Mercenary Knight MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Mercenary Knight |
| Released | 1997-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal |
| Set code | POR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 99 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adrian Smith |
Text of card
When Mercenary Knight comes into play from your hand, choose and discard a summon creature from your hand or destroy Mercenary Knight.
Cards like Mercenary Knight
Mercenary Knight brings prestige to the battlefield, blending into the proud lineage of MTG knights. Distinguished from others by its aggressive cost-efficiency, Mercenary Knight mirrors the black mana philosophy of powerful, albeit costly, strength. It shares the stage with cards like Knight of the Ebon Legion, which also expands its power for a price. However, Knight of the Ebon Legion provides added flexibility with a potential to grow stronger over the course of the game.
Another card worth considering is Order of the Ebon Hand. While similar in their devotion to black mana, this card offers protection against white spells and effects with the additional benefit of pump abilities, giving it the upper hand in versatility compared to Mercenary Knight. Meanwhile, the Cavalry Pegasus complements knight creatures by giving them flight, albeit it’s a white card and deviates from the black mana theme.
In evaluating Mercenary Knight against its kin, its all-in nature and strong initial presence on the board characterize its role. For players seeking straightforward power, it’s a card that can stand its ground in the right deck, despite the rigidness of its single-use ability.
Cards similar to Mercenary Knight by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mercenary Knight card gives players an edge by potentially offering card advantage. By enabling interactions or effects that draw or recur cards from the graveyard, it helps maintain a healthy hand size, crucial for staying ahead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Mercenary Knight can act as resource acceleration, especially in decks designed around Knights or Mercenaries. It might provide cost reductions for specific spells or synergize with other cards to generate additional mana, allowing for quicker deployment of threats on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: Equipped with instant speed abilities, Mercenary Knight can offer strategic flexibility. This feature allows players to respond to an opponent’s moves, cast spells at the end of an opponent’s turn, or surprise an adversary with unexpected plays, making it a versatile addition to any MTG deck.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Noteworthy for its gameplay effect, the Mercenary Knight card demands you to discard another card upon casting. This can potentially lead to a setback, particularly in situations where your hand is already depleted or when each card held is vital for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The Mercenary Knight’s activation is rooted in a specific mana cost alignment. This feature requires a strong presence of black mana in your deck, which might not align with multicolored or mana-flexible strategies, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Mercenary Knight can be a game changer, its casting cost is significant when balanced against its abilities. There exist other cards within the same mana range that might provide greater value or more impactful effects, making it less appealing for decks seeking to maximize efficiency in those crucial mid-game turns.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mercenary Knight is a flexible addition to numerous MTG deck archetypes, seamlessly integrating into strategies that thrive on aggressive plays and efficient creature cost.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with various equipment or aura spells, bolstering its combat prowess and turning it into a formidable threat on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given its solid stats and potential for synergy, Mercenary Knight holds its ground well in a metagame that favors quickly deployed threats and configures well into decks aiming to overpower opponents in the early to mid-game phases.
How to beat Mercenary Knight
Mercenary Knight is a formidable force on the battlefield, presenting a challenge for many players. When encountering this card, your strategy should focus on removal spells that can bypass its strengths. Consider cards like Path to Exile or Murder, which can efficiently handle this threat without triggering any on-death abilities that might be lurking in your opponent’s deck.
Control decks with ample sweepers can also be effective. A well-timed Wrath of God or Damnation clears the board, allowing you to reset the game state to your advantage. For those favoring a less direct approach, enchantments like Pacifism or the more recent Fall from Favor can neutralize the Mercenary Knight without having to remove it outright.
It’s important to adapt to your environment and deck style. Against a Mercenary Knight, speed can be your ally; applying early pressure with small, aggressive creatures may force your opponent to play defensively. Remember, being proactive and using your mana efficiently can be key in maintaining dominance over such threats. Ultimately, understanding your deck’s capabilities and leveraging your removal and control options will give you the upper hand against Mercenary Knight and shift the tide of battle in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mercenary Knight MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 Mercenary Knight 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mercenary Knight has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |