Eager Cadet MTG Card
1999-07-01 - Number 15
2000-04-01 - Number 5
2001-04-11 - Number 14
2001-04-11 - Number 14★
2003-07-28 - Number S1
2005-07-29 - Number S1
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Eager Cadet
Eager Cadet joins the ranks of Magic: The Gathering’s simple yet reliable creatures. It stands toe-to-toe with cards like Savannah Lions, another one-drop creature. Both share the perk of requiring only a single white mana to cast. However, Savannah Lions bring a little more power to the battlefield with its 2/1 stats compared to Eager Cadet’s modest 1/1.
Looking at comparable options, Elite Vanguard is another card with similarities to Eager Cadet. Elite Vanguard matches Savannah Lions in power and toughness, presenting a more formidable challenge than Eager Cadet for the same mana investment. Yet, the cadet excels in being part of educational starter sets designed for new players, simplifying the entry to the game.
On balance, while more powerful creatures exist for the same mana cost, Eager Cadet serves as an excellent teaching tool, introducing newcomers to creature dynamics and the flow of MTG gameplay. It holds value in its role within the game’s ecosystem for budding players, setting a foundation for more complex strategies and understanding of creature efficiency.
Cards similar to Eager Cadet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Eager Cadet is straightforward in its approach, which means it can fit seamlessly into various decks without compromising the overall strategy. While it doesn’t directly provide card draw, its low cost makes it an efficient way to maintain presence on the board without depleting valuable hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: Eager Cadet’s real strength doesn’t come from its own ability to accelerate resources, but rather from its synergy with other cards. As a one-mana creature, it can quickly be played on the field, paving the way for more impactful plays in the subsequent turns, thus indirectly contributing to a faster-paced game.
Instant Speed: Although Eager Cadet is not an instant-speed spell, its low casting cost means it can easily fit into a turn where you might otherwise leave mana unused. This allows you to develop your board while still keeping mana available for actual instant-speed interactions during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While this may not directly apply to Eager Cadet as the card itself has no discard requirement, the necessity to include it in your deck may lead to a scenario where you’re forced to discard more useful cards due to the minimal impact Eager Cadet has during later stages of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Eager Cadet’s casting cost is fixed at a single white mana. This can be a disadvantage in multicolored decks that may struggle to produce the required mana consistently, thereby reducing the card’s overall effectiveness and flexibility within various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: On the surface, Eager Cadet’s mana cost seems low. However, when considering its vanilla stats of 1/1 with no additional abilities, the cost-value ratio is less appealing. More powerful creatures and utility cards are available at a similar, or slightly higher, mana cost, often rendering Eager Cadet as an underperforming choice in competitive decks.
Reasons to Include Eager Cadet in Your Collection
Versatility: Eager Cadet is a straightforward inclusion for decks that are built around synergy with one-mana creatures. Its simple cost and human soldier subtype make it a flexible choice for tribal decks or strategies emphasizing low-curve aggressive play.
Combo Potential: While not inherently combo-oriented, Eager Cadet can play a role in strategies that want numerous creatures on the board. It can work well with cards that buff numerous creatures or benefit from casting multiple spells in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that favors fast starts and early board presence, Eager Cadet offers a reliable turn-one play. It’s particularly useful in pauper formats or other environments where efficient, low-cost creatures are valued.
How to beat
Eager Cadet is a simple yet resilient creature in the Magic: The Gathering universe. This creature presents itself as an unassuming 1/2 body for a single white mana, making it an early game presence that can be challenging for some decks to tackle. However, overcoming the Eager Cadet can be achieved through strategic planning and understanding the mechanics at play.
One efficient way to beat the Eager Cadet is by utilizing spells that can deal damage or provide -X/-X effects, which can easily surpass the Cadet’s minimal toughness. Board wipe spells like Wrath of God or Day of Judgment are capable of clearing the Cadet along with any other creatures on the board, giving you a clean slate. Creature-based strategies, especially those that can outgrow the Cadet in terms of power and toughness through various buffs or equipment, can also outmatch this card in combat.
Remember, in a game of MTG, Eager Cadet might be an early threat, but with the right approach and responses, this card can be efficiently handled. Always consider how the Cadet fits within the broader scope of your opponent’s strategy and plan your moves accordingly to maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Eager Cadet MTG card by a specific set like Starter 1999 and Starter 2000, 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 Eager Cadet 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Eager Cadet Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-07-01 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 15 | 1997 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 2 | 2000-04-01 | Starter 2000 | S00 | 5 | 1997 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 14 | 1997 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 14★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | S1 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | S1 | 2003 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Eager Cadet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |