizing similar soldiers, the discard cost from other cards can be problematic. This can deplete your hand and reduce your capacity to maintain pressure on the opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires white mana, Benalish Cavalry can be a restrictive addition to a multi-color deck. Decks that are not predominantly white may struggle to consistently meet this requirement, limiting its viability to more mono-white centered builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its stats being reasonable, in an environment where creatures are expected to provide significant value or have impactful abilities, the mana investment in the Benalish Cavalry may not provide the same level of utility as other cards at a similar cost, making it a less favorable choice during deck construction.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Benalish Cavalry’s straightforward design means it can slot into various deck types without complicating your game plan. As a 2/2 creature for just two mana, it helps establish an early board presence and can contribute to both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its first strike ability, Benalish Cavalry pairs well with equipment spells and abilities that enhance combat prowess. As part of a soldier tribal deck, its inclusion can lead to powerful synergies and potentially overwhelming your opponent with a robust battalion.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that appreciates efficient creature cards, Benalish Cavalry stands out as a cost-effective choice. It matches up favorably against many early-game creatures and can help maintain control of the board while you develop your mana base and prepare for your late-game strategies.
How to Beat Benalish Cavalry
Benalish Cavalry is a staple in decks that take advantage of its flanking ability, a trait allowing it to overpower blocking creatures. This particular creature thrives in combat, especially against decks that rely on smaller blockers to neutralize threats. To counteract the Benalish Cavalry, one effective strategy is to use removal spells that can bypass its flanking benefit. Direct damage spells or targeted removal like Path to Exile and Doom Blade can cleanly deal with it outside of combat scenarios.
Another efficient method is to utilize creatures with higher toughness that can withstand the minus one penalty imposed by flanking or those with abilities that negate combat advantages like first strike or deathtouch. Deploying chump blockers won’t always suffice due to the creature’s flanking, making it essential to confront it with stronger and more resilient defenders on the battlefield. In control decks, countering the spell that summons the Benalish Cavalry to the battlefield can prevent it from becoming a threat in the first place, preserving your creature’s integrity and your board’s stability.
Finally, employing mass removal spells, like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, can level the playing field regardless of individual combat tricks, ensuring that the Benalish Cavalry and other creatures on the board are swept away in one fell swoop.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Benalish Cavalry MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Benalish Cavalry 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 Benalish Cavalry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 4 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Benalish Cavalry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |