Cathars' Crusade MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 10
2014-11-07 - Number 67
2016-11-11 - Number 61
2018-06-08 - Number 20
2020-07-17 - Number 95
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
Avacyn's holy warriors kept hope alive in her darkest hours. Now they will carry that hope across Innistrad.
Cards like Cathars' Crusade
Cathars’ Crusade is a unique powerhouse in MTG with an ability to turn the tide of the game by bolstering your creatures’ strength. This enchantment shares some conceptual space with other counter-adding cards like Hardened Scales, which accelerates the growth of your creatures one counter at a time. Yet, Cathars’ Crusade steps it up as it triggers for every creature that enters the battlefield under your control, potentially buffing an entire army simultaneously.
Another parallel can be drawn with cards like Juniper Order Ranger, which also accrues counters on itself and a single other creature when a creature enters the battlefield. However, the scope and impact of Juniper Order Ranger are much narrower compared to the widespread advantage provided by Cathars’ Crusade. Gavony Township is a land that offers a similar function, granting you the power to increment the might of your creatures, but it requires a mana investment each time.
Analyzing the utility and scalability, Cathars’ Crusade stands out for its ability to continuously and exponentially increase your board presence with nothing more than the regular deployment of your creatures. This comparative edge makes it an essential for players who enjoy strategies that witness their forces grow out of control with each new ally.
Cards similar to Cathars' Crusade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cathars’ Crusade presents a unique form of card advantage by strengthening every creature you control whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control. This effect stacks, so the more creatures you play, the larger your army grows, potentially overshadowing your opponent’s board without needing to draw extra cards.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in terms of mana, Cathars’ Crusade accelerates your board presence, which is a critical resource in creature-based strategies. Each creature you play becomes a more substantial threat, and this increase in power and toughness can be likened to investing in the strength of your creatures as a resource.
Instant Speed: Despite being an enchantment that doesn’t operate at instant speed, Cathars’ Crusade adds significant strategic depth to your instant-speed plays. Flash creatures or those put onto the battlefield during opponents’ turns immediately benefit from the Crusade, often catching adversaries off guard with boosted power and toughness, greatly impacting combat outcomes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Cathars’ Crusade does not directly necessitate discarding cards, it can result in hand depletion if you’re casting numerous creatures to optimize its ability, potentially leaving you with fewer options.
Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment requires a white-heavy mana base with its double white mana cost, potentially making it less flexible when building mana-curve efficient decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, including two white, Cathars’ Crusade is a substantial investment that might delay your gameplay, especially when needing to establish early board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cathars’ Crusade offers a flexible tool for any deck that thrives on creature play. It’s a valuable enhancer in token-based or +1/+1 counter strategies, easily slotting into a variety of white-centric or multicolored builds.
Combo Potential: It pairs brilliantly with cards that create creature tokens en masse, exponentially increasing the power of each creature as your board presence grows. Infinite combos are also within reach by integrating Cathars’ Crusade with cards that can repeatedly spawn creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame teeming with creature-heavy decks, Cathars’ Crusade stands out. It can tip the scales in games that otherwise would be decimated by sweepers or stabilize against aggressive strategies, making it a formidable choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Cathars’ Crusade is a powerful enchantment that can turn the tide of a Magic: The Gathering match by empowering creatures with additional +1/+1 counters each time another creature enters the battlefield under your control. This card has the potential to quickly snowball, leading to an overwhelming board state that can be challenging to overcome.
To effectively counteract Cathars’ Crusade, prioritizing removal spells that can target enchantments is key. Cards like Disenchant, Naturalize, or even the broader Return to Nature can be vital tools in dismantling your opponent’s strategy. Another proficient tactic is to limit the number of creatures entering play on their side. Sweepers such as Wrath of God or Doomskar can reset the battlefield, thereby negating the accrued advantage Cathars’ Crusade might have provided.
In essence, managing a game against Cathars’ Crusade involves being proactive and responsive. Ensuring you have the means to disrupt your opponent’s setup before it becomes insurmountable will place you a step ahead, preserving defeat and guiding you towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cathars' Crusade MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Commander 2014, 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 Cathars' Crusade 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 Cathars' Crusade Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 10 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 4 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 5 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cathars' Crusade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cathars' Crusade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | The creature that entered the battlefield and caused the ability to trigger will also get a +1/+1 counter, provided it’s still on the battlefield when the ability resolves. |