Fresh-Faced Recruit MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 216
2024-01-12 - Number 182
2024-02-23 - Number 192
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
As long as it's your turn, Fresh-Faced Recruit has first strike.
"Hold on to your ideals. They'll be tested more than your armor or the edge of your blade." —Tajic
Cards like Fresh-Faced Recruit
When we consider Fresh-Faced Recruit’s role in MTG, its potential for aggressive strategies comes to light. It reminds us of cards like Boros Challenger, which also thrives in an aggressive deck format. The Challenger has a mentor ability, which Fresh-Faced Recruit lacks, but it makes up for it with its ability to be blocked only by creatures with two or more power, giving it a subtle evasion edge.
Another card it resonates with is Fencing Ace, a creature known for its double strike. While the Ace might deal more damage under the right conditions, Fresh-Faced Recruit is more consistently able to get those hits in against a wider range of blockers. Furthermore, while Fencing Ace requires buffs or equipment to truly shine, the Recruit can press an advantage as is, right from the turn it’s played.
In essence, Fresh-Faced Recruit may not boast fancy keywords or effects, but it’s precisely this simplicity paired with its conditional unblockability that can make it a valuable player on the battlefield, adept at sneaking through defenses when you need it most.
Cards similar to Fresh-Faced Recruit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Break down the benefits of Fresh-Faced Recruit in MTG by first considering deck synergy. The recruit might not draw cards directly, but as a reliable creature, it supports strategies that reward you for having a wide presence on the battlefield, effectively improving the value of each subsequent troop deployed.
Resource Acceleration: Fresh-Faced Recruit doesn’t ramp up your mana directly; however, its low casting cost makes it an ideal early play. Positioning this efficient two-drop on your curve complements a smooth rollout, enabling you to develop your board while preserving resources for pivotal plays later on.
Instant Speed: The recruit operates at sorcery speed, yet the key lies in its mentor ability being available during combat on the very next turn after summoning. This means you can immediately begin to empower other creatures strategically, in line with the pace of instant-speed interactions, without needing to invest in additional spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Fresh-Faced Recruit doesn’t require a discard, but it’s important to consider that cards with this mechanic demand additional resources, which can strain your hand when trying to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: While this card has a flexible mana cost for its colored requirement, it’s notable that any card with a specific mana requirement might not fit into all deck archetypes, potentially limiting its utility in a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost for Fresh-Faced Recruit is low, but in terms of impact, other two-drop creatures might offer more utility or power for the same investment. In a game where board development is crucial, a card that does not maximize the mana spent can be a setback.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fresh-Faced Recruit is a flexible card able to slot into various aggressive strategies. Its ability to be a reliable attacker, with the bonus of being able to block creatures with mentor or other power-boosting effects, makes it a solid addition to decks looking to maintain pressure on opponents.
Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or those that utilize mentor mechanics, Fresh-Faced Recruit can quickly become a more formidable force on the battlefield, contributing to the overall synergy and potential for combo plays in both limited and constructed formats.
Meta-Relevance: Given that the meta often cycles through periods where aggressive strategies are favored, the Fresh-Faced Recruit can serve as an efficient tool to challenge slower decks by providing early game advantages and maintaining a steady pace of damage against your opponent’s life total.
How to beat
Fresh-Faced Recruit is a relatively straightforward card in MTG that draws its strength from its inherent flexibility on the battlefield. As a two-mana creature that can attack as though it didn’t have defender on your turn, this card can catch an opponent off guard, especially in the early game stages. However, to effectively counter Fresh-Faced Recruit, consider using removal spells that are efficient against low-toughness creatures. Cards like Shock or Dead Weight can easily handle the recruit before it can deal significant damage or benefit from buffs and combat tricks.
Defensive strategies also play a key role in overcoming the potential advantage posed by Fresh-Faced Recruit. Ensuring you have creatures with high toughness can provide a strong defense, neutralizing the recruit’s attacks and forcing your opponent to invest more resources to get through your lines. A vigilant defense combined with smart removal plays undermines the benefit that Fresh-Faced Recruit can provide, essentially nullifying its impact on the game and allowing you to maintain control of the board.
In sum, by understanding the card’s strengths and limitations, players can employ effective tactics that allow them to neutralize Fresh-Faced Recruit’s offensive potential and retain the upper hand in their MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fresh-Faced Recruit MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Fresh-Faced Recruit 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 Fresh-Faced Recruit Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Anthony Palumbo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Palumbo | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 182 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Palumbo | |
| 3 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 192 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Palumbo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fresh-Faced Recruit 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 |