Benalish Infantry MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 8
2020-09-26 - Number WTH-8
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Banding |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Banding
"My favorite part of getting into the infantry was getting out again." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Benalish Infantry
Delving into the realm of MTG, Benalish Infantry has its own niche within the spectrum of creature cards. When examining cards paralleling Benalish Infantry, one can’t overlook the likes of Elite Vanguard. Both are low-cost creatures, designed to be played early in the game. Elite Vanguard is a one-mana 2/1 soldier, a straightforward card with no abilities but with the same attack power as Benalish Infantry, highlighting how simplicity sometimes parallels more complex cards.
Comparatively, Silvercoat Lion also mirrors Benalish Infantry in some respects. It’s a two-mana 2/2 creature, making it an equivalent match in terms of overall stats. However, Benalish Infantry’s flanking ability gives it an edge in combat against other creatures without flanking, potentially tipping combat outcomes in favor of the player who utilizes it strategically.
While each card serves a different role depending on the deck and play style, Benalish Infantry stands out by offering an interesting combat dynamic through its flanking ability, which can be pivotal in early-game creature skirmishes. Consequently, it maintains a unique position among its counterparts based on its utility in battle scenarios within the game.
Cards similar to Benalish Infantry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Benalish Infantry can be a key contributor to card advantage. Though it may not directly draw you additional cards, its potential to protect more valuable creatures on your board supports maintaining presence and advantage on the battlefield. In combinations with abilities that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or dying, Benalish Infantry can be part of a chain that ends up netting you more cards in hand or more creatures in play.
Resource Acceleration: While Benalish Infantry itself doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense of producing mana, its lower casting cost ensures that your mana curve remains balanced. By playing a low-cost creature, you’re able to save your mana for casting more costly and impactful spells sooner, which is essential for gaining tempo against your opponents.
Instant Speed: The strength of Benalish Infantry isn’t rooted in its ability to act at instant speed; however, it holds its ground by fitting into strategies that utilize flash mechanics or effects that allow you to play creatures as though they had flash. This gives you the flexibility to deploy Benalish Infantry tactically, making it a versatile addition to decks that operate on instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Benalish Infantry might not ask for an actual discard from your hand, it does require a specific action to be useful. If you’re unable to fulfill the condition or tap requirement, you miss out on leveraging its full potential, similar to the limitations a discard requirement might impose.
Specific Mana Cost: Benalish Infantry demands white mana, which could be a stumbling block for multicolored decks that aren’t heavy on white. This mana specificity can limit the card’s versatility and make it a less flexible choice in certain deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a mana cost that might be deemed high for its stats and abilities, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. It’s essential to weigh if its capabilities justify its slot in your deck over other low to midrange alternatives that could perform more efficiently within the game’s tempo.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Benalish Infantry’s ability to tap to block additional creatures makes it a flexible defender in multiple combat scenarios. It seamlessly integrates into decks that prioritize a strong defensive strategy.
Combo Potential: With its banding ability, Benalish Infantry can be a key component in synergistic plays, combining well with other creatures to maximize battlefield control and combat outcomes.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where combat is decisive, and creature-based strategies prevail, the Infantry’s defensive capabilities become particularly effective, making it a smart addition to collections geared towards current play styles.
How to beat
The Benalish Infantry card poses an interesting challenge with its Banding ability, a mechanic that allows players to group multiple creatures to block an opponent’s attacker. Banding can lead to strategic defense maneuvers that protect key creatures or dictate the damage dealt during combat. To effectively counter this card, focusing on removal spells that can target multiple creatures is key. Spells like Wrath of God can clear the battlefield of multiple banded creatures, negating the banding advantage in one fell swoop.
Moreover, using point removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade will also work if you aim to disrupt your opponent’s banding group by targeting a single crucial creature within the formation. Another strategy is to use flying creatures or those with trample to circumvent the banding defense since the Benalish Infantry lacks reach or the ability to block flying creatures. Lastly, combat tricks that can either buff your creatures or debuff your opponents’ can tilt the engagement in your favor, no matter the banding configurations they present.
Understanding and dismantling the banding strategy by using board wipes, targeted removal, or evasion tactics can assure your upper hand against Benalish Infantry and other creatures with similar abilities.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Benalish Infantry MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and The List, 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 Infantry 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
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Printings
The Benalish Infantry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 1997-06-09. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 8 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | WTH-8 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Benalish Infantry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Benalish Infantry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | A maximum of one nonbanding creature can join an attacking band no matter how many creatures with banding are in it. |
| 2008-10-01 | Creatures in the same band must all attack the same player or planeswalker. |
| 2008-10-01 | If a creature with banding attacks, it can team up with any number of other attacking creatures with banding (and up to one nonbanding creature) and attack as a unit called a “band.” The band can be blocked by any creature that could block a single creature in the band. Blocking any creature in a band blocks the entire band. If a creature with banding is blocked, the attacking player chooses how the blockers’ damage is assigned. |
| 2009-10-01 | If a creature in combat has banding, its controller assigns damage for creatures blocking or blocked by it. That player can ignore the damage assignment order when making this assignment. |