Daru Lancer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | First strike,Morph |
| Released | 2002-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Onslaught |
| Set code | ONS |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brian Snõddy |
Text of card
First strike Morph o Wo W (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
Although the Order frowned upon his preparations for the pits, behind closed doors most saw the fights as a necessary evil.
Cards like Daru Lancer
Daru Lancer stands out in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering for its unique combination of attributes. This card is often compared to Loxodon Partisan, another soldier-themed creature. Both have a solid presence on the battlefield, but Daru Lancer offers First Strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without this ability. Loxodon Partisan, although lacking First Strike, bolsters the stats of other soldiers.
Shielded by Faith is also a relevant comparison, as it provides an indestructible status similar to the protection Daru Lancer could grant with the right enhancements or interactions. While Shielded by Faith is an enchantment that can keep a variety of creatures safe, Daru Lancer is more specialized in direct combat engagement.
In evaluating their roles on the battlefield, one may consider Knight of Meadowgrain, which shares the First Strike ability and adds Lifelink to your arsenal, providing more utility despite being potentially less robust. All these elements showcase Daru Lancer’s positioning among creature cards with defensive advantages and strike capabilities in Magic: The Gathering’s vast collection.
Cards similar to Daru Lancer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Daru Lancer, while not directly increasing the number of cards in hand, it synergizes well with other abilities that trigger upon soldiers entering the battlefield or when soldiers attack, effectively creating potential card advantage through tactical interactions and battlefield presence.
Resource Acceleration: Daru Lancer’s inclusion in MTG decks revolving around soldiers could potentially ramp up your resources. By having a stout soldier on the field, it enables strategies that leverage soldier count for mana generation or cost reduction in spells, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: While Daru Lancer itself may not be instant speed, its first strike ability allows it to excel in combat, acting as a deterrent for opponents. Moreover, decks that run Daru Lancer often include instant speed tricks to bolster its effectiveness, thereby reinforcing the importance of timing and surprise in the game’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Daru Lancer doesn’t directly necessitate discarding, it’s often the case that white weenie decks, which are the primary archetype for such a card, require card advantage to sustain their momentum. A unit such as Daru Lancer that doesn’t inherently provide card draw or a similar mechanic can potentially lead to hand depletion without offering compensatory benefits.
Specific Mana Cost: Daru Lancer has a mana cost that necessitates white mana specifically. This can be restrictive as it anchors the card to white-centered decks or those with a reliable mana base capable of producing multiple colors, potentially reducing its versatility across different deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of five mana with double white to summon, Daru Lancer’s cost is on the higher end for its creature category. Considering other creatures or spells available at a similar or lower cost threshold, the return on investment in terms of battlefield impact might not be as beneficial, making it a less optimal choice in a format where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Daru Lancer’s double strike ability allows it to excel in offensive and defensive roles, making it a solid addition to decks that capitalize on combat tricks or need reliable blockers.
Combo Potential: Due to its double strike attribute, it pairs well with equipment and auras that boost its power, potentially turning it into a devastating force capable of removing bigger threats or delivering significant damage to opponents.
Meta-Relevance: Against a backdrop of creature-heavy decks, Daru Lancer offers a way to outmatch creatures of similar cost, carving a niche for itself in certain metas where double strike can be a game-changer.
How to Beat Daru Lancer
Daru Lancer is a creature card that shines in MTG due to its double strike ability, meaning it can deal damage twice during the combat phase – once during the first strike and again during the regular combat damage step. Its presence on the battlefield is notable for players who are keen on an aggressive strategy and who value quick and impactful damage dealers.
To effectively counter Daru Lancer, it is crucial to bypass the first strike capability. Utilizing removal spells before the combat phase begins can eliminate the threat preemptively. Cards with instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be invaluable in dealing with this creature before it can cause serious harm. Another approach is including creatures with deathtouch in your deck. Since the deathtouch ability guarantees that any amount of damage is lethal, even the intimidating double strike becomes inconsequential. Engaging in combat with a deathtouch creature or waiting for the right moment to cast a removal spell can turn the tide of battle against Daru Lancer
Understanding your opponent’s strategies and deck composition, while ensuring your own deck includes answers to threats like Daru Lancer, is key to maintaining the upper hand in any duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Daru Lancer MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Daru Lancer and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Daru Lancer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |