Knight of the Keep MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 19
2023-06-23 - Number 291
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Knight of the Keep synergizes well with decks focused on knight and soldier archetypes, enhancing strategic depth.
- As a three-mana creature, it offers a solid board presence early, shaping the battleground in your favor.
- Despite lacking instant speed play, it necessitates reactions, indirectly tying up an opponent’s swift resources.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Knight of the Keep doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage in the traditional sense of drawing cards, but it can be a vital part of strategies that benefit from having a number of Knight or Soldier creatures on the battlefield. For decks that tunnel vision on synergies with these types, Knight of the Keep becomes an important cog in the machine.
Resource Acceleration: While the Knight of the Keep itself does not offer a means of accelerating resources, it serves as a reliable three-mana creature. Placing a solid creature on the board early can help you maintain a presence and put pressure on your opponents, forcing them to respond and potentially diverting resources they would have used for their own acceleration.
Instant Speed: Although played at sorcery speed, the Knight of the Keep can represent an immediate threat that must be dealt with. As MTG evolves with more cards and mechanics that can turn the tide of a game at instant speed, the presence of a stout creature like Knight of the Keep ensures that your opponent’s instant speed resources might be tied up, which is subtly beneficial for the rest of your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One setback for Knight of the Keep is its lack of a discard ability, which means it doesn’t provide the card advantage or graveyard synergy other creatures might offer.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires white mana exclusively, which might not always be readily available. If a player’s deck isn’t tailored to produce enough white mana, the Knight of the Keep may sit idly in hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining cost versus impact, the mana investment to get Knight of the Keep on the field is not negligible. There are numerous lower-costed creatures that could offer more utility or stronger combat presence on the battlefield, making it a potentially less efficient choice in a tightly constructed deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Knight of the Keep is flexible enough to strengthen your white decks, serving as a reliable creature in your early to mid-game strategies. Its straightforward ability to contribute to board presence makes it a staple for players building on a budget.
Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece in the traditional sense, Knight of the Keep’s heraldry can synergize with decks that capitalize on the knight’s tribal theme. It interacts well with cards that encourage a strategy around knightly valor and camaraderie.
Meta-Relevance: With many players focusing on efficient and lower-cost creatures, Knight of the Keep can be an under-the-radar addition that meshes with decks designed to outpace more cumbersome, high-cost cards. Its ease of play could disrupt opponents not expecting straightforward, yet effective, card play.
How to beat
Knight of the Keep may seem like a simple card in the grand world of Magic: The Gathering, but it offers solid value for white decks known for their knights and lore. This card holds its own with a strength and toughness of 3/2, cost-effective for its three mana, two of which are generic and one white. It’s a fine play on curve and can be a dependable creature in limited formats.
To outmaneuver Knight of the Keep, consider using removal spells or abilities that can deal with a 3/2 creature efficiently. Cards with higher toughness also serve as good blockers, potentially leading to a favorable trade. Meanwhile, control decks might employ counterspells to prevent it from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Ensuring that you have a stable board with creatures that can surpass its stats is key, as is staying vigilant for buffs that may boost the knight’s capabilities.
Avoid underestimating this stalwart knight; instead, be prepared with the right strategy and resources. When faced with Knight of the Keep, a balanced approach and well-timed tactics are your best tools to outplay and beat this card in your MTG ventures.
Cards like Knight of the Keep
Knight of the Keep is a valiant entry into the arena of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship can be traced to other white creatures of similar casting cost, like the steadfast Ardenvale Tactician. Both share a penchant for a three-mana cost, yet Knight of the Keep edges ahead with its dedication to raw power, boasting a 3/2 body over the Tactician’s 2/3.
Examining the Court Street Denizen presents another interesting comparison. Court Street Denizen may have one less power than our knight, but it offers a tactical advantage by tapping enemy creatures, a utility that Knight of the Keep does not possess. Delving into utility creatures, we have the trusted Silverflame Squire, which presents an on-demand combat trick with its adventure mechanic, a twist worth weighing against the straightforward might of our knight.
Taking these comparisons into account, Knight of the Keep stands tall among creatures with modest mana costs, notable for those seeking a sturdy and reliable force on the battlefield. Its presence embodies the essence of White’s strategy – strength and simplicity.
Cards similar to Knight of the Keep by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Knight of the Keep MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Knight of the Keep and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Knight of the Keep Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 19 | 2015 | normal | black | Bram Sels | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 291 | 2015 | normal | black | Nicholas Gregory |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Knight of the Keep has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
