Soltari Crusader MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Soltari Knight |
| Abilities | Shadow |
| Released | 1997-10-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Tempest |
| Set code | TMP |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 41 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Randy Gallegos |
Text of card
Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.) o1o W: Soltari Crusader gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
"Carry war to the Dauthi, no matter the way, no matter the world." —Soltari battle chant
Cards like Soltari Crusader
Soltari Crusader has carved its niche within the realm of white and black shadow creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out with its synergy in a shadow-based aggressive strategy, paralleled by cards like Soltari Monk and Soltari Priest. While each of these carries the key shadow trait, allowing them to be unblockable except by creatures with shadow, the Crusader steps ahead with its red mana pump ability, enabling a potential increase in damage output.
Exploring further, we encounter Knight of Meadowgrain, a creature that also operates well within an aggressive strategy, and although not a shadow creature, offers a different advantage with its lifelink ability. This gives it a sustaining edge in battle, contrasting with the Crusader’s offensive maneuverability. Then there’s Dauthi Slayer, another comparable shadow creature, which automatically attacks each turn if able. While the Crusader demands tactical decisions regarding attacks, the relentless nature of the Slayer could pressure opponents more consistently.
Considering these similarities and differences helps players to strategize effectively. Soltari Crusader’s ability to potentially swing in for more damage makes it an intriguing choice for players crafting decks that leverage the shadow mechanic and strategic attack boosts in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Soltari Crusader by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Soltari Crusader is known for offering a benefit in the form of selective card draw. By enabling you to draw a card after it deals combat damage to a player, it can help you maintain momentum and potentially pull ahead of your opponent with additional resources.
Resource Acceleration: Not directly contributing to resource acceleration on its own, Soltari Crusader still complements decks geared towards mana development. It can quickly become a threat that must be dealt with, allowing your more impactful spells better chances to resolve or your ramp spells the time they need without pressure.
Instant Speed: While the creature itself doesn’t function at instant speed, it synergizes well with cards that do. A deck utilizing Soltari Crusader can be built to react swiftly and adapt during the opponent’s turn, all while having a reliable aggressor on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Soltari Crusader comes with a rider that may not always work in your favor. It requires you to pitch another card from your hand, which can set you back if you’re running short on options or crucial gameplay elements.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailored for a specific deck archetype, the mana investment for Soltari Crusader is rigid, requiring not just any color but a particular combination. This restricts its integration outside of decks that can reliably produce both white and black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the abilities it provides, the Soltari Crusader’s mana cost might appear steep compared to other creatures in the format. Savvy players might seek more economical creatures that offer a better balance between cost and power/toughness.
Reasons to Include Soltari Crusader in Your Collection
Versatility: Soltari Crusader adapts to various playstyles, fitting seamlessly into decks that capitalize on its shadow ability to avoid regular combat. This enables consistent player or planeswalker hits.
Combo Potential: With its potential to pump for increased damage, the Crusader works well with equipment and aura cards that benefit from creatures dealing combat damage. It can become a significant threat if left unchecked.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Soltari Crusader’s evasion and efficiency make it a solid choice. It thrives against decks that struggle with creatures that can’t be blocked easily.
How to beat Soltari Crusader
Soltari Crusader is a notorious threat in the realm of creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its key features lie in its shadow mechanic, which makes it virtually unblockable by conventional blockers, and its ability to get stronger against decks utilizing the color white. Facing such a card, players often find themselves needing to adapt their strategy to counteract the Crusader’s assault.
The trick to mitigating the Soltari Crusader’s impact lies in utilizing cards that don’t rely on blocking. This means leveraging instant-speed removal spells, which can target and destroy or exile the Crusader independent of its shadow ability. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are perfect examples of efficiency against the Crusader, bypassing its evasiveness. Proper timing of these spells is crucial, as it often is better to wait until the opponent commits to buffing their Crusader with spells or abilities, thereby netting a two-for-one advantage.
Board wipes are another efficient tool for handling the Crusader. Cards like Damnation or Wrath of God will clear the board irrespective of shadow, shadowing the plans of the Soltari Crusader wielder. When you establish control and exhaust your opponent’s resources, you neutralize the threat of the Crusader and pave your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soltari Crusader MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Soltari Crusader 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 Soltari Crusader has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |