Esquire of the King MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 464
2023-06-23 - Number 13
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
, : Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. This ability costs less to activate if you control a legendary creature.
"Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?" —Lament for the Rohirrim
Cards like Esquire of the King
Esquire of the King enters the scene in Magic: The Gathering as a creature with dedicated focus towards bolstering your board’s defenses. It bears a resemblance to other knightly figures like the venerable Knight of the White Orchid. Both share the knightly valor, but Esquire of the King introduces unique dynamics, such as a relationship with the monarch mechanic, not present in the Knight of the White Orchid.
When examining other cards with a monarch-centric theme, the Palace Jailer emerges as a notable parallel. It also interacts with the monarch status, offering an additional layer of control by exiling an opponent’s creature. However, unlike Esquire of the King, Palace Jailer doesn’t offer steadfast defense to your forces. Marchesa’s Emissary is another card with a monarch association. It provides a protective hexproof shield while you are the monarch, yet it lacks the intricate board presence and team-boosting capabilities of Esquire of the King.
Ultimately, Esquire of the King’s unique blend of defensive utility and monarch-based synergy makes it a strategic consideration for decks looking to capitalize on maintaining monarch status while fortifying their battlefield position among the vast panorama of Magic: The Gathering cards.
Cards similar to Esquire of the King by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Esquire of the King excels in generating card advantage. By enabling you to peek at the top cards of your library, this card lets you strategize and ensure you have the right tools at your disposal for upcoming turns.
Resource Acceleration: The ability of Esquire of the King to untap lands or artifacts when it enters the battlefield can lead to significant resource acceleration. This can be a game-changer, allowing you to deploy more threats or have answers ready sooner than your opponent expects.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Esquire of the King is further enhanced by its instant speed interactions. Whether it’s flashing in to surprise block an attacker or using its activated abilities at the end of your opponent’s turn, this instant speed enables dynamic play that can adapt to fluid game states.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Esquire of the King requires a certain tactical approach, especially since activating its key abilities means you must discard other valuable cards from your hand. This can lead to difficult decisions, especially if you’re running low on cards and need to maintain a strategic reserve.
Specific Mana Cost: Esquire of the King comes with a very specific mana cost, which can be a cumbersome hurdle in multicolored decks that may not consistently generate the right colors of mana when you need them. This can lead to situations where the card remains stuck in your hand unable to be cast.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost-to-effect ratio, Esquire of the King may fall short. For its mana cost, players might expect a more impactful presence on the board. In a game where efficiency can be the difference between victory and defeat, there are alternatives that could be considered more mana-efficient for similar or better effects.
Reasons to Include Esquire of the King in Your Collection
Versatility: Esquire of the King is a card with a flexible role in deck building. Its low casting cost and potential for deck synergy allow it to slip seamlessly into various strategies, elevating its value in a collector’s arsenal.
Combo Potential: This card can catalyze combos with its unique abilities, setting off a chain reaction that can significantly turn the tide of a game. Its interactions with specific mechanics can unlock new and powerful ways to outmaneuver opponents.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing landscape of the metagame, Esquire of the King holds up as a contender in the current competition. It can stand its ground against prevalent deck types, providing a strategic edge in tightly-contested matches.
How to beat
Esquire of the King stands out in MTG for its capacity to bolster resilience among other creatures on the battlefield. Yet, overcoming this card comes down to preventing its activation or mitigating its effects once it hits the play area. One efficient method is to remove the Esquire before its ability can be triggered, preferably through instant speed removal spells that can disrupt the opponent’s plans during their turn. Additionally, playing cards that limit the opponent’s ability to target their own creatures with abilities or spells can also invalidate the Esquire’s primary strength, leaving it vulnerable.
Control decks that consistently clear the board or exile threats are adept at handling creatures like the Esquire of the King. Sweepers or mass removal spells can be effective by not giving the creature an opportunity to be a persistent problem. On the flip side, strategies that pivot around counterspells and denial can suppress the Esquire’s presence outright. By meticulously anticipating the plays and keeping the board state under control, the Esquire’s utility can be significantly diminished, allowing you to maintain the upper hand.
Ultimately, recognizing the Esquire of the King’s role in your opponent’s strategy and countering it before it gains momentum becomes the cornerstone of any successful game plan against this particular MTG card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Esquire of the King MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Esquire of the King 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 Esquire of the King Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Tyukina Tatiana.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 464 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyukina Tatiana | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyukina Tatiana |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Esquire of the King has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |