Stalwart Valkyrie MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 31
2022-12-02 - Number 249
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Angel Warrior |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
You may pay and exile a creature card from your graveyard rather than pay this spell's mana cost. Flying
"Only the worthy may pass."
Cards like Stalwart Valkyrie
Stalwart Valkyrie is a card that defines efficiency in the world of Magic: The Gathering skies, mirrored by creatures like Empyrean Eagle. However, the Valkyrie shines by offering a discounted casting condition that can accelerate its entrance onto the battlefield. Conversely, Empyrean Eagle demands the full mana cost but rewards players with an aura that buffs other flyers. Spotlighting value, Squadron Hawk delivers a different angle by supplying card advantage, retrieving other hawks from your deck, albeit with less immediate board impact than the landfall-empowered Valkyrie.
Inspecting the stats, we find Bygone Bishop, which boasts a similar mana cost and also rewards players whenever they cast small creatures. However, the Valkyrie’s potential to dominate the airspace sooner can be a game-changer. Then there’s Serra Angel, a classic flyer with vigilance, exemplifying the balance of cost to power. While Serra Angel stands as a stalwart, the distinct advantage for Stalwart Valkyrie is the potential to swoop in early, possibly changing the complexion of aerial combat considerably ahead of curve.
All things considered, Stalwart Valkyrie offers a compelling choice for deckbuilders seeking an early powerful presence in the skies, one that comes at a potential tempo advantage over others in its class. Its harmony of cost and capability positions it intriguingly within MTG aerial warfare dynamics.
Cards similar to Stalwart Valkyrie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stalwart Valkyrie potentially enables card advantage as it allows you to cast it for a reduced alternative cost. This can effectively transform a card from your hand into a creature on the battlefield, while still maintaining a full grip of cards to stay ahead.
Resource Acceleration: Stalwart Valkyrie contributes to resource acceleration by offering an efficient way to utilize cards in your graveyard. Exiling a creature card with a lesser mana value from your graveyard rather than paying the Valkyrie’s full cost can put you a step ahead in deploying more potent threats earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: While Stalwart Valkyrie itself does not operate at instant speed, its advantageous casting cost can free up mana. This leaves you more resources to cast other spells at instant speed, effectively increasing the flexibility and responsiveness of your playstyle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One hurdle players may face with Stalwart Valkyrie is its requirement to discard another card from your hand in order to leverage its alternate casting cost. This prerequisite can backfire especially when your hand is sparse or if the discarded card is pivotal to your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This celestial being demands a very specific mana composition for its normal casting cost, swirling only in the pools of white mana. Such a stringent mana requirement can potentially hinder deck flexibility, relegating this card primarily to mono-white or decks heavily skewed towards white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When not leveraging its alternate casting cost, Stalwart Valkyrie’s regular mana cost sits at a modest but notable four mana which includes double white mana. In today’s fast-paced game, this cost is considered relatively steep for a creature that brings 3/2 stats to the table without any immediate board impact or protective abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stalwart Valkyrie can be a flexible addition to any deck focusing on creature synergies or one that needs a strong flying presence. Its ability to hit the board early through its alternate casting cost makes it a solid play in both aggressive and midrange strategies.
Combo Potential: Leveraging its casting cost reduction, Stalwart Valkyrie works well with graveyard manipulation or sacrifice mechanics. This opens up combo avenues in decks that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: With a body that can stand up to many popular threats, Stalwart Valkyrie can hold its own in a variety of matchups. In a meta with a significant presence of decks with smaller creatures, it serves as a formidable aerial blocker or an aggressive airborne threat.
How to beat
The Stalwart Valkyrie poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, especially considering its potential to hit the board as early as turn two. With its ability to consider a card from your hand as mana of any color through its boast mechanic, this creature can take to the skies swiftly. However, challenging the Stalwart Valkyrie is a matter of strategy and understanding its limitations.
Consider removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push to address the Valkyrie effectively. These spells offer a solution at a low mana cost. The Valkyrie is also vulnerable to cards that neutralize flying creatures. Spells like Plummet or cards with reach grant defenders a crucial advantage. Additionally, since the Valkyrie relies on other cards being exiled to decrease its casting cost, graveyard interaction can disrupt its efficient deployment. It is essential to stay ahead of these strategic advantages, ensuring that the Valkyrie does not become an obstacle too great to surmount.
Ultimately, understanding the mechanics and potential counters available within Magic: The Gathering can turn the tide against cards like the Stalwart Valkyrie. The key lies in deploying timely counterplays and maintaining control of the board state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stalwart Valkyrie MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Stalwart Valkyrie and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Stalwart Valkyrie Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 31 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 249 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stalwart Valkyrie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stalwart Valkyrie card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | Casting Stalwart Valkyrie for its alternative cost doesn’t change when you can cast it. |
| 2021-02-05 | Once you announce that you’re casting Stalwart Valkyrie using its alternative cost, no player may take other actions until the spell’s been paid for. Notably, players can’t try to remove creature cards from your graveyard to stop you from casting the spell. |
| 2021-02-05 | Stalwart Valkyrie has converted mana cost 4, no matter what you actually paid to cast it. |