Cavalier of Dawn MTG Card


The card excels in card advantage, altering the board state upon entry and exit. It indirectly accelerates resources, transforming destroyed permanents into assets. Requires thoughtful play, with a notable discard cost and specific mana needs.
Cavalier of Dawn - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Elemental Knight
Abilities Vigilance
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 4
Toughness 6
Number10
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDaarken

Text of card

Vigilance When Cavalier of Dawn enters the battlefield, destroy up to one target nonland permanent. Its controller creates a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token. When Cavalier of Dawn dies, return target artifact or enchantment card from your graveyard to your hand.


Cards like Cavalier of Dawn

Delving into Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creatures, Cavalier of Dawn emerges as a versatile figure in white decks. A parallel can be drawn with other versatile creatures such as Knight of Autumn. While Knight of Autumn doesn’t wield the same power or create a Golem token upon exit, it does offer a choice upon entry between gaining life, adding counters, or destroying an artifact or enchantment, giving players situational flexibility.

Another card worthy of comparison is Angel of Sanctions. It shares the ability to exile another target nonland permanent. Although it’s not as sturdy in terms of power and toughness, Angel of Sanctions can bring back the exiled card with its embalm ability, potentially offering more control throughout the game.

Comparing Cavalier of Dawn to cards like Vindicate is also insightful. While Vindicate is not a creature, it exhibits the sheer removal power Cavalier of Dawn has. However, it lacks the board presence that the creature card provides through its token creation and the ability to influence the battlefield beyond the removal effect. Balancing these traits, Cavalier of Dawn is a strong contender for utility in MTG decks that favor active board control and resource advantage.

Knight of Autumn - MTG Card versions
Angel of Sanctions - MTG Card versions
Vindicate - MTG Card versions
Knight of Autumn - MTG Card versions
Angel of Sanctions - MTG Card versions
Vindicate - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cavalier of Dawn. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAzorius ControlAxion Now Pioneer Regional Championship Qualifier
4c Enigmatic Fires4c Enigmatic Fires Pioneer4c Enigmatic FiresPioneer Challenge 64 2023-12-22
5c Enigmatic Fires5c Enigmatic Fires Pioneer5c Enigmatic FiresPioneer Challenge 64 2023-12-22
Five-color Fires IncarnationFive-color Fires Incarnation Pioneer5c Enigmatic FiresHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Enigmatic FiresEnigmatic Fires Pioneer5c Enigmatic FiresReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Cincinnati - Sunday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists Pioneer5c Enigmatic FiresPioneer Power

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cavalier of Dawn shines in this aspect by providing a compelling presence on the board. Upon entering the battlefield or dying, it offers you ways to interact with nonland permanents, either destroying an opponent’s or returning your own artifact or enchantment card from the graveyard to your hand. This versatility ensures that you are consistently working towards a favorable card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the Cavalier of Dawn can indirectly accelerate your resources. Destroying an opponent’s key permanent can set them back, or returning an important artifact or enchantment can give you the boost necessary to surge ahead in the game. Its ability to transform a nonland permanent into a 3/3 Golem creature upon destruction can also turn into a significant tactical advantage.

Instant Speed: Although the Cavalier of Dawn operates at sorcery speed, its ability to recover artifacts or enchantments from your graveyard can set you up to capitalize on instant-speed interactions on your subsequent turns. It prepares you to better respond to your opponent’s moves, either by returning instant-speed interaction cards or by establishing a board presence that your opponent must consider during their own plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Cavalier of Dawn provides a valuable benefit upon entering the battlefield, it also demands a significant commitment. Players are required to sacrifice another nonland permanent, which can be a tough cost to pay, especially when the board position is not optimal or if you’re short on valuable permanents.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Cavalier of Dawn requires a strict mana configuration, with not one but two white mana symbols in its casting cost. This can present a challenge in multicolored or mana-intensive decks, potentially restricting its inclusion to primarily white or dual-colored decks where mana bases are more accommodating to such demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five mana cost to summon Cavalier of Dawn is relatively high, and while its effects can be game-changing, this cost positions it in a crowded field of powerful five-mana spells. In some cases, decks may prefer spells or creatures with similar or lower mana investments that provide immediate impact without the additional sacrifice requirement.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cavalier of Dawn is a flexible addition to a variety of decks, appealing to those who seek a card that can handle multiple roles. Its ability to destroy nonland permanents upon entry and create Golem tokens when it dies makes it a multipurpose tool for both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature offers substantial combo potential in decks that manipulate graveyard resources or benefit from self-sacrificing creatures. Its ability to return a lower-cost permanent from the graveyard to the battlefield upon death can be repeatedly exploited with the right deck mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given the constant fluctuations of the MTG metagame, Cavalier of Dawn maintains a place in environments where artifact and enchantment control is paramount. Its presence can swing games by dismantling key pieces of opponents’ strategies and providing resilience against removal effects.


How to beat

Cavalier of Dawn is a powerful creature in Magic: The Gathering with a transformative enter-the-battlefield ability that can destroy nonland permanents and offers a late-game advantage when it dies. To overcome this formidable card, it’s essential to employ strategies that can counteract its abilities. Utilizing instant-speed removal before the Cavalier’s ability resolves allows you to thwart its destructive entry. Additionally, graveyard disruption is an excellent tactic, as it prevents the Cavalier from retrieving valuable cards after its demise. Cards like Scavenging Ooze can be particularly effective, as they simultaneously manage the graveyard and develop your board presence.

Bouncing the Cavalier back to your opponent’s hand with spells like Unsummon can also be a strategic play, resetting their investment and providing you with a tempo advantage. Moreover, exiling effects are invaluable against Cavalier of Dawn, sidestepping its death trigger altogether. Direct exile options within the game can ensure the Cavalier’s benefits are never realized on the battlefield, making Swords to Plowshares a prime example of a tool that quietly overcomes this versatile threat. Considering these strategies, players can craft game plans that mitigate the impact of Cavalier of Dawn effectively.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’ve found the insights on Cavalier of Dawn compelling, there’s much more to discover. With its powerful synergies and potential to shape the game, incorporating this card will bring both challenges and triumphs. Whether you’re tweaking your white deck or exploring new strategic angles, the Cavalier is a noteworthy catalyst for success. Enhance your collection and gameplay by understanding not just the Cavalier’s strengths, but also its interactions with the broader MTG universe. Continue uncovering synergies, countering powerful threats, and embracing the strategic depth that MTG offers. For more tips to sharpen your skills and refine your deck, join our MTG community. Let’s embark on the journey to mastery together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cavalier of Dawn MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Cavalier of Dawn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cavalier of Dawn has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cavalier of Dawn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-07-12 You may put Cavalier of Dawn’s enters-the-battlefield ability onto the stack without choosing any target. It will resolve with no effect. However, if you do choose a target and the target permanent is an illegal target by the time that ability tries to resolve, the ability won’t resolve. No player will create a Golem token. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller will create a Golem token.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.