Benalish Emissary MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 5 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Randy Gallegos |
Text of card
Kicker o1o G (You may pay an additional o1o G as you play this spell.) When Benalish Emissary comes into play, if you paid the kicker cost, destroy target land.
Cards like Benalish Emissary
The Benalish Emissary brings a nuanced dynamic to the world of land interaction within Magic: The Gathering. Echoing the utility of cards like Avalanche Riders, the Emissary provides both a creature presence and a land destruction ability. However, while Avalanche Riders offers immediate land destruction, the Emissary requires a kicker cost for triggering its land-obliterating ability, thereby presenting a strategic angle to timing your plays.
On par with cards like Viridian Emissary, another creature that interacts with lands, Benalish Emissary gives players a way to affect the battlefield’s resources. Unlike the Viridian Emissary, which aids its owner by fetching a land upon death, the Benalish Emissary aims to set back the opponent by potentially destroying their land assets, adding a layer of tactical aggression to your deck’s game plan.
Thus, when weighing options for impacting land resources directly through creature play, the Benalish Emissary stands out for those who favor a strategy of hindrance and control. It offers a flexible approach to resource management, adapting to different game states in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Benalish Emissary by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Benalish Emissary can trigger an ability to destroy target land, potentially disrupting your adversary’s strategy and providing you with an upper hand in controlling the game flow.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, the Emissary’s ability to remove a land from play can set your opponent back, effectively accelerating your own resources in relation to theirs.
Instant Speed: Benalish Emissary’s kicker ability can be used as an instant, which offers flexibility. This allows you to wait for the opportune moment to potentially destroy an opponents land during their end step or in response to a play, keeping them guessing about your strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Benalish Emissary, casting its kicker ability comes at the price of discarding another card. This condition can be particularly taxing on your hand, especially when you’re playing in a position where card advantage is critical to maintaining control of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the nuances of using Benalish Emissary is its need for specific mana colors to cast. This card requires both white and generic mana, which can potentially complicate your mana base and make it more challenging to play in a multi-colored deck that doesn’t heavily favor white.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three mana, Benalish Emissary may not always provide the best value for its cost. When considering the utility and impact of other cards you could play at a similar or lower mana value, it becomes evident that the Emissary might not be the most efficient choice in a tightly curated deck.
Reasons to Include Benalish Emissary in Your Collection
Versatility: Benalish Emissary is a utility card that can serve multiple roles in your deck. With the ability to impact the board both when it enters and leaves the battlefield, it’s a great inclusion in decks that value flexibility and adaptability.
Combo Potential: The destroy land ability of Benalish Emissary can be integral to land destruction strategies, disrupting your opponent’s mana base. It can be combined with cards that recur creatures from the graveyard to enhance its effect throughout the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where mana stability is key, being able to throw off your opponent’s land count can give you a significant advantage. Benalish Emissary could be a tactical choice to keep opponents on their toes, especially in formats where land-based strategies are prevalent.
How to beat
Dealing with Benalish Emissary can be subtle in the complex gameplay of Magic: The Gathering. This creature brings subtle battlefield control, particularly when dealing with nonbasic lands. To effectively counter this card, one should focus on maintaining a responsive hand with removal spells or abilities that can neutralize creatures at instant speed before its kicker ability is activated.
Consider cards that prevent the Emissary from being cast, such as those that counter creature spells. Another strategy involves using cards that can protect your lands, like those granting indestructibility or regenerating them, to mitigate the impact of the Emissary’s land destruction ability. Players should also weigh the benefits of keeping mana open to respond to the Emissary instead of overextending on the board, leaving crucial lands vulnerable to its effect.
Ultimately, an understanding of the opponent’s strategy and maintaining a balanced approach between development and defense can turn the tide against the disruption that Benalish Emissary brings to the table in MTG. Careful play and smart deck construction are key elements in overcoming this versatile threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Benalish Emissary MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Emissary 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Benalish Emissary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |