Mercenaries MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Mercenary |
| Released | 1995-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ice Age |
| Set code | ICE |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 44 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Cornelius Brudi |
Text of card
Whenever Mercenaries damages a player, that player may pay o3 to prevent that damage.
"Blasted amateurs! Doesn't the queen think we can fight well enough on our own?" —Avram Garrisson, Leader of the Knights of Stromgald
Cards like Mercenaries
The Mercenaries archetype in Magic the Gathering holds a particular niche, notably distinct from other creature types. A card that stands as a representative of Mercenaries is Cateran Brute. Like its fellow Mercenary cards, it leverages the powerful search mechanic inherent to its subtype. This allows players to shuffle their deck for another Mercenary card, presenting strategic deck thinning akin to cards such as Transmute Artifact or Fauna Shaman, which also enable specific card searches.
Comparatively, Imperial Recruiter is another card that offers a similar creature search functionality but with more flexibility. It doesn’t restrict the player to a certain creature type, thus enabling a broader search that can be significant in assembling key pieces of a combo. Nonetheless, the targeted nature of the Mercenary search can be argued to provide a more focused game plan, which can be pivotal in a Mercenaries-centric deck. Additionally, the synergy among Mercenaries could accumulate value over time, which is a strategic depth specific to this group.
While evaluating these parallel options, it’s apparent that Mercenaries cards in Magic the Gathering, often underscored by their role-specific nature, have formed an intriguing space among searching mechanics, positioning themselves as useful tools in a strategist’s arsenal.
Cards similar to Mercenaries by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mercenaries cards often provide methods to directly replace themselves by drawing cards or indirectly by tutoring for other Mercenaries from the library, helping you to outmaneuver opponents with a steady flow of options.
Resource Acceleration: Many Mercenaries facilitate an increase in resources, be it through ramping up mana with various abilities or by providing cost reductions for other Mercenary cards, enabling a more efficient gameplay and deployment of threats on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: The Mercenaries in the MTG universe sometimes feature flash, allowing you to play them at instant speed, thus keeping your opponents guessing and offering the element of surprise, as well as the flexibility to react to an evolving game state. This can swing the tide of battle in your favor at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some mercenaries demand that players discard a card to activate abilities. This trade-off can be burdensome when trying to maintain card advantage against an opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Mercenary cards often come with a demand for a particular mana combination, which restricts their inclusion in decks where mana flexibility is crucial for consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Within their specific roles, mercenaries can have a higher mana cost relative to other creature types. This can hinder your tempo, especially if faster, lower-cost alternatives are available in the current Meta.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mercenaries cards offer adaptability to various strategies, fitting seamlessly into decks that thrive on tactical plays and creature synergies.
Combo Potential: These cards often have abilities that, when combined with others, can generate powerful effects and turn the tide of the game, enhancing both aggressive and control game plans.
Meta-Relevance: Given their ability to provide utility and interact with a wide range of board states, mercenaries can be particularly effective in a meta that values flexibility and incremental advantage.
How to Beat Mercenaries
Mercenaries in Magic the Gathering have always been known for their tactical flexibility on the battlefield. These cards usually allow players to dig through their deck to find and utilize more of their mercenary allies. This mechanic underscores the importance of a well-timed removal strategy to disrupt your opponent’s mercenary chain. Including versatile removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed helps you manage these threats before they snowball out of control.
Moreover, implementing graveyard disruption can be an effective measure, as mercenaries often rely on recurring creatures from the graveyard. Cards like Rest in Peace and Leyline of the Void can hinder an opponent’s ability to gain value from their card interactions and maintain control of the game flow.
Additionally, board sweepers are crucial in addressing a wider range of creature threats posed by mercenaries. Well-placed sweepers can clear multiple mercenaries in one fell swoop, which can be a major setback for the opposing player, as mercenaries often need a critical mass on the board to be effective. Keeping these strategies in mind will enhance your chances of success against a mercenary-themed deck.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mercenaries MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Mercenaries 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mercenaries has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |