Llanowar Knight MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Knight
Abilities	Protection
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	254
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Llanowar Knight’s first strike makes it a daunting blocker, maintaining board dominance early on.
Restrictive mana cost limits its use, making it less flexible compared to other two-drops.
Despite limitations, it can enhance green-white decks with its solid early game presence.

Text of card

Protection from black

Her armor and steed were borrowed, but her courage was hers alone.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Llanowar Knight won’t explicitly grant you card draw, its resilience in combat thanks to first strike can help maintain board presence against smaller creatures, effectively denying your opponent profitable trades and preserving your resources on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This trusty knight doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration; however, it represents a steadfast option that allows you to utilize your mana efficiently in the early game. Dependent on the larger strategy of your deck, this can indirectly contribute to a faster development of your board, keeping the pressure high and allowing for a more dynamic approach in the following turns.

Instant Speed: Although Llanowar Knight is a creature and doesn’t operate at instant speed, its inclusion in a deck that features tricks and removals that do can make for surprising combat phases. The knight’s vigilance keeps it ever-ready for offense and defense, allowing you to be more flexible with your instant-speed responses, knowing this card remains untapped to block or attack as needed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creature cards, Llanowar Knight doesn’t have any abilities that enhance gameplay after being cast. Its lack of abilities means it doesn’t provide additional value, such as card draw or damage mitigation, which can be a drawback during matches where maximizing each card’s impact is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Llanowar Knight requires both green and white mana to cast. This specific mana cost can limit the card’s inclusion to only green and white decks or multicolor decks that can accommodate this mana combination, potentially restricting the variety of decks it can be played in.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, a combined green and white mana cost might be considered high when compared to other two-drop creatures in MTG with similar or even better stats and abilities. This can make Llanowar Knight less desirable when building a deck with cost-effective creatures.

Reasons to Include Llanowar Knight in Your Collection

Versatility: Llanowar Knight is a solid addition to decks that require stalwart defenders. As a 2/2 with first strike, it stands as a reliable blocker in early game and can be a deterrent against aggressive plays.

Combo Potential: Its inherent synergy with green’s mana ramp and white’s creature buff spells means it can be a tactical piece in various combo setups, making it a useful card in decks that exploit these colors’ strengths.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where small, aggressive creatures are prominent, Llanowar Knight provides a defensive edge while fitting seamlessly into Selesnya (green-white) strategies that are often part of the ever-shifting meta.

How to beat

Llanowar Knight presents a steadfast opponent with its combination of vigilance and a solid power and toughness ratio relative to its casting cost. Overcoming this green and white creature often requires strategic play, focusing on removing it from the battlefield or diminishing its presence through combat tricks and control spells. In the breadth of MTG cards, direct removal spells like Doom Blade or a Path to Exile can cleanly answer Llanowar Knight without much fuss. Enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism also effectively neuters the card, preventing it from engaging in combat or blocking.

Another method is to outpace the Llanowar Knight by deploying creatures with higher power and toughness, establishing battlefield superiority. Cards that offer evasion, like those with flying, provide a way to bypass the Knight altogether. Timely mass removal spells such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the battlefield, including removing creatures like Llanowar Knight, offering a fresh start.

In essence, beating Llanowar Knight requires a blend of direct removal, evasion, or board control to ensure it doesn’t stifle your path to victory. Understanding the card’s strengths and weaknesses is paramount to formulating a successful strategy against this relatively sturdy two-drop creature.

Cards like Llanowar Knight

The allure of the Llanowar Knight in the realm of Magic: The Gathering lies in its simplicity and solidity for green and white decks. It draws parallels to other two-colored creatures such as Knight of the Tusk, which trades speed for power and toughness. While the Knight of the Tusk boasts a substantial presence with its 3/7 stats, it comes at a higher casting cost, making Llanowar Knight a more nimble choice for early gameplay.

Comparing it to a mono-green creature like Llanowar Elves, we see a shift in purpose. Llanowar Elves serve as a mana accelerator, which is pivotal for ramping up quickly, whereas Llanowar Knight offers reliable battlefield presence that can defend or apply pressure in the early stages. Another kin, the Skyknight Legionnaire from the Boros guild, demonstrates a blend of aggression and swift impact with its flying and haste attributes, yet it doesn’t offer the lasting board control that the Llanowar Knight can provide.

In essence, while other cards might outperform Llanowar Knight in specific aspects, this card combines early-game aggression with defensive stability, catering well to strategies that value a strong early board state in Magic: The Gathering.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Llanowar Knight MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Llanowar Knight and other MTG cards: