Erstwhile Trooper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Soldier |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 169 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason A. Engle |
Text of card
Discard a creature card: Erstwhile Trooper gets +2/+2 and gains trample until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.
"The Erstwhile—rotten of body and outmoded in dress, but unfailing in loyalty." —Vraska
Cards like Erstwhile Trooper
Engaging with the dynamics of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Erstwhile Trooper makes an interesting subject for comparison. It shares its creature type as a Soldier with various other creatures, such as Loyal Pegasus, but stands out with its unique ability to discard a creature card for a temporary boost in power and toughness. This self-sufficient mana ability contrasts sharply with the Loyal Pegasus, which requires another creature to attack.
Another card that resonates with Erstwhile Trooper is Golgari Raiders, which also emphasizes leveraging the graveyard—although it’s through the undergrowth mechanic that counts the number of creature cards in your graveyard for its strength upon entering the battlefield. The Trooper, meanwhile, offers more immediate gratification by buffing itself in the moment. This makes it valuable during combat but without the long-term scaling potential of the Raiders.
Ultimately, when analyzing the role of Erstwhile Trooper in comparison to its counterparts, its instantaneous buff capability and inherent synergy with graveyard-strategy decks become its key features, positioning it as a versatile choice in dedicated MTG deck builds.
Cards similar to Erstwhile Trooper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Erstwhile Trooper doesn’t necessarily grant card advantage in the traditional sense but it does grant utility by discarding another creature card for a temporary stat boost. This can lead to advantageous board states and potential tempo gains.
Resource Acceleration: This particular card doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, but discarding a creature card can synergize with graveyard strategies that are a form of resource acceleration. This synergistic interaction can be valuable in decks that exploit graveyard mechanics.
Instant Speed: The key ability of Erstwhile Trooper can be activated at instant speed, giving you flexibility during combat. This can disrupt an opponent’s strategy by boosting the Trooper’s power and toughness unexpectedly during the declare blockers step or in response to removal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Activating the ability of Erstwhile Trooper often comes at a steep price, necessitating that you discard another creature card. This can be particularly taxing in game situations where your hand is already depleted, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Erstwhile Trooper’s casting cost requires both green and black mana. This dual-color demand can restrict its inclusion exclusively to Golgari decks or those running sufficient mana fixing, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 3/2 body, Erstwhile Trooper may not be the most mana-efficient creature in a deck. Given that it doesn’t offer immediate impact upon hitting the battlefield and might require additional resources to enhance its stats, players may find that other cards provide greater value or have a more significant immediate effect on the game state for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Erstwhile Trooper blends well into Golgari decks, offering a strong two-drop creature that can serve both as an aggressive early play and a conditioning tool for late-game scenarios. The option to discard a creature card for a temporary boost allows for adaptable strategies depending on the state of play.
Combo Potential: Its ability to discard a creature card from your hand provides synergy with graveyard-based strategies. It works exceptionally in decks that capitalize on undergrowth abilities or those that benefit from having creature cards in the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where graveyard manipulation is a prominent element, Erstwhile Trooper can be a pivotal card. It acts as a catalyst in enabling delve, escape, or other mechanics that interact with the graveyard, making it a tactical asset when such strategies are prevalent.
How to Beat
Erstwhile Trooper can be a formidable presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, due to its ability to discard a creature card to gain a temporary boost. Defeating this type of card requires strategic plays. Removal spells are a straightforward solution – an early Cast Down or Fatal Push can eliminate Erstwhile Trooper before your opponent has the chance to use its ability. If removal isn’t in your hand, focusing on board control with stronger creatures can overshadow the Trooper’s impact.
Additionally, exile effects bypass the Trooper’s graveyard interactions, making them excellent choices. Play cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares to neutralize the threat it poses without triggering any potential synergy from your opponent’s graveyard. It’s also worth noting that Erstwhile Trooper demands a creature card to be discarded for its boost; disrupting your opponent’s hand with Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively weaken the Trooper’s utility.
Lastly, combat tricks can also play a pivotal role. You can bait an opponent into discarding for the Trooper’s ability and then respond with a buff or protection spell to your creature, ensuring a favorable trade-off during battle. With these strategies, you can effectively contain and surpass the challenge posed by Erstwhile Trooper.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Erstwhile Trooper MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Erstwhile Trooper 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Erstwhile Trooper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |