Lancers en-Kor MTG Card


Lancers en-Kor excels at redirecting damage, preserving crucial creatures and enhancing board control. Its instant speed ability provides real-time defense, crucial for adapting to threats and maintaining momentum. The card’s mechanics can catalyze powerful combos, emphasizing its versatility within damage-focused strategies.
Lancers en-Kor - Stronghold
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kor Soldier
Abilities Trample
Released1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set nameStronghold
Set codeSTH
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number8
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPete Venters

Text of card

Trample : Redirect 1 damage from Lancers en-Kor to a creature you control.

Nearly all sets of Kor twins are trained as lancers.


Cards like Lancers en-Kor

Lancers en-Kor is a unique creature in the realm of MTG, offering a distinct ability that clearly defines its role on the battlefield. Sharing some similarities with cards like Paladin en-Vec and Knight of Meadowgrain, Lancers en-Kor brings its own twist to the Kor tribe’s famed toughness and damage redirection abilities. Unlike the Paladin, which has protection from black and red, Lancers en-Kor does not inherently resist specific colors but compensates with the flexibility to redirect damage to another creature you control at no mana cost.

Another card to consider is Nomads en-Kor, which boasts a similar damage redirection ability, only at a lower creature power level. It’s an example of the en-Kor family’s trend of offering strategic defensive options in combat. While Nomads en-Kor requires less mana investment, the sturdier Lancers present as a more substantial obstacle for opponents.

Assessing these varied aspects demonstrates that Lancers en-Kor stands out within its category for its potential in tactical defense maneuvers, augmenting its value not just within its tribe, but for decks that revolve around synergistic damage redirection and absorption strategies.

Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
Knight of Meadowgrain - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
Knight of Meadowgrain - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lancers en-Kor by color, type and mana cost

Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
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Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Glory - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Lancers en-Kor presents a unique aspect of card advantage by offering an ability to redirect damage. This skill can be the turning point in a match by preserving key creatures on the battlefield, leading to sustained board presence and the potential for a strategic upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Despite Lancers en-Kor not directly producing additional mana or tokens, it fits seamlessly into strategies that aim at rapid board development. With its ability to protect vital creature-based strategies, it allows for more aggressive plays, thereby accelerating the resource utilization and pace at which a player can execute their game plan.

Instant Speed: The strength of this card is amplified by its ability to use its damage redirection ability at instant speed. This feature permits you to adapt to incoming threats on the fly, providing a layer of protection on both your turn and your adversary’s, which can significantly alter the course of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lancers en-Kor necessitates discarding other creature cards to fully utilize its flanking ability, potentially depleting your hand when you might need to keep options open.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Lancers en-Kor demands white mana, restricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably generate that color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three white mana and two of any type, other cards at a lower mana range may provide more immediate board presence or value, making Lancers en-Kor less appealing in faster-paced games.


Reasons to Include Lancers en-Kor in Your Collection

Versatility: Lancers en-Kor is a flexible warrior on the battlefield. Its ability to redirect damage can make it a strategic defender in various deck builds, particularly those needing a robust defensive line.

Combo Potential: The unique damage redirection mechanic serves as an enabler for synergies with cards that have beneficial effects when they are dealt damage. This can unleash powerful combinations, greatly impacting the flow of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its protective capacity in combat, Lancers en-Kor maintains relevance in metagames where combat damage dictates the pace. Its skill to survive and manipulate damage can turn the tide against aggressive decks.


How to beat

Lancers en-Kor presents a sturdy challenge on the battlefield with its unique ability to redirect damage to other creatures you control. This strategic element gives players the opportunity to turn potential setbacks into advantageous situations. To effectively tackle Lancers en-Kor, it’s essential to neutralize its damage redirection ability. This can be achieved through the use of untargeted removal spells or board wipes that don’t allow for selective protection. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board, eliminating the threat without allowing for the en-Kor’s ability to take effect.

Another approach is to employ spells that restrict the player’s actions or card abilities. With effects that prevent abilities from being activated or that punish players for using them, such as Pithing Needle or Phyrexian Revoker, you can bypass the en-Kor’s defenses. Strategic timing and the right removal tools are the keys to overcoming the resilience of Lancers en-Kor. Always consider the broader context of the game and adapt your strategy accordingly to ensure victory against this formidable opponent.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lancers en-Kor MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Lancers en-Kor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lancers en-Kor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lancers en-Kor 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 It can redirect damage to itself.
2004-10-04 It is possible to redirect more damage to a creature than that creature’s toughness.
2004-10-04 The ability of this card does not do anything to stop Trample damage from being assigned to the defending player.
2004-10-04 You can use this ability as much as you want prior to damage being dealt.
2013-07-01 When you redirect combat damage it is still combat damage.