Paladin en-Vec MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities First strike,Protection
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Its first strike and protection from black and red spells establish a solid defensive position on the battlefield.
  2. Efficient mana cost offsets this paucity, enabling strategic plays and quicker deployment of other cards.
  3. Synergizes well with instant speed spells, enhancing your reactive capabilities in the game.

Text of card

First strike, protection from black, protection from red

"Our belief shall be the lance that pierces Volrath's heart."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Paladin en-Vec provides an upper hand through its formidable first strike ability, deterring opponents from attacking and thereby preserving your cards on the battlefield. Its protection from black and red spells further secures your lead, allowing you to maintain a strategic advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting your mana pool, Paladin en-Vec’s efficient mana cost for its robust skill set accelerates your resource allocation. It permits the deployment of other high-impact cards sooner, since you’re spending less mana on a solid defense.

Instant Speed: Paladin en-Vec itself might not be an instant, but it pairs incredibly well with cards of instant speed. Its protective nature allows you to hold back on using your instant removals or counters, knowing that Paladin has your battlefield covered against numerous threats, making it a synergistic addition to any deck focused on reactive strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Paladin en-Vec doesn’t require a discard per se, but it does demand you to play with certain cards to fully utilize its abilities, effectively narrowing your deckbuilding options and potentially forcing discards to maintain a focused strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card needs a white mana commitment, which isn’t as restrictive as some, but can still necessitate a dedicated or at least a splash in your mana base. Ensuring the white mana is available when you need it could be an issue in some multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Paladin comes with a mana cost that is not negligible, especially given that it’s a creature with protection abilities. In some situations, you might find more versatile or impactful creatures or spells for similar costs, which can deter players from including it in their decks despite its inherent strengths.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Paladin en-Vec is a classic card that can be incorporated into a variety of white-based decks. Its protection from black and from red makes it a valuable defensive choice against common removal spells and aggressive strategies in these colors.

Combo Potential: As a creature with first strike, Paladin en-Vec pairs well with equipment and enchantments that complement its combat abilities, maximizing its use in both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given its innate protections, Paladin en-Vec remains relevant in metas that are heavily influenced by red and black spells. Its presence can deter opponents from playing creatures and spells of these colors, subtly influencing their game tactics.


How to beat

The Paladin en-Vec is a renowned creature card with protection from black and red, which are common removal colors in Magic: The Gathering. This makes handling the Paladin a challenge if you’re reliant on those colors for your strategy. To counter this, it’s beneficial to have alternative removal or control options in your deck. White has proven to be a reliable color to circumvent Paladin en-Vec’s protection with spells like Path to Exile or the classic Swords to Plowshares, providing an efficient removal option.

Blue also offers a suite of counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak to prevent Paladin en-Vec from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Additionally, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize its combat abilities without needing to target it directly. Lastly, other colors can use colorless options, like artifacts or the versatile card Deathtouch through equipment and creature abilities to handle the Paladin. Consider options beyond direct damage or destruction—think bounce, exile, or indirect removal tactics.

Navigating around the Paladin’s protections requires a bit of creative strategizing. Nevertheless, with a well-rounded deck, this formidable creature can be efficiently managed, allowing players to continue their path to victory.


Cards like Paladin en-Vec

Paladin en-Vec is a standout figure among creatures in Magic: The Gathering, sharing some similarities with other notable knights and warriors. Just like Silver Knight, Paladin en-Vec boasts protection abilities, making it invulnerable to specific colors—black and red in the case of Paladin en-Vec. While Silver Knight requires less mana to cast, Paladin en-Vec compensates with a superior power and toughness ratio, making it a more formidable presence on the battlefield.

Examining Mirran Crusader, another parallel can be drawn. This creature also has protection from black and boasts double strike, which potentially allows it to deal more damage. However, the Paladin en-Vec’s immunity to red spells and effects is significant, especially in a meta where red spells are prevalent. Mirran Crusader lacks this beneficial shield against red, which could be a decisive factor in player preference.

Finally, considering the broader range of creatures with protection, Paladin en-Vec fits into a strategic niche that balances offensive capability and defensive fortitude. Its specific set of protections and a solid offensive stance make it a valuable choice for decks aiming to leverage the combat phase against decks with black and red spells.

Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - Scourge (SCG)
Mirran Crusader - Mirrodin Besieged Promos (PMBS)

Cards similar to Paladin en-Vec by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Prelate - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Snow Hound - Ice Age (ICE)
Elvish Healer - Ice Age (ICE)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Stern Marshal - Portal (POR)
Soltari Crusader - Tempest (TMP)
Town Sentry - Portal Second Age (P02)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Sanctum Prelate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Paladin en-Vec MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Paladin en-Vec and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Paladin en-Vec Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 121997normalblackRandy Elliott
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bh121997normalgoldRandy Elliott
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 32★2003normalblackSimon Bisley
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 322003normalwhiteSimon Bisley
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 32★2003normalblackDave Kendall
62007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 322003normalblackDave Kendall
72015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 232015normalblackRandy Elliott
82020-09-26The ListPLST 10E-322003normalblackDave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Paladin en-Vec has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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