Zhalfirin Knight MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities Flanking
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. First strike and flanking make Zhalfirin Knight a tactical choice in combat-centric decks.
  2. Its requirement to discard for cycling could be a disadvantage in certain strategies.
  3. Mana cost specificity and higher cost may affect its presence in multi-colored decks.

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.) o Woo W First strike until end of turn

"You returned a warrior. . . . Your hair was cut, your eye tattooed with the red triangle of war." —"Love Song of Night and Day"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Zhalfirin Knight, the card brings a layer of strategic depth to deck building by giving you access to a creature that can double as a reactive play. This means that having it at your disposal can deter opponents from attacking, which can ultimately lead to maintaining your hand while diminishing theirs.

Resource Acceleration: This Knight isn’t directly responsible for resource acceleration. However, its presence can influence the pace of the game. In some cases, by effectively blocking and trading, it may help you conserve resources over time, indirectly leading to an advantage in the long run without explicitly adding mana or cards to your pool.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash Zhalfirin Knight into the battlefield provides not just a surprise block against an unwary opponent, but also flexibility in how you manage your mana. This can be particularly crucial in games where leaving mana untapped can suggest to your opponent that you may have other, more potent spells at the ready, making Zhalfirin Knight a tactical piece in your line-up.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside to the Zhalfirin Knight card is the necessity for players to discard another card to utilize its cycling feature. For deck strategies that don’t facilitate a high card turnover, this requirement might become a glaring setback, especially in situations where maintaining hand advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Zhalfirin Knight comes with a mana cost that includes white mana. This specificity can sometimes restrict deck building flexibility as it can’t be easily slotted into multicolored decks without a dependable white mana base, thereby limiting its utility for players who prefer a broader color palette in their deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana cost for its body and abilities, Zhalfirin Knight may not be the most mana-efficient option available. Players might find themselves in scenarios where deploying the knight results in a missed opportunity to use their mana more effectively on other spells or creatures with a more impactful presence on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Zhalfirin Knight serves as a flexible option, fitting well into both aggressive and control decks. Its first strike capability makes it a solid choice in combat, deterring opposition or safely attacking into smaller creatures.

Combo Potential: Leveraging its Flanking ability, the Zhalfirin Knight can synergize with other cards that benefit from combat-oriented mechanics, accentuating its value in decks focusing on combat tricks and board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where combat interactions are key, Zhalfirin Knight’s capability to potentially skew combat outcomes in your favor can prove to be a strategic addition, maintaining relevance as a niche yet impactful combatant.


How to beat

The Zhalfirin Knight card presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield with its flanking ability, which makes it difficult for opposing creatures with less power to effectively block it. To effectively counter Zhalfirin Knight, you’d want to look into using spells or abilities that don’t rely on the power of the blocking creature. Removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade can easily take care of this knight without having to engage it in combat. Additionally, preventing it from attacking by using pacifying effects like Pacifism or tapping abilities reminiscent of those found in Frost Lynx can neutralize the threat without directly addressing the knight’s combat strength.

Cards that can bypass Zhalfirin Knight’s flanking, such as those with flying or unblockable abilities, can also prove to be effective in overcoming this obstacle. Engaging it with creatures that have power higher than the Knight or using damage spells that target it directly can also be a viable strategy to dispose of the knight from the game. Lastly, you could also employ enchantments that negate Zhalfirin Knight’s abilities, making it a non-issue to tackle.


Cards like Zhalfirin Knight

For enthusiasts delving into the realm of vigilant knights in Magic: The Gathering, Zhalfirin Knight offers a blend of historical charm and functionality. Its closest relatives in terms of flavor and mechanics include Silverblade Paladin and Knight of Meadowgrain. Silverblade Paladin, while not featuring flanking, does grant double strike to itself and another creature when it enters the battlefield. It’s powerful but comes at a higher mana cost.

Knight of Meadowgrain, on the other hand, brings lifelink to the table, providing a constant source of life gain during combat, but is devoid of Zhalfirin Knight’s flanking ability that can be pivotal in weakening opposing blockers. Another card worth mentioning is Benalish Hero, an older staple with Banding, a mechanic that permits collective combat, though it lacks the offensive prowess granted by flanking.

In essence, while each of these knights plays a distinct role, Zhalfirin Knight stands out with its particular set of skills in tactical battlefield maneuvers. The strategy it enables for MTG players is one of subtle force and finesse, contributing to its distinct niche within the game.

Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Knight of Meadowgrain - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored Promos (PAVR)
Knight of Meadowgrain - Lorwyn (LRW)
Benalish Hero - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Zhalfirin Knight by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Snow Hound - Ice Age (ICE)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)
Kithkin Healer - Lorwyn (LRW)
Kor Hookmaster - Zendikar (ZEN)
Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Emancipation Angel - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zhalfirin Knight MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and 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 Zhalfirin Knight and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zhalfirin Knight Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1996-10-08. Illustrated by John Bolton.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 231997normalblackJohn Bolton
21996-10-08MirageMIR 501997normalblackJohn Bolton

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zhalfirin Knight has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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