Fallen Askari MTG Card

Fallen Askari’s flanking offers a strategic edge, compelling opponents to navigate around its battlefield influence. The card’s two-mana cost enables fast play but demands a color commitment, shaping deck construction. While versatile in combat, Fallen Askari’s utility can be diminished without proper deck synergy and support.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities Flanking
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking is assigned to block this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.) Fallen Askari cannot block.

In troubled times, there are few greater sorrows than a wayward savior.

Cards like Fallen Askari

Fallen Askari joins the ranks of two-mana creatures within MTG, holding its own with a noteworthy distinction of being a 2/2 creature with flanking. This ability allows it to weaken defending creatures without flanking that block it, giving it an edge over creatures like Knight of Glory. Although both have a power of two, Knight of Glory boasts protection from black but lacks the potentially offensive-oriented flanking ability.

Certain parallels can be drawn when looking at Skynight Legionnaire; both cards share an aggressive two-mana cost and can create pressure early in the game. However, Skynight Legionnaire offers immediate impact with flying and haste, allowing it to bypass ground creatures entirely on the turn it’s played. In contrast, Fallen Askari has the potential of being rendered unable to block on certain turns due to its ‘may not be untapped during your untap step’ clause, thus requiring a more strategic deployment.

When evaluating these creatures, the appeal of Fallen Askari becomes clear. It fits well into aggressive decks that benefit from creatures which can potentially disrupt standard blocking strategies, keeping opponents on the defensive while you build your battlefield presence.

Knight of Glory - MTG Card versions
Knight of Glory - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fallen Askari may not directly offer card draw, but by being a threatening and evasive creature due to its flanking ability, it can put pressure on opponents, forcing them to deal with it and potentially leading to advantageous two-for-one scenarios for you.

Resource Acceleration: While Fallen Askari doesn’t provide mana or token generation, as a two-drop creature, it facilitates a quick and efficient deployment onto the battlefield, allowing you to allocate resources towards other spells sooner.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the versatility of Fallen Askari comes from the ability to play other instants while presenting a threat. The flanking ability discourages blockers, often leaving mana open for instant speed interaction during the opponent’s turn, thereby maintaining a dynamic board state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Fallen Askari doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, discarding can be an element associated with the colors it represents. Be mindful of cards in your deck that might require discarding as a cost which can diminish your hand and affect your ability to utilize Fallen Askari effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: Fallen Askari has a color-restricted mana cost, needing both black and one other color. This can be restrictive for deck building as it requires a commitment to black mana sources, potentially limiting its inclusion in more color-diverse or colorless decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Fallen Askari might seem reasonable, but in hyper-efficient formats or decks, even a two-mana creature can feel costly, especially if the card’s impact on the game isn’t significant without further synergies or support cards.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fallen Askari is a card that offers flexibility due to its flank ability, allowing it to slip past common blockers with ease. This makes it a solid inclusion for aggressive decks that aim to keep pressure on the opponent.

Combo Potential: With its two-colored mana requirement, Fallen Askari is a natural fit for multicolored decks, particularly those that can benefit from tribal synergies such as Warriors or Soldiers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors swift, tactical gameplay, Fallen Askari could prove to be a valuable asset. Its ability to dodge certain defensive setups means it can consistently apply pressure and force opponents to adapt their board strategies.

How to beat

Fallen Askari is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering, recognized for its low mana cost and flanking ability. This ability can make Fallen Askari a tricky adversary, as it can reduce the blocking creature’s power and toughness. To effectively counter this card, it’s best to lean towards using direct removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to dispatch the Askari without having to engage in combat with it.

Another strategy is to utilize creatures with superior power and toughness that can withstand the flanking mechanic, or those with reach and flying to outmaneuver Fallen Askari’s ground assault. Spells that prevent the creature from attacking or blocking also serve as robust methods to neutralize the threat. Alternatively, employing enchantments like Pacifism can effectively render Fallen Askari harmless, turning it into a non-issue while you build your own board presence.

When facing Fallen Askari, it’s crucial to manage the battlefield and maintain control. With measured plays and the right combination of spells and creatures, overcoming the Askari’s strengths is a straightforward task for a well-rounded deck.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fallen Askari MTG card by a specific set like Visions and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Fallen Askari and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fallen Askari Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Adrian Smith.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 591997NormalBlackAdrian Smith
21997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 js591997NormalGoldAdrian Smith
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1192015NormalBlackAdrian Smith

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fallen Askari has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal