Searing Spear Askari MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Knight
Abilities	Flanking
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	191
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Richard Kane Ferguson

Key Takeaways

Flanking ability enhances combat, making Searing Spear Askari a tactical choice against similar power creatures.
Requires specific mana, potentially limiting integration into multi-colored decks with diverse mana needs.
Stands as a valuable two-drop in creature-centric metas, influencing opponents’ blocking decisions.

Text of card

Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking is assigned to block this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.) o1oo R Searing Spear Askari cannot be blocked by only one creature this turn.

When the other soldiers of Zhalfir fall, the askaris will yet stand.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Searing Spear Askari may not directly offer card advantage, but its flexibility allows players to make efficient trades with opponents’ creatures. This can indirectly influence card advantage by maintaining a more dominant board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Searing Spear Askari doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, its moderate casting cost makes it a reliable drop for the mid-game stages, fitting seamlessly into your mana curve and helping maintain tempo.

Instant Speed: The flanking ability of Searing Spear Askari is a form of instant speed interaction. This ability triggers during combat whenever Searing Spear Askari blocks or becomes blocked by a creature without flanking, thereby potentially disrupting your opponent’s combat strategies unexpectedly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Searing Spear Askari has no discard requirement, making it a straightforward addition to your arsenal without sacrificing hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Searing Spear Askari is a red-aligned card, requiring both generic and red mana to summon. This commitment to a specific mana type might not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that prioritize mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be considered steep for its power and toughness, the Searing Spear Askari competes with other creatures and spells that could provide a greater impact on the battlefield immediately or offer additional abilities for the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Searing Spear Askari stands out with its flexibility on the battlefield. Its flanking ability makes it a robust option for players looking to tackle creatures with similar power. This skill also integrates well with a variety of red-based aggressive strategies, shining in decks focusing on combat tricks and board control.

Combo Potential: In decks built around synergies with attacking creatures, Searing Spear Askari can serve as a vital piece. Its ability to potentially reduce blockers’ power opens the door for intriguing interactions and combos, providing a subtle yet impactful advantage during intricate combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, having access to a resilient two-drop like Searing Spear Askari can be essential. Its presence on the field can deter opponents from optimal blocking and shift the pace of the game, making it a valuable card for aggressive red deck collectors and players looking to disrupt the current creature-centric meta.

How to beat Searing Spear Askari

Seizing victory against a player with Searing Spear Askari in their MTG arsenal requires strategic card play and a good understanding of the game dynamics. As a red creature card that can gain first strike until end of turn, the Searing Spear Askari can be a formidable offense on the battlefield if left unchecked.

To outmaneuver this card, consider using instant-speed removal spells before the Askari’s ability is activated, thus neutralizing it before it becomes a threat. Deploying creatures with higher toughness can also serve as an effective block, deterring an attack from the Askari. Furthermore, implementing defensive strategies like playing enchantments that weaken opposing creatures can reduce the impact of Searing Spear Askari’s strikes.

Ultimately, focusing on controlling the pace of the game and keeping removal resources at the ready will ensure that Searing Spear Askari’s presence does not dictate the outcome of the match. Properly managing the battlefield and anticipating your opponent’s plays transforms this card into a manageable challenge rather than an insurmountable obstacle.

Cards like Searing Spear Askari

The Searing Spear Askari card adds a dynamic twist to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a red creature known for the flanking ability, a characteristic shared by other cards such as Sidar Jabari. Both units can circumvent typical blockers with ease. However, the Searing Spear Askari is set apart by its mana cost and immediate impact on the battlefield.

Knights of Thorn are another group within the flanking realm, but while they boast greater strength and defense, they require a specific mana combination that can be restrictive in some decks. Flanking as an ability offers a tactical advantage, making creatures like Searing Spear Askari valuable in combat, especially when facing decks with numerous blockers.

Ultimately, cards like Searing Spear Askari excel in scenarios where traditional combat would prove challenging, its flanking ability offering an edge that can be crucial to turning the tides of a game. In this niche, it shines as an aggressive and cost-efficient choice for MTG player decks favoring red combat strategies.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Searing Spear Askari MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Searing Spear Askari and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Searing Spear Askari has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Searing Spear Askari card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.