Frontline Strategist MTG Card


Grants card advantage and can turn games with its instant speed interaction and resource acceleration. Demands precise mana and has a high cost, potentially limiting its fit in some decks. Its morph capability provides versatility and surprise, making it a valuable combat trick.
Frontline Strategist - Scourge
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Morph
Released2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set nameScourge
Set codeSCG
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number15
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Text of card

Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Frontline Strategist is turned face up, prevent all combat damage non-Soldiers would deal this turn.


Cards like Frontline Strategist

The Frontline Strategist stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a defensive creature card, evocative of cards such as Whipcorder and Benevolent Bodyguard. Whipcorder allows you to tap down an opposing creature, which can be quite beneficial in deterring an enemy’s offensive strategy, however, it doesn’t have the same surprise factor as the Strategist’s morph ability. Benevolent Bodyguard offers protection to another target creature by sacrificing itself, showcasing its worth in shielding your key players on the battlefield.

In comparison, cards like Soltari Trooper and Loyal Sentry offer different approaches to being low-cost white creature cards. Soltari Trooper provides you with an aggressive tool, ramping up damage each time it attacks, unlike Frontline Strategist which leans towards a defensive role. Meanwhile, Loyal Sentry can outright destroy an attacking creature when blocking, though it doesn’t share the morphing flexibility that makes Frontline Strategist versatile in combat.

Seemingly, despite the presence of other tactical creature cards in the game, Frontline Strategist fits snugly into a niche role – capitalizing on its morph ability for unsuspected battlefield control, specifically in formats and decks where such surprise tactics offer a significant edge.

Whipcorder - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Soltari Trooper - MTG Card versions
Loyal Sentry - MTG Card versions
Whipcorder - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Soltari Trooper - MTG Card versions
Loyal Sentry - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Frontline Strategist by color, type and mana cost

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Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Eager Cadet - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Frontline Strategist can bolster your hand by letting you access key spells at crucial moments, giving you the upper hand in card count and options available during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to potentially untap lands or other mana sources, Frontline Strategist can ramp up your resources, allowing you to deploy more threats or hold up mana for reactive plays.

Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by instant speed interaction on Frontline Strategist means you can adapt to the battlefield on the fly, reacting to opponent moves or making surprise plays during their turn for tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Frontline Strategist requires discarding a card as part of its activation, which can deplete your hand, especially in the late game when resources are critical.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana composition to cast, leaning heavily on white mana, which may not align with multicolored or color-flexible strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Frontline Strategist has a considerable mana requirement for its abilities, players may find it less appealing in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures can be more impactful early on.


Reasons to Include Frontline Strategist in Your Collection

Versatility: Frontline Strategist can be a crucial part of decks focusing on soldier synergies or those that require a quick blocker on the field. Its ability to potentially fog a combat phase can shift the tide of battle in your favor.

Combo Potential: As a morph card, it adds an element of surprise that can be leveraged in various ways. Its morph cost allows you to keep mana open for instant spells while presenting a potential combat trick to deter opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Frontline Strategist provides an inexpensive way to stall enemy creatures. When metagames favor creature-based attacks, having a card that can readily disrupt combat is incredibly useful.


How to beat

Frontline Strategist highlights its utility in Magic: The Gathering with a tactical ability that can dictate combat outcomes. The Strategist’s Morph cost allows for a surprise element on the battlefield, potentially negating all damage that creatures without flying would deal in a turn. To effectively counter this card, players should consider using removal spells before the opponent has the chance to flip it face up. Direct damage spells or targeted removal like Shock and Murder are excellent at ensuring the Strategist never gets to utilize its ability.

Another strategy includes overwhelming the Strategist with multiple threats. Since its ability can only be activated once, you can bait its activation before committing more important creatures to the battle. Alternatively, flying creatures are unaffected by the Frontline Strategist’s ability and can prove to be a viable tactic to maintain aerial dominance and pressure. Lastly, counterplay can involve spells that prevent Morph activation altogether, shutting down its combat trick and maintaining control of the fight. Assessing potential threats and considering these strategies will ideally position you to outmaneuver the Frontline Strategist.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Frontline Strategist MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Frontline Strategist and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Frontline Strategist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frontline Strategist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 The creature type is checked for “non-Soldier” at the time the damage would be dealt. If the creature that is dealing the damage is not on the battlefield, use its creature type right before it left the battlefield.