Pardic Lancer MTG Card


Lancer’s flanking and card cycling provides dynamic play and resource adaptation in MTG matches. Its discard requirement can be a drawback, yet offers deck acceleration and potent combos. Strategically countering Pardic Lancer involves efficient removal, counterspells, and resource management.
Pardic Lancer - Torment
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Barbarian
Released2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameTorment
Set codeTOR
Power 3
Toughness 2
Number107
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJustin Sweet

Text of card

Discard a card at random from your hand: Pardic Lancer gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

He gets to the point right away.


Cards like Pardic Lancer

The Pardic Lancer occupies its unique corner in Magic: The Gathering’s red creature arsenal. When analyzing creatures with comparable effects, Viashino Sandstalker stands out for its similar haste ability, facilitating immediate impact on the battlefield. Unlike Pardic Lancer, which requires a discard to untap, the Sandstalker bounces back to hand, offering repeatable haste at the cost of redeployment.

Analogous in their penchant for aggression, the Dwarven Vigilantes provide an exciting comparison. This creature can also untap itself, albeit with a condition that ties into damaging an opponent’s creature, which constrains its application compared to the flexible discard mechanism of Pardic Lancer. Furthermore, Bloodfire Kavu presents an alternate take on red creatures’ versatility. It can’t untap like Pardic Lancer, but it can deal damage to each creature upon sacrifice, serving a different strategic purpose in a match.

In drawing parallels, Pardic Lancer offers a distinct combination of haste and reusability that is somewhat mirrored by other red creatures. However, through a lens focussed on adaptability and repeatable use, Pardic Lancer claims its unique spot in the pantheon of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Viashino Sandstalker - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Vigilantes - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Viashino Sandstalker - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Vigilantes - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pardic Lancer by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Pardic Lancer offers a strategic benefit in terms of card cycling. When the Lancer flanks an opponent’s creature, it not only weakens the opposing force but also grants you the opportunity to replace a card from your hand, keeping your resources fresh and adaptable during crucial moments in the match.

Resource Acceleration: As part of its ability, Pardic Lancer can speed up your gameplay by effectively operating as a looting mechanism. This action can help you sift through your deck more swiftly, discarding less useful cards and drawing into more powerful spells or necessary land drops to maintain a steady pace on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While the Pardic Lancer’s ability is not itself at instant speed, its synergy with instant speed spells is noteworthy. It can surprise an unprepared opponent during combat, making it an ideal card to pair with other instants in your deck, which allows you to choose the most opportune moment to unveil your strategy and potentially turn the tide of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Pardic Lancer is its need for you to discard a card. This could potentially put you at a card disadvantage, particularly detrimental when your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: Pardic Lancer’s mana cost includes two red sources, which might pose deck-building constraints, especially outside mono-red or heavily red-inclined decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its discard-triggered ability, Pardic Lancer’s total mana cost is on the steeper side, lessening its appeal compared to other creatures that provide more straightforward utility or impact on the board.


Reasons to Include Pardic Lancer in Your Collection

Versatility: Pardic Lancer offers flexible options for deck builders. Whether you’re looking to add a reliable attacker or blocker in your red-based deck, its ability to morph makes it a surprise element that can adapt to various in-game situations.

Combo Potential: This card’s morphing cost can be synergized with cards that trigger on casting creature spells or when turning a face-down creature face up, providing unexpected combo opportunities in gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG arena constantly evolves, Pardic Lancer remains significant for its potential to disrupt opponent strategies, particularly in environments where creatures with flash or instant-speed interactions are prevalent.


How to beat

Pardic Lancer brings versatility to Magic: The Gathering matches, offering players a card with flash and the ability to discard a card to untap it. The card presents certain challenges but knowing the best strategies can efficiently counter its advantages. Efficiency in your removal spells is key. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be perfectly timed to dispatch the Lancer before it has the chance to be untapped or used for blocking purposes. Additionally, take advantage of its requirement to discard as a means to exhaust your opponent’s hand, turning Pardic Lancer’s strength into a potential vulnerability.

Counterspells also serve as a solid defense against this creature. By holding up mana for counters like Mana Leak or Dovin’s Veto, you can prevent the Lancer from ever posing a threat on the board. Lastly, the high-speed nature of MTG gameplay means timing is crucial. Monitoring your opponent’s mana availability and predicting when they might deploy Pardic Lancer allows you to keep up removal or counter magic accordingly. By assessing the situation and managing your resources effectively, the Pardic Lancer can certainly be overcome in competitive play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pardic Lancer MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Pardic Lancer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pardic Lancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal