Heavy Infantry MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 18
2019-11-07 - Number 135
2020-09-26 - Number ORI-18
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Heavy Infantry enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls.
Doors, walls, skulls . . . it matters not. All barriers will be broken.
Cards like Heavy Infantry
Heavy Infantry is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, meshing into the array of formidable ground forces available in a player’s arsenal. It shares some common ground with other cards like Standing Troops, which also offers a solid defensive presence. However, Heavy Infantry’s ability to tap an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield provides a tactical edge not seen in Standing Troops, giving players a temporary advantage in board control.
Another comparable card is Kor Hookmaster, with a similar ‘enter the battlefield’ effect that locks down an opponent’s creature for a time. While the Hookmaster comes with a lesser mana cost and is more aggressive in stat lines, the Heavy Infantry stands out with its higher toughness, making it a more durable option in prolonged engagements. Consul’s Lieutenant is also worth mentioning, with its renowned ability to bolster your forces if it attacks as a renowned creature, yet it doesn’t impact the battlefield immediately as Heavy Infantry does with its direct and disruptive entrance.
Therefore, in the context of providing immediate field control and lasting board presence, Heavy Infantry positions itself as a robust choice among white creature cards, especially in formats where stalling enemy tactics and maintaining a stalwart line of defense are crucial to victory.
Cards similar to Heavy Infantry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heavy Infantry may not directly draw cards, but its ability to potentially remove an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield can swing the board state in your favor. By dealing with threats or key pieces in your opponent’s strategy, you maintain card advantage by indirectly protecting your own assets on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Heavy Infantry itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, it can lead to a more stable board presence. Having sturdy blockers can effectively deter opponents from attacking, preserving your life and other resources. Moreover, combining this card with other spells or abilities that capitalize on the presence of solid creatures could enhance your mana efficiency over time.
Instant Speed: Although Heavy Infantry operates at sorcery speed, recognizing this helps fine-tune strategic play. You’ll strategize around maximizing your turn phases, deploying Heavy Infantry at the most opportune moment to pressure your opponent, or as a favorable response to your opponent’s end of turn, keeping pace in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To deploy Heavy Infantry, you might face the hurdle of a discard requirement. This could deplete valuable hand resources, potentially setting you back if your card selection is already strained.
Specific Mana Cost: Heavy Infantry comes with a specific mana cost that may not mesh with every deck archetype. If your deck isn’t aligned with the mana colors needed, including this card could compromise your mana base efficiency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to bring Heavy Infantry into play is significant when measured against other creatures in the same mana range. Players often seek lower-cost creatures that provide similar battlefield impact, making Heavy Infantry a less favorable choice in a competitive environment.
Reasons to Include Heavy Infantry in Your Collection
Versatility: Heavy Infantry is a solid choice for decks that need reliable board presence. As a creature card, it can bolster your defenses and participate in various roles on the battlefield, from acting as a blocker to supporting other strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks focused on soldier or human tribal themes. Its ability to tap an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield offers combo potential with various cards that capitalize on tapped creatures.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies often prevail, having Heavy Infantry available provides a tool against opposing threats. It’s especially useful in formats where creatures play a pivotal role and can be a game-changer in the right matchup.
How to Beat Heavy Infantry
In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Heavy Infantry stands as a notable presence on the battlefield, primarily due to its utility in locking down opponents’ creatures. When it enters the battlefield, the ability to tap a target creature can tip the scales in your favor during combat phases. To gain the upper hand against Heavy Infantry, it’s beneficial to employ strategies that minimize its battlefield impact or neutralize it entirely.
One approach is to employ instant-speed removal spells that can dispatch Heavy Infantry before its ability resolves, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, ensuring the threat is handled swiftly. Another strategy involves using counter spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to prevent Heavy Infantry from entering the battlefield in the first place, bypassing its tap-down effect altogether. Finally, leveraging creatures with abilities such as Flash, which enables you to play them at any time, can outmaneuver the slower, sorcery-speed plays that Heavy Infantry is a part of, maintaining tempo and control.
By keeping these tactics in mind, you can effectively counter the challenges posed by Heavy Infantry, maintaining leverage in your MTG matches and ensuring your creatures remain untapped and ready for action.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heavy Infantry MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins 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 Heavy Infantry 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 Heavy Infantry Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by David Gaillet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 135 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | ORI-18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heavy Infantry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |