Faithbearer Paladin MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 25
2019-11-07 - Number 104
2023-03-21 - Number 28
2020-09-26 - Number EMN-25
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Abilities | Lifelink |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
"I've seen cathars riding to battle without a hint of fear. Perhaps that is its own sort of madness." —Esler, Havengul mercenary
Cards like Faithbearer Paladin
Faithbearer Paladin is a solid presence in the life gain deck archetypes in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card, it is often compared to other life-linking creatures such as Lone Rider. Lone Rider has a transform ability that can potentially turn it into a more powerful creature but requires setup to achieve the transformation. Faithbearer Paladin, on the other hand, has no additional conditions for its life gain ability, making it a consistent source of health increase every time it deals damage.
Another creature that often finds itself in similar decks is the Ajani’s Pridemate. Unlike Faithbearer Paladin, Ajani’s Pridemate can grow more formidable with each instance of life gain, becoming a substantial threat if not dealt with quickly. However, it doesn’t come with life link natively. This is where Faithbearer Paladin stands firm, offering stabilizing life totals while maintaining a relentless board presence with its own sizeable body.
In essence, Faithbearer Paladin finds its place among life-linking creatures in Magic: The Gathering. With straightforward life gain mechanics and robust defensive capabilities, it’s a card that offers predictable and immediate impact, suitable for decks prioritizing longevity and resilience.
Cards similar to Faithbearer Paladin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Life Gain: Faithbearer Paladin comes with the ability to confer a significant benefit in terms of life gain, aiding in outpacing many aggressive strategies and securing a late-game advantage.
Board Presence: With its 3/4 stats, this card is a sturdy inclusion on the board, capable of repelling smaller threats while also putting a clock on the opponent.
Endurance: Its lifelink ability enables Faithbearer Paladin to tough it out in protracted engagements, making it an excellent contender in matchups where resilience is key.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To maximize the benefit of Faithbearer Paladin, you might have to play around Life Gain strategies, which could lead to an unwanted discard of valuable cards if your hand is already tailored to a different setup.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires two Plains among its mana cost, which may prove restrictive for multi-colored decks that rely on a diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Faithbearer Paladin offers Lifelink, its five-mana cost is substantial, making it potentially less attractive compared to other creatures or spells that offer similar abilities or better stats with improved board impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Faithbearer Paladin offers a solid option for decks looking to maintain a presence on the board with its 3/4 stats and lifelink ability. This makes it a welcome addition to both aggressive and control-based strategies that aim to offset damages and stay in the game longer.
Combo Potential: Lifelink enables interesting combos with cards that trigger effects on life gain. Faithbearer Paladin works particularly well in decks that capitalize on such mechanics, offering sustained benefits as you gain life each turn it engages in combat.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of aggressive strategies in many metas, the Paladin’s ability to provide a recurring life buffer can be an effective counterbalance. This makes it a relevant choice for those looking to improve their matchup against fast-paced decks.
How to Beat Faithbearer Paladin
Faithbearer Paladin is a loyal knight known for his resilience on the MTG battlefield. This formidable card, with its lifelink ability, allows players to gain life equal to the damage it deals, a characteristic that can turn the tide in prolonged matchups. Encountering this creature often forces opponents to rethink their strategy and find efficient methods to remove it from play.
One tactic is to use removal spells that can bypass its lifelink, such as Murder or Doom Blade, immediately eliminating the Paladin without any life gain for your adversary. Another strategic approach involves using cards that reduce the Paladin’s combat effectiveness, like those inflicting -1/-1 counters or ones that can exile it from the game entirely, such as Path to Exile. Board wipes like Wrath of God can also clear the field, including stubborn lifelink soldiers like Faithbearer Paladin, helping to reset the state of play to your advantage.
Leveraging these strategies requires understanding the metagame and arming your deck with tools to handle creatures that can consistently recover life points. Being prepared for stalwart defenders like Faithbearer Paladin ensures that your MTG battles won’t be lost to the enduring spirit of a single lifelink knight.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Faithbearer Paladin MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Mystery Booster, 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 Faithbearer Paladin 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 Faithbearer Paladin Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 104 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | EMN-25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | ||
| 4 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 28 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Faithbearer Paladin 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 |