Sunhome Stalwart MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 26
2024-01-12 - Number 28
2024-02-23 - Number 73
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | First strike,Mentor |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
First strike Mentor (Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
"Before I let you wield one of these, let's see you dodge one!"
Cards like Sunhome Stalwart
Sunhome Stalwart earns its reputation among the variety of first strike creatures in MTG. Its kinship is closest to Elite Inquisitor, a creature also regarded for its first strike ability. While the Inquisitor boasts additional vampire and zombie control traits, Sunhome Stalwart brings the Mentor mechanic into the mix, capable of enhancing fellow creatures during combat.
Boros Challenger presents itself as another kin but steps up with the built-in flexibility to improve its own power and toughness through its pump ability. This gives it a different angle for boosting your board. Contrastingly, Sunhome Stalwart doesn’t offer self-improvement but focuses on the support role, distributing power amongst the team.
Considering the combat-centric strategies often employed in MTG, cards like Sunhome Stalwart are valued not only for their individual merit but also for their synergy with other creatures. When looking at the broader scope of cards with similar abilities, Sunhome Stalwart distinguishes itself with its ability to mentor, which in the right deck, can be a pivotal advantage.
Cards similar to Sunhome Stalwart by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sunhome Stalwart. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 44 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sunhome Stalwart offers potential card advantage through its mentor ability which can put additional +1/+1 counters on other creatures you control, effectively multiplying your resources on the battlefield without requiring additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana, Sunhome Stalwart accelerates your board presence by enhancing other creatures. This means you can develop a more formidable state earlier, representing an indirect form of resource acceleration as you’re getting more power and toughness per mana spent on other creatures.
Instant Speed: Although Sunhome Stalwart is a creature and not an instant, its impact during combat is akin to instant-speed interaction. Being able to mentor during your attack steps catches opponents off-guard as you deploy a stronger army in real-time, potentially altering combat outcomes significantly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sunhome Stalwart doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, playing it might force you to choose it over another card that you need to hold onto, potentially causing resource dilemmas.
Specific Mana Cost: Sunhome Stalwart requires a combination of red and white mana, making it less flexible for decks outside of the Boros color scheme, and potentially a challenge for mana fixing in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, the combined mana cost may seem steep when compared to other two-mana creatures with similar or better abilities and statistics.
Reasons to Include Sunhome Stalwart in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunhome Stalwart seamlessly integrates into a wide range of decks that focus on aggressive strategies or those looking to capitalize on the mentor mechanic. Its low mana cost makes it a flexible play, fitting into the curve of Boros aggro decks or any build seeking to bolster their creatures on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: With its mentor ability, this stalwart can enhance other creatures, paving the way for powerful interactions. When partnered with cards that trigger off +1/+1 counters or when attacking, Sunhome Stalwart proves to be a strategic asset that can create advantageous board states and amplify combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creatures dominate and games are decided in the early phases, Sunhome Stalwart stands out. Its quick offensive presence and the ability to grow other creatures make it a solid choice against a wide array of decks, ensuring your collection stays competitive and adaptive.
How to beat
Sunhome Stalwart makes a respected appearance on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, particularly within decks emphasizing mentor and creature buffs. This intrepid Knight lends itself well to aggressive strategies, boasting not just a solid body but the ability to bolster other creatures through its mentor ability.
Overcoming this stalwart defender is a matter of strategic removal. Efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can dispatch the Stalwart before its mentor ability becomes a recurring advantage. Control decks that focus on board wipes, such as Supreme Verdict, can also reset the board, rendering the mentor mechanic irrelevant. Ensnaring the Stalwart with enchantments or artifacts that negate its effects or prevent combat can also turn the tide, stifling the growth of the opposing forces. For those playing a long game, outpacing the mentor strategy with card advantage engines or superior late-game threats ensures that the Stalwart’s early pressure is but a footnote in an otherwise commanding victory.
Ultimately, treating Sunhome Stalwart as a priority target and countering its strengths with tactical spell use will help steer the match in your favor and showcase your mastery over the strategic intricacies of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunhome Stalwart MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Sunhome Stalwart 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 Sunhome Stalwart Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 28 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunhome Stalwart has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sunhome Stalwart card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | If the creature with mentor leaves the battlefield with mentor on the stack, use its power as that creature last existed on the battlefield to determine whether the target creature has less power. |
| 2018-10-05 | If the target creature’s power is no longer less than the attacking creature’s power as the ability resolves, mentor doesn’t add a +1/+1 counter. For example, if two 3/3 creatures with mentor attack and both mentor triggers target the same 2/2 creature, the first to resolve puts a +1/+1 counter on it and the second does nothing. |
| 2018-10-05 | Mentor compares the power of the creature with mentor with that of the target creature at two different times: once as the triggered ability is put onto the stack, and once as the triggered ability resolves. If you wish to raise a creature’s power so its mentor ability can target a bigger creature, the last chance you have to do so is during the beginning of combat step. |