Shu Cavalry MTG Card


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

Key Takeaways

  1. Shu Cavalry offers card advantages by significantly impacting the board when deployed effectively.
  2. May require hand resource management due to its discard activation cost, adding strategic complexity.
  3. Presents a historical theme and horse synergy, providing niche deck-building opportunities for players.

Text of card

Horsemanship

In establishing the Shu kingdom, Liu Bei's forces fought against Ma Chao at Chengdu. Eventually, Ma Chao surrendered and became one of Liu Bei's Tiger Generals.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Shu Cavalry, bolster your battlefield presence by gaining a solid creature that can influence the board. This card reinforces your army and can swing the balance during matches, potentially leading to a superior card position.

Resource Acceleration: This unit’s efficiency at its cost can accelerate your game strategy. Deploying Shu Cavalry may allow for an aggressive resource strategy, enabling quicker deployment of other pivotal cards to dominate the game.

Instant Speed: Though Shu Cavalry itself isn’t an instant, its low cost and synergetic abilities can complement an instant-speed-focused deck. It allows you to develop your board while keeping mana available for reactive plays, making it a flexible option during fast-paced games.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shu Cavalry requires discarding another card as part of its activation cost. This can deplete valuable hand resources, making it potentially problematic in decks that do not have mechanisms to benefit from or mitigate the card loss.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a mana cost that includes white mana, which might not be easily splashed into a deck without proper color fixing, thus limiting its versatility across diverse MTG deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a fairly high mana cost for its body and ability, Shu Cavalry might not be the most mana-efficient creature you could play at this cost bracket, especially considering other creatures in MTG that might bring more impact to the battlefield for the same or lower investment.


Reasons to Include Shu Cavalry in Your Collection

Versatility: Shu Cavalry can be a valuable addition to decks that leverage a soldier or horse synergy. Its straightforward mana cost also allows for easy inclusion in most white-based decks, contributing to a robust defense line.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that boost the power of mounted or soldier creatures, Shu Cavalry’s effectiveness on the battlefield can increase significantly. These synergies make it an underestimated yet potent force when building around specific themes.

Meta-Relevance: In certain play environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Shu Cavalry stands out by providing a consistent creature presence. Its potential to influence the board by deterring early aggression from opponents makes it a pragmatic choice for decks aiming to establish a presence and transition smoothly into the late game.


How to beat

Shu Cavalry may come across as a rather unassuming card on the battlefield, an echo from Magic the Gathering’s historical sets. But players should not undervalue the tactical advantage it can provide. Known for its horsemanship ability, this creature ensures that only others with the same ability can block it, akin to how flying creatures operate. Nonetheless, by employing creature removal spells or effects that can bypass its horsemanship, such as board wipes or global debuffs, one can efficiently handle Shu Cavalry without direct combat.

Another effective strategy is utilizing spells that don’t target Shu Cavalry directly but still affect the battlefield, like mass exile or ‘destroy all creatures’ effects. Additionally, since Shu Cavalry requires a mono-white deck, introducing card abilities that restrict or penalize white spells or creatures can further tilt the odds in your favor. With a clear understanding of your opponent’s strategies and the right countermeasures, taking down Shu Cavalry should be a feasible task, reinforcing the classic concept in Magic the Gathering that even the most unique abilities have their Achilles’ heel.


Cards like Shu Cavalry

Exploring the ensemble of white weenie cards in Magic the Gathering, Shu Cavalry stands out with its cavalry flair, reminiscent of other horse-riding warriors in MTG’s vast catalog. Like Shu Cavalry, Benalish Cavalry is a creature that shares the same cost and power, but what differentiates them is the flavor of MTG’s historical settings, with Shu reflecting the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.

Moreso, Elite Inquisitor brings a higher rarity and more abilities to the battlefield, reflecting the natural progression and depth MTG offers in its creature types across various expansions and sets. While Elite Inquisitor boasts first strike and vigilance, Shu Cavalry maintains a simpler stance, posing as a reliable piece in decks fashioned around historical themes or the horsemanship mechanic.

Diligent comparisons within the realm of MTG’s creature cards prove Shu Cavalry’s value remains in its thematic appeal and specific deck strategies that capitalize on its unique trait. For enthusiasts of culturally rich and historically inspired gameplay, Shu Cavalry gallops steadfastly amid related options.

Benalish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Benalish Cavalry - Time Spiral (TSP)
Elite Inquisitor - Innistrad Promos (PISD)

Cards similar to Shu Cavalry by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - 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
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
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)
Steelform Sliver - Magic 2014 (M14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shu Cavalry MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition III, 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 Shu Cavalry and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shu Cavalry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Li Xiaohua.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 191997normalwhiteLi Xiaohua
22009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 231997normalblackLi Xiaohua

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shu Cavalry has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shu Cavalry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2009-10-01 Despite the similarities between horsemanship and flying, horsemanship doesn’t interact with flying or reach.

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