Celestial Crusader MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 7
2014-11-07 - Number 68
2019-11-07 - Number 49
2021-03-19 - Number 13
2020-09-26 - Number C14-68
Text of card
Flash (You may play this spell any time you could play an instant.) Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't play spells or activated abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Flying Other white creatures get +1/+1.
Cards like Celestial Crusader
Celestial Crusader stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique figure among white creatures. Its direct comparison could be to cards like Aven Sunstriker, which similarly boasts flying and, through morph, can gain double strike. While Aven Sunstriker requires additional mana to activate this ability, Celestial Crusader provides double strike to all white creatures by default, underscoring group synergy over individual prowess.
Another relative is the Honor Guard, a creature known for its simple boost to other white creatures’ power. Though lacking the flight ability, it enhances the offensive capabilities of your creatures. On the flip side, Celestial Crusader splits its offering between an offensive boost and a broader tactical advantage with its inclusion of flash, allowing for surprise plays and instant defensive strategies, unlike the more straightforward Honor Guard.
Evaluating the broad spectrum of white creature buffs in MTG, Celestial Crusader occupies a robust niche. It combines the element of surprise with a substantial combat enhancement for white creature-heavy decks, ensuring it remains a competitive option for players looking to tilt the scales in their favor mid-battle.
Cards similar to Celestial Crusader by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Celestial Crusader can be a boon to your strategy by boosting the number of white creatures under your command, essentially multiplying the value of each creature on your field.
Resource Acceleration: As the Celestial Crusader has flash, it allows you to manage your resources effectively, waiting until the end of your opponent’s turn to deploy your creature. This surprise element can shift the momentum in your favor without risking it being countered in your main phase.
Instant Speed: The instant-speed nature of flash on this card means you have the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions. You can adapt to the board state as it develops, making it an essential tool for asserting control when it’s most beneficial.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect where Celestial Crusader may cause hesitation among MTG players is the potential need to discard a powerful card in order to synergize with other effects or to meet an ability’s threshold. While this doesn’t apply to the Crusader directly, its interaction with certain deck types might require players to consider the cost of card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Celestial Crusader demands a precise mana alignment – two white mana in its casting cost. This requirement makes it less versatile for multicolor decks that might struggle with a consistent white mana base, thus limiting the card’s utility in a broad range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Celestial Crusader competes for a spot in the 4-drop slot of a deck. Players might weigh its abilities against other alternatives that could offer more immediate board presence or advantageous effects for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Celestial Crusader slips easily into various deck archetypes due to its ability to simultaneously buff your creatures and offer a flying blocker or attacker. Its split second ability ensures that your opponents will have no time to react as you elevate your gameplay.
Combo Potential: The card shines in combinations with strategies that take advantage of the +1/+1 across your white creatures. It’s a surprise element that can turn the tides in token-gen or weenie-based decks, making it a staple for crafty build constructors.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where white strategies are prevalent, Celestial Crusader has a definitive edge. It can enhance your board presence significantly, proving indispensable against decks that are ill-prepared for a sudden and uncounterable army boost.
How to beat
Celestial Crusader is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, notable for its ability to bolster white creatures’ strength with its static ability. This card can tip the scales in favor of white creature-based decks by providing a global power boost. However, its split second ability – while it prevents players from responding to the Crusader being cast – doesn’t shield it from preemptive actions or from removal spells triggered before or after it hits the battlefield.
To overcome a Celestial Crusader, instant speed removals are a player’s best bet. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently dispatch the Crusader before its impact on the field is felt. Additionally, sweepers like Damnation or Wrath of God can clear the board regardless of the Crusader’s buff to its allies. Artifact and enchantment removals are less effective against the Crusader itself but can dismantle other pieces of the deck’s strategy, reducing the overall synergy and threat.
In essence, while Celestial Crusader can be a powerful ally in the right deck, its power is not insurmountable. With strategic use of removals and board-wiping spells, players can mitigate the advantage this card presents and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Celestial Crusader MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral 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 Celestial Crusader 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 Celestial Crusader Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Jim Murray.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 7 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | C14-68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | ||
| 5 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Celestial Crusader has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Celestial Crusader card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | After a spell with split second resolves (or otherwise leaves the stack), players may again cast spells and activate abilities before the next object on the stack resolves. |
| 2021-03-19 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to a white creature may become lethal if Celestial Crusader leaves the battlefield during that turn. |
| 2021-03-19 | Casting a spell with split second won’t affect spells and abilities that are already on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the resolution of a triggered ability involves casting a spell, that spell can’t be cast if a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players may turn face-down creatures face up while a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players still get priority while a card with split second is on the stack; their options are just limited to mana abilities and certain special actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | Split second doesn’t stop triggered abilities from triggering, such as that of Chalice of the Void. If one does, its controller puts it on the stack and chooses targets for it, if any. Those abilities will resolve as normal. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.