Dauthi Warlord MTG Card
1998-06-15 - Number 59
2015-05-06 - Number 98
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dauthi Soldier |
| Abilities | Shadow |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.) Dauthi Warlord has power equal to the number of creatures with shadow in play.
Cards like Dauthi Warlord
The Dauthi Warlord is a unique shadow creature that anchors itself firmly within the echelons of Magic: The Gathering’s aggressive black strategies. Its ability to thrive in decks loaded with shadow creatures makes it comparable to creatures like Dauthi Slayer, which boasts the innate characteristic of being unblockable with shadow. While Dauthi Slayer has consistent damage output, Dauthi Warlord’s strength waxes and wanes with the number of shadow creatures on the battlefield.
Then there’s the Dauthi Marauder – another shadow-imbued creature capable of evading most blockers. Although it doesn’t dynamically increase its power like Dauthi Warlord, its solid three-point damage offers a more reliable crash into the red zone. In a similar line of thought, Soltari Priest provides non-black carrying decks with shadow prowess and also dodges damage from red spells, making it a durable alternative for creature-based strategies.
By examining the traits and tactical applications of these shadow creatures, Dauthi Warlord stands out as a powerful inclusion in Magic: The Gathering shadow-themed decks, particularly for its scaling aggression that can become a game-ending threat if left unchecked.
Cards similar to Dauthi Warlord by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Dauthi Warlord itself may not draw you cards directly, its aggressive cost and escalating threat level can force opponents to deal with it, often at a two-for-one rate as they may need to combine cards to effectively block or remove it from the battlefield. This can lead to an indirect card advantage as your foes expend more resources managing this threat.
Resource Acceleration: Dauthi Warlord’s power lies in its synergy with other shadow creatures, which can lead to a form of resource acceleration. As your shadow creatures slip through unblocked due to their mechanic, you’re effectively accelerating your victory condition, capitalizing on what your opponent can’t block or interact with.
Instant Speed: Though Dauthi Warlord is not an instant itself, it nicely complements a strategy that includes instant speed interactions. With each shadow creature played at instant speed, such as via flash, the Warlord’s power can unexpectedly increase, catching an opponent off-guard during combat and potentially swinging the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Dauthi Warlord, you may not need to discard any cards directly for its usage, but its synergy with shadow creatures might pressure your hand, pushing players to potentially lose valuable cards just to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Dauthi Warlord’s casting requirements are exclusively black mana, which can be restrictive, hindering its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless decks that may not have sufficient black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana might not seem steep, for a creature that depends on other shadow creatures to enhance its power, it could be seen as a significant investment. Especially considering that within the same or lesser mana range, players could cast other creatures or spells with immediate board impact.
Reasons to Include Dauthi Warlord in Your Collection
Versatility: Dauthi Warlord’s shadow ability allows it to be unblockable by creatures without shadow, making it a strong addition to any aggressive strategy looking to bypass creature-based defenses.
Combo Potential: With its power influenced by the number of other shadow creatures you control, Dauthi Warlord thrives in synergy with decks that can proliferate shadow creatures, increasing its power exponentially.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where black aggro or evasion tactics are prominent, Dauthi Warlord can serve as an anchor in your offensive lineup, applying steady pressure on opponents and avoiding most traditional blockers.
How to beat
Dauthi Warlord is a unique card featuring shadow, an ability allowing it to only block or be blocked by creatures with shadow. The Dauthi Warlord’s power fluctuates with the number of shadow creatures in play, potentially becoming a significant threat on the battlefield. To effectively counteract this card, one strategy is to manage the number of shadow creatures present. Keeping them to a minimum will naturally limit the Warlord’s strength.
Another approach would involve removal spells. Direct removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can easily take care of the Warlord before its power becomes overwhelming. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, negating any advantage the Warlord might have accrued. It’s also advisable to include creatures that can interact with or block shadow creatures even if your deck doesn’t normally operate within this niche.
Ultimately, overcoming the Dauthi Warlord in your games of Magic: The Gathering requires a tactical approach, whether that’s minimizing shadow creatures, using spot removal, or planning for a board-wide reset. Understanding your deck’s resources and the best moments to deploy them will be key to prevailing against this shadowy adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dauthi Warlord MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Tempest Remastered, 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 Dauthi Warlord 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 Dauthi Warlord Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-15 | Exodus | EXO | 59 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 98 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dauthi Warlord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dauthi Warlord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Dauthi Warlord counts creatures with the Shadow ability controlled by all players. |