Shu Grain Caravan MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 1999-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal Three Kingdoms |
| Set code | PTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 26 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | White |
| Illustred by | Li Wang |
Text of card
When Shu Grain Caravan comes into play, you gain 2 life.
Keeping a million-man army fed was no easy task. Grain and rice caravans were the lifeblood of the empire.
Cards like Shu Grain Caravan
Shu Grain Caravan stands out in the landscape of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card reminds seasoned players of Llanowar Elves or Elvish Mystic, which are pillars for mana acceleration. Where Shu Grain Caravan differs is its higher mana value and the specialized ramp it offers for casting creatures. Unlike the Elves, which provide a generic mana, Shu Grain Caravan’s ability is tailored to help you cast creature spells more quickly.
Another card worth mentioning in relation to Shu Grain Caravan is Axebane Guardian. Both cards offer a twist on mana generation. However, while Axebane Guardian’s ability scales with the number of defenders you control, Shu Grain Caravan simplifies the process, catering exclusively to creature spells. This makes Shu Grain Caravan a more straightforward choice for decks focusing on creatures.
Moreover, there are parallels to draw with Karametra’s Acolyte, which can potentially generate large amounts of mana based on devotion to green. However, Shu Grain Caravan serves a different purpose by providing early game advantage without the requirement of a high devotion.
Ultimately, in the realm of creature-based mana acceleration within Magic: The Gathering, Shu Grain Caravan presents a unique value proposition, offering specific yet potentially impactful ramping capabilities.
Cards similar to Shu Grain Caravan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shu Grain Caravan offers a highly valuable mechanism for card draw, keeping your hand full and options open. By consorting with the crew mechanics, this card lets you reap the rewards of drawing additional cards and thus staying ahead in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: This card excels in ramping up your resources by untapping all lands you control when it attacks. This ability not only provides a significant tempo boost but also allows for casting high impact spells earlier in the game, or even double-spelling to outpace opponents.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Shu Grain Caravan synergizes well with cards of instant speed. Its untap ability can effectively refresh your mana to respond to opponents’ threats or advance your board state, keeping your strategy flexible and reactive when it counts the most.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shu Grain Caravan demands a card discard to activate its primary ability. This can deplete your hand, especially in decks that don’t favor card draw or graveyard strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both white and green mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to only those decks that can reliably produce both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its effects, there are alternative cards that may provide more impact or versatility for a similar, if not lower, investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shu Grain Caravan offers a solid role in decks looking to build advantage through creature presence and mana development. Its ability to tap for mana of any color makes it an asset in multicolored decks, facilitating critical plays and smoothing out mana curves.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can effectively ramp your mana, it opens up opportunities for powerful combination plays. Its interaction with various untap mechanics or cards that benefit from tapping creatures enhances its combo potential within the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where the board state can be as important as card advantage, Shu Grain Caravan holds its ground. It can be particularly effective in a meta that favors long games, giving you the resources to cast impactful spells while maintaining board presence with its creature type.
How to beat
Shu Grain Caravan presents an engaging chess match for players within the MTG landscape, giving a nod to the resourceful ability of the card as it offers a glimpse into the strategic depth the game possesses. Functioning both as a creature and a mana acceleration tool, this caravan poses a modest challenge. To navigate such challenges, consider incorporating removal spells in your deck that can dispatch creatures without targeting, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, to circumvent its hexproof capability against multicolored spells.
Moreover, tapping strategies that don’t target, for instance those employed by cards like Merfolk Trickster, can effectively neutralize the caravan before it becomes a conduit for mana ramping. In essence, your goal should be to either prevent it from hitting the battlefield or to ensure its stay is short-lived. Quick action and strategic planning can turn the tide, leading to a streamlined path to victory even in the presence of such resourceful opponents.
Ultimately, your own cunning and foresight are crucial in overcoming powerful and synergistic cards like Shu Grain Caravan. With the right tools and timing, you can ensure that this mobile granary does not dictate the pace of the game or the outcome of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shu Grain Caravan MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Grain Caravan and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shu Grain Caravan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |