The General MTG Card

The General - Born of the Gods Hero's Path

Rarity	Common
Type	Hero
Released	2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set name	Born of the Gods Hero's Path
Set code	THP2
Number	4a
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

The General grants card advantage, allowing you to outpace opponents with additional draws or actions.
Its resource acceleration is key to swift strategic deployments and executing game-winning plays early.
Flexibility at instant speed offers surprise maneuvers, disrupting opponents and adapting strategies.

Text of card

Exile The General: Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap them.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The General provides a consistent way to outpace opponents by offering extra draws or plays, solidifying your hand while depleting theirs. This card can be a game-changer when it comes to maintaining dominance on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: With its capacity to unlock additional mana sources, The General can quickly tip the scales of a match. It’s a powerful engine for propelling your strategic plays forward, allowing for a swifter deployment of your arsenal. Whether it’s summoning creatures or casting game-winning spells, this card is your ally.

Instant Speed: The ability to act during your opponent’s turn can throw their strategy off balance. The General’s instant speed utility provides flexibility and surprise, letting you adapt to the flow of the game and seize opportunities as they arise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For some players using The General card might pose a challenge if their strategy depends heavily on maximizing hand size. Discarding as part of the card’s cost can backfire, especially if the card in hand has a pivotal role in the later stages of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building flexibility can take a hit with the card’s demand for a particular combination of mana. Players may find themselves unable to cast it when needed if their mana base isn’t perfectly tailored to accommodate such costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where tempo can dictate the victor, devoting a substantial amount of mana to casting The General card may not provide the immediate impact required. Other cards with lower mana requirements might better suit aggressive or fast-paced strategies.

Reasons to Include The General Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: The General finds a place in a multitude of decks, seamlessly fitting into various strategies with its flexible abilities that can advance your game regardless of the archetype you play.

Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for inventive combos, partnering well with other cards to unleash powerful synergies and outmaneuver opponents through unexpected interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Keeping an eye on evolving tournament environments, The General proves its worth by adapting to the prevalent meta, countering popular tactics, and providing consistent value in competitive play.

How to Beat

Defeating The General in MTG can be as tactical as a game of chess. This card commands attention as it can change the rhythm of the game when it enters the battlefield. Engaging with The General requires a solid strategy, focusing on removals or counterspells that disrupt your opponent’s plans before they can leverage The General’s abilities. Efficient removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can address The General if it’s already on the board, ideally before your opponent can capitalize on its presence.

Counterspells also offer a preventative measure, nipping the threat in the bud. Having a Mana Leak or Negate ready when your opponent casts The General can save you from grappling with its effects later on. In multiplayer formats, sometimes the best strategy is political; convince your fellow players of the threat The General poses and collaborate to keep it off the table.

Contingency plans are key. If The General manages to establish control, ensure you have a backup plan, such as board wipes or sacrifice effects, to reset the playing field. Balancing anticipation and reaction is the cornerstone to outmaneuvering The General-led strategies and claiming victory.

Cards like The General

The General is an intriguing card that blends seamlessly into the wide array of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering’s vast library. With its command over other creatures, it’s reminiscent of renowned cards such as Captain Sisay, which also allows players to fetch legendary cards. Nonetheless, The General introduces an innovative twist, enabling the search and deployment of not just legendary creatures but any card that shares a creature type with it, expanding the possibilities for synergetic deck strategies.

When considering versatility, Adaptive Automaton emerges as a comparable card, being a creature that can enhance others of the chosen type, bolstering their power and toughness. Although Adaptive Automaton lacks The General’s tutoring ability, it compensates with its own brand of support, shoring up the ranks with a static boost. Odric, Master Tactician is another worthy comparison. Odric empowers players to control combat scenarios, a tactical advantage The General doesn’t directly offer, but instead, it is the strategic deck manipulation that The General brings to the table that sets it apart.

Ultimately, while each of these cards shines in their respective niches, The General offers a unique combination of tutor ability and tribal enhancement, providing it a distinct position in the echelon of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering.

Odric, Master Tactician - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The General by color, type and mana cost

Axe of the Warmonger - MTG Card versions

Spear of the General - MTG Card versions

Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The General MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods Hero's Path, 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 The General and other MTG cards:

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