Knight of the Tusk MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 18
2019-11-07 - Number 150
2020-07-17 - Number 114
2020-09-26 - Number M19-18
Text of card
Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)
"Horse? Who needs a horse?"
Cards like Knight of the Tusk
Knight of the Tusk brings a formidable presence to the battlefield with its significant toughness and the Vigilance ability, enabling it to stand out among other creatures in Magic: The Gathering. When compared to cards like Sentry of the Underworld, both share the Vigilance trait; however, Knight of the Tusk boasts a higher toughness, which might make it a better blocker in certain situations. In contrast, Sentry of the Underworld offers the added flexibility of regeneration for a small mana fee.
Looking at Guardians of Meletis, we find another creature with comparable toughness, but it falls short as it lacks any abilities, making Knight of the Tusk a superior choice for decks that benefit from active defensive capabilities. Looming Altisaur is another creature with equal toughness but, similar to Guardians of Meletis, it doesn’t possess Vigilance, prioritizing Knight of the Tusk when a player needs a sturdy line of defense that can also partake in attacks without leaving itself open to retaliation.
Overall, Knight of the Tusk occupies a valuable niche of high-toughness vigilant creatures, ideal for players looking to maintain a strong defense while applying pressure on the opponent in the strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Knight of the Tusk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Knight of the Tusk may not directly allow you to draw extra cards, but its presence as a 6/5 creature can lead to advantageous board states. By outclassing many common creatures in combat, it indirectly contributes to maintaining card superiority on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Although Knight of the Tusk itself doesn’t ramp your mana, its substantial size for its mana cost represents a solid return on investment. The Vigilance ability allows it to attack without tapping, leaving resources available for other uses.
Instant Speed: While the Knight of the Tusk doesn’t operate at instant speed, as a strategic asset it compels opponents to hold back instant-speed removal in anticipation of its attack, thereby giving you a psychological edge during combat phases.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Knight of the Tusk does not require a player to discard cards, thus this drawback is not relevant for its evaluation.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two white mana and four generic mana, Knight of the Tusk can be challenging to deploy in multi-colored decks that struggle with color consistency or are competing for mana for other spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana for a 3/7 creature with vigilance could be considered steep, especially when there are lower cost creatures with comparable stats or abilities. This mana investment can affect the pace of your gameplay and might not match up well against more mana-efficient creatures in the current meta.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Knight of the Tusk has the ability to become an indispensable part of your deck due to its significant toughness and vigilance. It can serve as a formidable defender while still being able to attack each turn without tapping, fitting well into defensive strategies while retaining offensive presence.
Combo Potential: With its substantial strength and vigilance, it pairs well with cards that benefit from high-toughness creatures or those that capitalize on the vigilance mechanic. This creates opportunities for synergies in decks that exploit such traits.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where the board often gets locked down, Knight of the Tusk stands out as a tough creature capable of breaking through stalled battlefields. Its vigilance and stoutness make it a card to consider, particularly in metas favoring creatures and combat-focused strategies.
How to beat
The Knight of the Tusk is a creature card that exudes resilience due to its substantial toughness and the formidable ability that it can be tapped for damage absorption. This ability can make the Knight a daunting obstacle, especially for those reliant on combat strategies to secure victory. Overcoming this defensive powerhouse means altering typical offensive plans. One efficient tactic is utilizing spells that can bypass its defensive capabilities, such as those that deal direct damage to creatures or those that can exile or transform it without necessitating combat.
Another strategy to nullify the Knight of the Tusk is employing cards that can force it to tap without engaging in battle, thereby impeding its capacity to block for a turn. Enchantments or creature abilities that restrict or control opponent’s creatures contribute significantly, allowing you to manage or entirely avoid the Knight’s defensive prowess. Moreover, cards with the flying ability can be extremely useful, as they can evade the Knight’s ground blockade and apply pressure from above.
Players can also opt to build around control or permission-based strategies, using counter spells and hand disruption to prevent such creatures from entering the battlefield. This proactive approach can deal with the issue before it even arises, displaying the layered strategies inherent in Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Knight of the Tusk MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 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 Knight of the Tusk and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Knight of the Tusk Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | M19-18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Knight of the Tusk 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 |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.