Northern Paladin MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 29
1993-10-04 - Number 30
1993-12-01 - Number 30
1993-12-10 - Number 30
1993-12-10 - Number 30
1994-04-01 - Number 29
1994-04-01 - Number 29
1994-06-21 - Number 29
1995-04-01 - Number 37
1995-04-01 - Number 37
2001-04-11 - Number 28
2001-04-11 - Number 28★
2022-11-28 - Number 29
2022-11-28 - Number 326
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
o Wo W and tap: Destroys a black card in play. Cannot be used to cancel a black spell as it is being cast.
"Look to the north; there you will find aid and comfort." —The Book of Tal
Cards like Northern Paladin
The Northern Paladin stands as a venerable figure amidst Magic: The Gathering’s knights and warriors. He echoes other cards like Southern Paladin, his counterpart, which also has the ability to destroy targets, but they’re of separate colors. Where Northern Paladin directs its power at black spells or creatures, Southern Paladin targets red. This distinction is crucial for deck synergy and responding to your opponent’s threats.
Comparatively, White Knight and Black Knight share similar attributes to Northern Paladin, such as protection from either black or white. What sets Northern Paladin apart, however, is the added utility of removal, providing strategic value beyond what these more straightforward knights offer. Moreover, the Paladins carry a higher cost, reflecting their removal abilities. The legendary creature Mirran Crusader is another worthy mention – while lacking the removal ability, it compensates with double strike and protection from black and green, widening its range for strategic plays in different match-ups.
Syncing removal with creature play makes the Northern Paladin a compelling option for deck builders. When card benefits and utility are weighed, Northern Paladin does more than hold its ground in White creature strategies within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Northern Paladin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Northern Paladin offers a repeatable way to control the board. Its ability to destroy black creatures can be leveraged over multiple turns, ensuring that you keep your opponent’s threats in check and maintain superiority on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While the Paladin itself does not directly accelerate resources, its presence demands an answer from your opponent. By forcing them to allocate resources to deal with the Paladin, you potentially slow down their game plan, giving you a form of indirect resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The Northern Paladin’s destruction ability operates at instant speed, providing the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn. This keeps pressure on your adversary as they must consider the potential for their black creatures to be removed at any moment, altering their play strategies significantly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Northern Paladin requires white mana and might force you to discard other useful cards in a tight color-specific deck to meet its casting requirements.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost necessitates two white mana, which could be restrictive if your deck is multicolored or if your mana base isn’t stable.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two white, Northern Paladin might come into play later than other creatures or spells that could be more impactful early in the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Northern Paladin’s ability to remove black creatures provides a strategic edge in diverse formats, especially where such creatures dominate the board. It fits well in decks that require creature control and can be an excellent main or sideboard card for white-based decks.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Northern Paladin seamlessly integrates into combos focused on creature removal. Pairing it with cards that change creature colors or tap for white mana can lead to powerful sequences, disrupting opponent strategies efficiently.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where black creatures or decks with black as a key color are prevalent, Northern Paladin shines. Its targeted removal is crucial in maintaining board presence against decks that rely on influential black creatures.
How to beat
Northern Paladin is a classic creature that’s made its mark in MTG as a formidable white card. Its ability to destroy black creatures on command throws a wrench into any deck that heavily relies on dark forces. Given its specific focus on black, stepping around Northern Paladin’s power involves diversifying your deck. Including creatures, spells, and tactics that aren’t dependent on black mana can nullify this Paladin’s advantage.
Consider employing artifact creatures or ones that necessitate colorless mana for activation. These kinds of units don’t fall under the destruction scope of the Northern Paladin. Moreover, countering or neutralizing abilities through cards like Naturalize or Krosan Grip handle the threat at instant speed, ensuring that the Paladin doesn’t disrupt your battlefield presence.
Lastly, remember speed and precision when dealing with such threats. Utilize removal spells or force sacrifices before the Paladin can dictate the flow of combat. It’s about staying one step ahead and playing a mix of threats that extend beyond the reach of the Paladin’s sword.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Northern Paladin MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Northern Paladin 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
Printings
The Northern Paladin Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 29 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 30 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 30 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 30 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 30 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 29 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 29 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 29 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 37 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 37 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 11 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 28 | 1997 | Normal | White | Carl Critchlow | |
| 12 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 28★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 326 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Northern Paladin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |