Lance MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 27
1993-10-04 - Number 28
1993-12-01 - Number 28
1993-12-10 - Number 28
1993-12-10 - Number 28
1994-04-01 - Number 27
1994-04-01 - Number 27
1994-06-21 - Number 27
2022-11-28 - Number 27
2022-11-28 - Number 324
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains first strike.
Cards like Lance
The Lance card is an intriguing piece in Magic: The Gathering’s assortment of equipment artifacts. It shares similarities with other equipment that enhance creatures, like Bone Saw, which also offers an inexpensive way to boost a creature’s attributes. Lance, noteworthy for granting first strike, gives the equipped creature an upper hand in combat. This differentiates it from Bone Saw which lacks this combat-related edge, focusing only on a slight power boost.
Another card that mirrors Lance in terms of functionality is the renowned Leonin Scimitar. While it furnishes a creature with a marginal bonus to power and toughness, it does not offer the pivotal first strike ability. Conversely, Lance ensures that the equipped creature is better equipped for battle engagement, albeit at a higher activation cost for its equip ability. Similarly, the card Bladed Bracers serves an analogous purpose by giving a boost and vigilance, but here again, the distinct tactical advantage of first strike that Lance provides is absent.
Drawing comparisons, Lance stands out for its unique combat strategy among its peers. Harnessing the power of first strike can be game-changing, thus making Lance a strategic choice for decks capitalizing on tactical creature combat.
Cards similar to Lance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Keeping a steady flow of options in hand, the Lance card equips players with the means to maintain or even escalate their lead, by aligning threats and answers as needed throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Not just a sharpened tool for combat, Lance also offers the tactical benefit of ramping up one’s mana availability, potentially paving the way for faster deployment of high-impact creatures or decisive spells well ahead of the normal curve.
Instant Speed: The swift nature of Lance enables reactive playstyles, permitting duelists to adapt on the fly and respond with lethal precision at a moment’s notice, often catching adversaries unprepared right in the midst of conflict.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lance requires you to discard a card when you equip it, which can be a significant trade-off when your hand is already running thin on resources. Maintaining card advantage is vital in MTG, and discarding to activate an equipment’s ability can sometimes put you at a disadvantage, especially if you don’t have ways to recoup the loss.
Specific Mana Cost: The Lance card demands a very specific mana investment to be put to use. Its colored mana requirement means it doesn’t slot seamlessly into every deck. If your deck doesn’t heavily feature the required color or you’re facing a mana-fixing issue, it might not be the most efficient equipment choice.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not the most expensive equipment out there, Lance does carry a higher mana cost for its effect relative to some other options in the game. Other equipment cards might provide similar or better bonuses for less mana, potentially making them more attractive picks for players looking to optimize their deck’s mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lance, as a card, can be slotted into various decks that require a boost in offensive capabilities. It’s ideal for creature-based strategies that aim to push through defensive lines.
Combo Potential: Lance pairs well with creatures that have tap abilities or those that benefit from becoming unblockable, offering new dimensions for combo interactions within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where combat tactics can pivot the pressure in your favor, Lance’s ability to grant creatures first strike can be a game-changer, disrupting opponent strategies that aren’t prepared for such swift and impactful modifications.
How to beat
Lance, the MTG card that often fortifies your opponent’s creatures by granting them first strike and boosting their defensive capability, can be a tough artifact to work against. To effectively counter Lance, it’s crucial to adapt your strategy around artifact removal or control cards. Strategies utilizing cards like Disenchant, Nature’s Claim, or even a more versatile choice like Abrade can help to swiftly remove it from the battlefield, mitigating its advantage.
Employing creatures with abilities that counter first strike, such as those with deathtouch, can reduce the effectiveness of the enhanced creatures and level the playing field. It’s also advisable to hold removal spells until your opponent commits the Lance to a creature, ensuring maximum resource depletion. Additionally, incorporating board wipes into your deck can serve as a safeguard against the wide array of threats that Lance might protect.
Overall, while Lance might initially seem like an insurmountable obstacle, a well-prepared deck with the right removal spells and strategic plays can conquer the challenges posed by this classic MTG card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lance MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Lance 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 Lance Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 27 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 28 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 28 | 1993 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 28 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 28 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 27 | 1993 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 27 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 27 | 1993 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 9 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 27 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 10 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 324 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |