Alaborn Trooper MTG Card

Alaborn Trooper - Portal Second Age (P02)

Portal Second Age (P02)
1998-06-24 - Number 4

Alaborn Trooper - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 2

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Power	2
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Alaborn Trooper requires minimal resource investment, enabling a quicker, adaptable presence on the battlefield.
Despite being a basic creature, it’s constrained by specific mana requirements and lacks impactful abilities.
Its synergy with soldier-themed cards and decks adds value, making it a niche yet potentially powerful choice.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Alaborn Trooper doesn’t offer direct card advantage, its reliable presence on the battlefield often requires opponents to spend resources to deal with it, leading to indirect card advantage over time as they exhaust their removal options.

Resource Acceleration: Alaborn Trooper stands as a solid creature in the early stages of the game. Costing only three mana, it’s efficiently priced for its 2/3 stats, allowing players to maintain a strong pace in developing their board without sacrificing significant mana resources.

Instant Speed: Although Alaborn Trooper is not an instant itself, its low casting cost leaves mana available for instant-speed interactions. This flexibility allows players to remain reactive during opponents’ turns after deploying the Alaborn Trooper.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With no special abilities or effects, having Alaborn Trooper in your hand can feel burdensome when deciding which cards to keep or discard during play, especially given its mediocre stats.

Specific Mana Cost: Alaborn Trooper requires one white mana, which means it’s primarily suited for mono-white or two-color decks, potentially limiting its inclusion in more diverse or color-intensive builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a 2/3 vanilla creature, Alaborn Trooper competes with other options that could provide more impact on the battlefield, casting doubt on its cost-efficiency in a game where tempo and value are key.

Reasons to Include Alaborn Trooper in Your Collection

Versatility: Alaborn Trooper makes for an excellent inclusion in decks focused on soldier synergies. Its capacity to serve as a defensive early blocker or an offensive presence with the right buffs allows it to adapt to various in-game situations effectively.

Combo Potential: With its soldier subtype, Alaborn Trooper interacts well with cards that bolster your army, such as “Captain of the Watch” or “Field Marshal.” This combination boosts your board presence and overall combat effectiveness, leveraging the Trooper’s role within a cohesive unit.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that favors aggressive white weenie strategies or soldier tribal decks, Alaborn Trooper can contribute meaningfully to your strategic setup. It provides a cost-efficient creature slot that can be enhanced through prevalent anthem effects, making it a tactical addition to your lineup.

How to Beat Alaborn Trooper

Alaborn Trooper is a simple yet solid creature card in Magic: The Gathering with the potential to bolster your defense lines. When faced with this persistent blocker, players may consider a few strategies to effectively navigate around its capabilities. Initially, it might seem like a minor threat due to its modest stats. However, it’s important not to underestimate the Trooper’s utility in the early to mid-game where it can deter attacks or serve as a stable blocker.

One straightforward method to overcome its defensive stance is by relying on removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Lightning Bolt are efficient at dispatching smaller creatures like Alaborn Trooper. Alternatively, you can outmatch it in combat using creatures with higher power and toughness. Overwhelming the battlefield with a swarm of creatures also proves to be effective, as it can only block one attacker each turn.

Lastly, consider using flying or unblockable creatures to evade Alaborn Trooper’s defense. Since it lacks reach or any form of evasion, it becomes unable to effectively block creatures that are not confined to the ground. In essence, while Alaborn Trooper can be a reliable guard for your opponent, its impact is easily diminished with direct removal, strategic creature combat, or by employing evasive tactics in your deck design.

Cards like Alaborn Trooper

Alaborn Trooper may not stand out in the vast array of creatures available in Magic: The Gathering, but its attributes can be compared to others that share its modest role in gameplay. For instance, Infantry Veteran is another card that demands one white mana. Though it offers less in combat strength, the Veteran does have the ability to boost other attacking creatures, aiding in a more tactical approach.

Another card bearing resemblance is Elite Vanguard. Despite being a one-drop like Alaborn Trooper, Elite Vanguard boasts a greater attack power, representing higher initial aggression for the same mana cost. This can be crucial in formats where tempo and early board presence are key.

In examining these creatures, it’s evident that Alaborn Trooper is part of an ecosystem where even slightly different attributes can shift a card’s role within a deck. While it may not be a centerpiece, in the right build, it can offer steadfast defensive support that others in its category might not.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alaborn Trooper MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Alaborn Trooper and other MTG cards: