Shu Soldier-Farmers MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 27
2009-09-07 - Number 26
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Shu Soldier-Farmers comes into play, you gain 4 life.
During Kongming's campaigns against the Wei, his Shu troops rotated from the battlefront to the fields every hundred days.
Cards like Shu Soldier-Farmers
Shu Soldier-Farmers brings versatility to decks in Magic: The Gathering much like other utility creatures in the game. This card reminds seasoned players of cards like Sakura-Tribe Elder, which provides land acceleration by sacrificing itself to search for a basic land card. The Shu Soldier-Farmers doesn’t ramp in the same way but offers a rebuilding mechanism post-combat that can be valuable in the long game.
Steadfast Guard is another card that shares some traits with Shu Soldier-Farmers. Both units come with vigilance and a cost-effective stat line, suited for early board presence. Nevertheless, the Soldier-Farmers feature an additional late-game advantage with its ability, making it a potentially stronger pick for games expected to stretch into numerous turns. Meanwhile, Palladium Myr stands out for its mana acceleration capability, providing two mana of any one color. It doesn’t offer the board presence or the direct combat application that Shu Soldier-Farmers does, but can be crucial for advancing game state by unlocking powerful plays earlier.
When evaluating the utility and adaptability of creatures within the game, Shu Soldier-Farmers poses an intriguing option that balances early defense with value generation over time, marking its own niche in the wide array of creatures available to MTG deck builders.
Cards similar to Shu Soldier-Farmers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shu Soldier-Farmers can offer a significant edge by potentially drawing cards when farming tokens are created, aligning well with grid-based strategies and keeping your hand stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: Their ability to churn out farmer tokens can be equated to a form of resource acceleration, providing fodder for various synergies and interactions, or even just contributing to the fortification of your board state.
Instant Speed: One of the key advantages of Shu Soldier-Farmers lies in its tactical deployment at instant speed, allowing savvy players to wait for the opportune moment or end step to commit to a course of action, thereby maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Shu Soldier-Farmers card presents a drawback as it necessitates discarding another card to unlock certain abilities. This discard mechanic can put you at a card disadvantage, a situation you’d want to avoid, especially when your hand is already running thin on options.
Specific Mana Cost: Another limiting factor is the card’s reliance on a precise mana configuration. Dedicated to a green and white mana cost, it requires a certain level of commitment to these colors in your deck construction, potentially constraining your deck’s flexibility and creativity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, the cost of deploying Shu Soldier-Farmers onto the battlefield is on the steeper side. Given the investment, players may opt for alternative creatures or spells that provide more immediate or impactful benefits for the same, or even lower, mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shu Soldier-Farmers card is a flexible addition, easily fitting into decks that revolve around creature strategies or those looking to capitalize on soldier synergies. Its ability to bolster your board presence makes it a viable pick in multiple game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with effects that benefit from having a high count of creatures on the battlefield, such as those that enhance attack power or provide additional benefits each time a creature enters the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a game meta that emphasizes resilience and incremental advantage, Shu Soldier-Farmers provides a steady stream of creature tokens, making it a potent card against control decks or in a battle of attrition.
How to beat
Shu Soldier-Farmers present an interesting dynamic in the landscape of creatures within Magic: The Gathering. With their capacity to boost strength when partnered with other creatures, they exemplify the core strategy of playing with a wide battlefield. Overcoming this card requires a careful approach. Control the number of creatures on your opponent’s side, employing board wipes like Wrath of God, to reset their buildup. Targeted removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile also serves to manage this threat before it becomes overwhelming.
Moreover, prevention plays a critical role. Counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can stop Shu Soldier-Farmers from hitting the battlefield altogether, maintaining the advantage on your side. It’s also worth considering the use of bounce spells like Unsummon to disrupt synergy among the opponent’s creatures, diluting the power Shu Soldier-Farmers can accumulate. In essence, maintaining board control and disrupting your foe’s plans are the keys to neutralizing the potential of Shu Soldier-Farmers in your MTG matches.
By understanding the mechanics of Shu Soldier-Farmers and implementing a strategy that keeps your opponent’s board presence in check, you can mitigate the impact of these robust common soldiers and maintain the upper hand in your duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shu Soldier-Farmers 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 Soldier-Farmers 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
Printings
The Shu Soldier-Farmers Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Li Xiaohua.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 27 | 1997 | Normal | White | Li Xiaohua | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 26 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Li Xiaohua |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shu Soldier-Farmers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |