Dwarven Lieutenant MTG Card

Enhances Dwarf creatures, significantly bolstering your battlefield and card value. Instant speed activation allows for tactical responses and surprise during play. Demands hand and mana management, making strategic play essential.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Dwarf Soldier
Released	1994-11-01
Set symbol
Set name	Fallen Empires
Set code	FEM
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	52
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff A. Menges

Text of card

: Target Dwarf creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

"Dwarven officers were tireless in battle, moving up and down the lines to rally their troops and boost morale." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

Cards like Dwarven Lieutenant

The Dwarven Lieutenant is a unique fixture in Magic the Gathering’s array of creature-enhancing cards. This card offers notable augmentation for fellow Dwarf creatures on the battlefield, reflecting a theme of tribal synergy. When looking at similar cards, the Lieutenant brings to mind cards like Goblin Chieftain, which similarly empowers its respective tribe, granting a boost in power and haste to all Goblin creatures you control.

Another card conversation includes the Elvish Archdruid, which enhances Elf creatures both in power and offering additional mana based on the number of Elves controlling the battlefield. Both the Dwarven Lieutenant and Elvish Archdruid are specialized towards bolstering their kind, although the Archdruid’s ability to ramp up mana provides an extra avenue to turn the tide of the game.

Considering the overall impact and tribal-centric abilities of creatures like the Dwarven Lieutenant, it’s evident that such cards become pivotal in decks that are honed to exploit the synergy and strength of specific creature types, marking their spot as a cornerstone in tribal decks within Magic the Gathering’s diverse card pool.

Cards similar to Dwarven Lieutenant by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dwarven Lieutenant stands out for its ability to enhance the presence of your other Dwarves, effectively multiplying the value of each Dwarf card you control. This can tip the scales in your favor by cultivating a robust battlefield presence, granting you substantial card advantage as each creature becomes a greater threat.

Resource Acceleration: This card acts as an engine for resource acceleration within Dwarf-centric decks. By boosting your Dwarf creatures, the Lieutenant increases the likelihood of dealing combat damage to a player, which, in certain deck builds, can trigger effects that allow you to draw cards or generate additional mana.

Instant Speed: While the Lieutenant itself isn’t an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This means you can wait until the most opportunistic moment during your opponent’s turn to strengthen your Dwarves, perhaps even in response to an opponent’s action, adding a layer of surprise and tactical depth to your in-game strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Dwarven Lieutenant’s ability can sometimes demand sacrificing your hand advantage, forcing the discard of potentially crucial cards. This requirement becomes a strategic drawback when your hand is filled with key pieces for your gameplay, reducing your options.

Specific Mana Cost: Dwarven Lieutenant’s reliance on both red and generic mana makes it a bit restrictive, especially for players looking to integrate it outside mono-red or dual-color decks. The specific mana cost can hinder its incorporation into more varied mana base decks, potentially limiting its utility in a broader range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to make the most of Dwarven Lieutenant’s abilities may not always coincide with the tempo of the game. With a mana cost that stands on the higher side, there are times when playing this card could mean forgoing a turn’s development in favor of a smaller, incremental advantage, potentially putting the Lieutenant’s controller at a tempo disadvantage.

Reasons to Include Dwarven Lieutenant in Your Collection

Versatility: Dwarven Lieutenant offers a flexible slot in any deck that focuses on Dwarves or looks to take advantage of tribal synergies. Its ability to bolster other Dwarf creatures means it can elevate your army’s power level, adapting to various board states.

Combo Potential: Pairing Dwarven Lieutenant with cards that create Dwarf tokens or those that benefit from buffs can lead to impressive combo plays. With each activation, your Dwarf tokens grow stronger, creating overwhelming forces that can be tough for opponents to handle.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal decks are prevalent, Dwarven Lieutenant proves to be a strategic asset. It thrives in environments where small, incrementally growing threats can apply consistent pressure. This makes the Lieutenant a wise pick for competitive players who want to edge out in tribal matchups.

How to beat

Dwarven Lieutenant stands as a notable threat within MTG, bolstering fellow dwarves in your opponent’s battalion. Its ability to strengthen other dwarven creatures by increasing their power can turn an unassuming dwarven army into a formidable force on the battlefield. To counter this, consider removing Dwarven Lieutenant swiftly, before that incremental advantage piles up. targeted removal spells are your ally here – think along the lines of Path to Exile or Murderous Rider, which can dispatch the Lieutenant before its effect becomes overwhelming.

Moreover, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation are also excellent choices, as they clear the slate entirely, negating the Lieutenant’s influence. If you’re facing a creature-heavy deck with a focus on tribal synergies, these kinds of broad-sweeping solutions are highly effective. Lastly, since the Lieutenant relies on a steady mana flow to buff its peers, disrupting your opponent’s mana base with spells like Stone Rain could hinder their ability to capitalize on the Lieutenant’s abilities, keeping the dwarven onslaught at bay.

Tactful card choice and timing can be pivotal in MTG, and mastering when to play your hand might just be the edge you need. Dwarven Lieutenant can be a turning point in any match, but with these strategies in your arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dwarven Lieutenant MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Dwarven Lieutenant and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dwarven Lieutenant has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal