Stromgald Crusader MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Zombie Knight
Abilities	Protection
Released	2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set name	Coldsnap
Set code	CSP
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	71
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Volkan Baǵa

Key Takeaways

Owning Stromgald Crusader offers flexibility and evasion, advantageous in dynamic gameplay situations.
Stromgald Crusader’s protection from white makes it a strong contender in specific meta scenarios.
Despite advantages, Stromgald Crusader may lead to resource deficit due to discard mechanics.

Text of card

Protection from white : Stromgald Crusader gains flying until end of turn. : Stromgald Crusader gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

"The White-Shielders think their code justifies their actions. In truth it only binds their hands."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stromgald Crusader provides you with added resilience against removal spells, potentially saving other more valuable creatures on your board. This can lead to gaining an upper hand as you dwindle your opponent’s resources while maintaining your presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana acceleration, the flexibility of Stromgald Crusader can allow you to use your mana more efficiently. With options for evasion through flying or resisting particular colors, you are able to adapt quickly to the state of the game without investing additional resources.

Instant Speed: Its protection ability can be activated at instant speed, offering a strategic defense against spot removals and targeted spells during your opponent’s turn. This on-demand adaptability forces opponents to play around your open mana, giving you a noteworthy tactical edge in the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stromgald Crusader’s abilities often require you to discard another card to activate them. This can put you at a resource deficit, especially in tight situations where every card in hand is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Accessibility can be a problem with Stromgald Crusader. It requires both black and red mana, which can be restrictive as it necessitates a specific two-color deck, narrowing down deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two, including one black and one red, Stromgald Crusader might be considered costly for its base stats and effect. Players might find that there are other creatures or cards that provide more value or better synergy within the same or a lower cost bracket.

Reasons to Include Stromgald Crusader in Your Collection

Versatility: Stromgald Crusader offers a dynamic range of abilities, allowing for flexible defensive and offensive strategies. Due to its protection from white and flying, it can be a persistent threat on the board that dodges many common removal spells.

Combo Potential: When paired with various pump spells or equipment, the power of Stromgald Crusader can escalate quickly, surprising opponents with sudden bursts of damage. Its activated abilities also make it a key piece in decks focused on managing enemy creature combat abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where white creatures and control decks are prevalent, Stromgald Crusader can serve as an efficient tool to counter those strategies. Its ability to fly over board stalls and protection from one of the game’s most commonly played colors gives it a distinctive edge in certain matchups.

How to beat Stromgald Crusader

Stromgald Crusader is a resilient fixture in some MTG decks, known for its evasive abilities and synergy within black-centric or knight tribal decks. With protection from white, this stealthy creature can slip past many common defensive strategies. However, defeating this card isn’t insurmountable. Players must think outside the box, employing creatures without white attributes or incorporating colorless spells that can bypass Stromgald Crusader’s shield.

To effectively neutralize this knight, consider using spot removal spells that don’t specify a color, like “Go for the Throat” or universal board wipes such as “Damnation.” Flexibility is key. Decks that adapt to any threat on the board can tackle Stromgald Crusader. Additionally, preventing it from hitting the board in the first place through the use of counterspells or hand disruption tactics can stave off its impact on the game, allowing for better control of the match’s tempo and flow.

Winning against a card with specific protections demands a tailored approach, where broad-spectrum solutions or foresightful prevention becomes the strategy that tips the scales in your favor against the challenging Stromgald Crusader within the diverse universe of MTG.

Cards like Stromgald Crusader

Stromgald Crusader is a unique creature in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. Its kindred spirits in terms of evasiveness and protection lie in cards like Knight of Infamy. Both creatures boast the pro-white ability, allowing them to slip past white creatures and spells. However, Stromgald Crusader possesses the notable advantage of flying, giving it an extra layer of evasion over the grounding of Knight of Infamy.

Then there’s Black Knight, a classic card that shares the same resilience with its protection from white. Black Knight comes at a lower cost but lacks the crucial flying ability and the mana flexibility that allows Stromgald Crusader to adapt to different game situations. Blood Knight, entering the fray with protection from white as well, takes stage with a slightly different act. It offers a more aggressive stance at a lower mana cost, though it neither reaches the skies nor commands the battlefield.

In essence, the comparison showcases Stromgald Crusader’s versatile dominance in matchups against white decks. While each of these similar cards has its niche, Stromgald Crusader reigns supreme among them in terms of mobility and tactical adaptability in Magic: The Gathering’s dynamic play.

Black Knight - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Stromgald Crusader by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Nether Shadow - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)

Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)

Cyclopean Mummy - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)

Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)

Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stromgald Crusader MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Stromgald Crusader and other MTG cards: