Veteran Cavalier MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage by refreshing your hand upon entering or exiting the battlefield.
  2. Excels at increasing mana resources quickly; pivotal for early deployment of powerful cards.
  3. Its mana cost and discard requirement might hinder deck flexibility and pace.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Attacking doesn't cause Veteran Cavalier to tap.

Spirit is the sword and experience the sharpening stone. —Arabian proverb


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Veteran Cavalier shines in dishing out card advantage by potentially replenishing your hand when it enters the battlefield or leaves the game, keeping your options abundant and your strategies flexible.

Resource Acceleration: This stalwart soldier can contribute to ramping up your resources. If it’s involved in the right synergy or deck build, its presence could lead to an earlier deployment of high-cost threats that could change the tide of the match in your favor.

Instant Speed: Though Veteran Cavalier isn’t an instant itself, it pairs well with cards that operate at instant speed, offering robust defense during your turn and leaving your mana free to cast spells on your opponent’s turn, adapting swiftly to the evolving battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Veteran Cavalier asks players to discard another card when you want to utilize its ability. This can be quite taxing when your hand is already running low, effectively narrowing down your available strategies and reducing the element of surprise against opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and colorless mana, Veteran Cavalier’s casting cost can sometimes be tricky to manage in a multicolor deck. It demands a firm commitment to white mana sources, potentially limiting its inclusion only to decks that can reliably provide the necessary resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Taking into account that Veteran Cavalier comes with a noticeable mana investment, it competes with a range of other four-mana creatures and spells that might bring more immediate impact to the game. In fast-paced matches, its cost-to-benefit ratio might not always align with your deck’s tempo and strategy.


Reasons to Include Veteran Cavalier in Your Collection

Versatility: Veteran Cavalier slips effortlessly into various deck types, shining particularly in Knight and Soldier tribals where its synergies can bolster your forces, or in any deck that thrives on reliable two-drop creatures.

Combo Potential: Its ability to boost other creatures makes it a tactical asset. It can amplify the impact of enter-the-battlefield effects, support strategies built around +1/+1 counters, and fortify your combat phase.

Meta-Relevance: With gameplay often hinging on early board presence, Veteran Cavalier provides a steadfast option for establishing control. Its relevance grows as it consistently proves to be a dependable inclusion in decks that aim to outpace and outmaneuver opponents in the current meta.


How to beat

Veteran Cavalier is a robust creature in the MTG universe, offering resilience and battlefield presence. To outmaneuver this stalwart defender, it’s essential to leverage removal spells that can bypass its protection. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are perfect for dealing with this threat directly, without having to engage in unfavorable combat scenarios. In games where creature strategies dominate, having access to board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can also provide a clean slate from which to rebuild your position while efficiently dealing with the Cavalier.

Additionally, countering the Cavalier before it even enters the battlefield is an effective strategy. Spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent this durable knight from causing any trouble. If the Cavalier is already on the field, employing evasive tactics with flying or unblockable creatures can help you skirt around it, enabling you to apply pressure on your opponent from angles they can’t defend against. Lastly, remember to manage your resources wisely, as timing and the element of surprise can be crucial in gaining the upper hand against cards with such enduring presence.


Cards like Veteran Cavalier

Veteran Cavalier is an engaging piece for those who appreciate steadfast creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It sits in a family of creatures that pair moderate power with defensive capabilities. Knights of the White Orchid, for instance, bring a similar strength and toughness to the battlefield. However, Veteran Cavalier offers the edge with its potential to trigger lifegain, a valuable asset in longer games where resilience is key.

When considering other comrades in arms, Benalish Marshal also emerges as an interesting comparison. While not offering lifegain, the Marshal confers a valuable bonus to all other creatures you control, bolstering your army’s size. This encourages a more aggressive strategy compared to the Cavalier’s conservative approach. Another relative in this assemblage is Knight of Meadowgrain, which, like Veteran Cavalier, possesses lifelink but is also slightly more aggressive due to its lower casting cost.

All things considered, the choice between Veteran Cavalier and its counterparts hinges on your gameplay style and deck strategy. It may not be the bulkiest or the swiftest knight at the round table, but the Veteran Cavalier’s balance between offense and defense, supplemented by its lifegain ability, make it a card worth considering for players looking to stabilize and prolong the match.

Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions
Knight of Meadowgrain - MTG Card versions
Benalish Marshal - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Knight of Meadowgrain - Lorwyn (LRW)

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White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
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Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
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Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Revered Dead - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Starlight Invoker - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Veteran Cavalier MTG card by a specific set like Starter 1999 and Ninth Edition, 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 Veteran Cavalier and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Veteran Cavalier Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-07-01 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by rk post.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-07-01Starter 1999S99 301997normalwhiterk post
22005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 522003normalwhiterk post
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 52★2003normalblackrk post

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Veteran Cavalier has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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