Solemn Recruit MTG Card


Double Strike makes Solemn Recruit a versatile aggressor, dealing considerable damage and being a removal target. Revolt synergy enhances at instant speed, allowing strategic plays and consistent power growth. White mana commitment and competitive mana cost can impact deck construction and strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dwarf Warrior
Abilities Double strike,Revolt
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Double strike Revolt — At the beginning of your end step, if a permanent you controlled left the battlefield this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Solemn Recruit.

"I can no longer sit in my workshop and ignore the events outside. My hammers strike for the people of Ghirapur."


Cards like Solemn Recruit

Solemn Recruit is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that strengthens its presence on the battlefield through the power of the double strike ability. In looking at cards with a similar impact, Elite Inquisitor stands out, offering double strike, albeit paired with first strike and protection from vampires, zombies, and werewolves. Although Elite Inquisitor doesn’t grow in strength over time like Solemn Recruit, its protections provide immediate advantages against certain decks.

Mirran Crusader is another comparable card to Solemn Recruit, as it not only possesses double strike but also protection from green and from black, making it a powerful choice in a meta-game where those colors are prevalent. However, it lacks the ability to accrue additional +1/+1 counters, which can be crucial for long-term board presence that Solemn Recruit offers.

While each of these creatures has their merits, Solemn Recruit’s potential for growth when bolstered by other cards that support +1/+1 counter strategies can give it an edge in prolonged games. This ability to become increasingly formidable over time makes Solemn Recruit a card to watch in decks that aim to incrementally outpace the opposition.

Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Solemn Recruit by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - 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
Kitsune Palliator - 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
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - 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
Kitsune Palliator - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Solemn Recruit boasts the Double Strike ability, which allows it to deal damage twice each combat, potentially clearing multiple blockers or delivering a swift blow to an opponent’s life total. Furthermore, its ability to gain +1/+1 counters can quickly escalate the threat level, making it a magnet for the opponent’s removal spells and potentially clearing the way for your other creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, Solemn Recruit’s continuous growth through Revolt can put opponents on a faster clock. This repeated pressure can force the other player to expend resources to deal with it, effectively setting them back while you maintain tempo and board presence.

Instant Speed: The Revolt trigger of Solemn Recruit synergizes well with instant-speed interaction. Cards that enable Revolt during your opponent’s turn, through fetch lands or instant-speed removal, will immediately benefit the Recruit. This interaction allows for strategic planning during all phases of the game, giving you a responsive edge while nurturing your battlefield’s strength.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Solemn Recruit does not specifically have a discard requirement, but in a deck that relies on Delirium or Revolt mechanics, you might unwillingly have to discard cards to activate its abilities, which can leave you at a disadvantage if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Solemn Recruit’s double white mana cost could potentially be restrictive. It demands a strong commitment to white mana, which means it’s not always the perfect fit for multi-colored or mana-intensive decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two white, this creature card may compete for a spot with other low to mid-range creatures. Considering its power and toughness, there are alternatives that might offer a more immediate impact on the game for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Solemn Recruit in Your Collection

Versatility: Solemn Recruit has a place in various deck builds, finding its stride particularly in strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. As a creature that can consistently grow, it fits seamlessly into counter-centric and aggressive strategies alike.

Combo Potential: The card’s double strike ability can become lethal when paired with equipment, auras, or combat tricks that ramp up its power. This makes it a key component in decks looking to assemble potent combat combinations, doubling the damage it can inflict per turn as it grows.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with creatures and combat interaction, Solemn Recruit shines. It’s not only a formidable threat on its own but also adept at keeping pace in game states that reward incremental advantage and creature resilience.


How to beat

Solemn Recruit is a distinct creature card that brings resilience to the battlefield through its double strike ability and the potential for growth with each counter placed. A player facing off against Solemn Recruit should prioritize removing it swiftly to prevent this buildup. Direct removal spells are an efficient solution, disrupting the recruit before it becomes an overwhelming threat. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can serve as clean answers to this soldier.

Interaction during combat is another strategy, utilizing flash creatures or instant-speed tricks to catch your opponent off guard and neutralize the Recruit before counters accumulate. Counterplay is also viable, especially in the form of creature counters like Essence Scatter when the opponent casts Solemn Recruit or spells that neutralize its abilities like Frogify, reducing its impact significantly.

Managing Solemn Recruit is about timing and choosing the right moment to act. Keeping control of the board state and maintaining mana for responses when Solemn Recruit enters the fray can shift the game in your favor, highlighting the importance of anticipating and preparing for such pivotal threats in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Solemn Recruit can transform your MTG experience. Its strengths lie in its ability to escalate in power and leverage its double strike for decisive combat scenarios. Whether adding it to bolster a counter-heavy strategy or just seeking resilient creatures, Solemn Recruit offers solid advantages. Keep optimizing and learning from each duel, and discover ways to integrate such cards into your winning formula. If you’re intrigued by the strategic elements and potential combos that Solemn Recruit brings to the table, dive deeper with us. Enhance your collection and skills—join the community of dedicated MTG strategists.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Solemn Recruit MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt Promos and Aether Revolt, 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 Solemn Recruit and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Solemn Recruit Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-01-20Aether Revolt PromosPAER 22s2015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
22017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 222015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
32020-04-17Commander 2020C20 992015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
42022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7082015NormalBlackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Solemn Recruit has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-02-09 All cards in the Aether Revolt set with triggered revolt abilities use an intervening “if” clause. A permanent you controlled must have left the battlefield earlier in the turn in order for these abilities to trigger; otherwise they do nothing. In other words, there's no way to have the ability trigger if no permanent you controlled has left the battlefield that turn, even if you intend to have one do so in response to the triggered ability.
2017-02-09 Energy counters aren't permanents. Paying won't satisfy a revolt ability.
2017-02-09 Revolt abilities check only whether a permanent you controlled left the battlefield this turn or not. They don't apply multiple times if more than one permanent you controlled left the battlefield. They don't check whether the permanent that left the battlefield is still in the zone it moved to.
2017-02-09 Revolt abilities don't care why the permanent left the battlefield, who caused it to move, or where it moved to. They're equally satisfied by an artifact you sacrificed to pay a cost, a creature you controlled that was destroyed by Murder, or an enchantment you returned to your hand with Leave in the Dust.
2017-02-09 Tokens that leave the battlefield will satisfy a revolt ability.