Tilonalli's Knight MTG Card

Tilonalli’s Knight trades well, indirectly aiding in card advantage by making opponents use more resources. With a low mana cost, it allows for faster board development and saves mana for later turns. The Enrage mechanic synergizes with instant-speed spells to create impactful game moments.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Knight
Released	2017-09-29
Set symbol
Set name	Ixalan
Set code	XLN
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	169
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lius Lasahido

Text of card

Whenever Tilonalli's Knight attacks, if you control a Dinosaur, Tilonalli's Knight gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

The people of the Sun Empire worship the sun in three aspects. Tilonalli is the Burning Sun, associated with ferocity, fire, and passion.

Cards like Tilonalli's Knight

Tilonalli’s Knight is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, sharing some space with other cards that benefit from a prowess-like trigger. This card favors aggressive decks much like Swiftspear Monastery, which is known for its prowess ability that temporarily boosts its power. Unlike Monastery Swiftspear, Tilonalli’s Knight requires a specific trigger of a dinosaur being cast to get its +1/+1 until end of turn and lacks the instant spell synergy.

Another card with a similar flavor is Fervent Champion. Both cards cater to an aggressive playstyle, with the Champion offering an additional boost when it attacks with other Knights. While Tilonalli’s Knight carries potential in a dinosaur-centric deck, it doesn’t provide the repeated and broader synergies that Fervent Champion offers with any Knight or equipment.

Mainstays in the one-drop slot such as Goblin Guide provide a different kind of value. While Tilonalli’s Knight comes with the potential for a power increase, Goblin Guide offers consistent pressure with its hasty attacks from turn one. Each of these creatures has its own role in aggressive decks, proving that Tilonalli’s Knight has a place in red creature strategies that revolve around dinosaur synergies and beatdown tactics.

Cards similar to Tilonalli's Knight by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Tilonalli’s Knight itself does not inherently provide card advantage, its aggressive nature can force opponents to use multiple resources to deal with it, indirectly contributing to your card advantage by trading up.

Resource Acceleration: Tilonalli’s Knight may not offer direct mana acceleration, yet its low casting cost makes it a quick play, allowing you to develop your board presence rapidly while saving mana for other strategic plays later in the turn.

Instant Speed: Tilonalli’s Knight acts at sorcery speed, but its Enrage mechanic can pair well with instant-speed spells that you control to trigger beneficial effects, effectively integrating with instant-speed dynamics in a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tilonalli’s Knight doesn’t require discard as an explicit cost of casting but being a part of an aggressive strategy often leads players to run out of cards in hand, making each draw critical to maintaining pressure on the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Tilonalli’s Knight costs one red mana and one generic mana, making it restrictive for multi-colored decks that might struggle with the right mana availability on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only two mana may seem efficient, in a fast-paced meta, there are other one-drop creatures that can have an immediate impact on the game or have abilities that provide better value over time.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tilonalli’s Knight can seamlessly slide into myriad red deck builds, especially those looking to capitalize on the prowess of quick, aggressive creatures.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives in synergy with cards that prompt +1/+1 counters. Utilize Tilonalli’s Knight in combinations that bolster its power for each attacking creature or spells that trigger on attack.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that values speed, Tilonalli’s Knight proves its worth by providing an early threat that can grow rapidly, making it a significant player against slower deck tempos.

How to beat Tilonalli’s Knight

Tilonalli’s Knight presents itself as an aggressive component in red deck variations within Magic: The Gathering. Bearing the hallmark of red’s haste and prowess, this card specializes in delivering quick, amplified damage, particularly when other dinosaurs join the fray. Challenges, however, can be navigated through creature control and strategic blockades.

Key tactics involve deploying creatures with superior toughness to withstand Tilonalli’s Knight’s assault, or utilizing removal spells before the Knight’s prowess can be fully realized on the battlefield. A myriad of instant spells offer efficient solutions such as Shock or Fatal Push, rendering the creature advantage moot. Additionally, enchantments like Pacifism can effectively neutralize its combat potential without necessitating direct removal.

Ultimately, while Tilonalli’s Knight is capable of quickly escalating threats, a calm, calculated response will easily curtail its effectiveness. Spell choices that complement your existing deck strategy while disrupting your opponent’s momentum are essential to triumph over this fiery adversary.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tilonalli's Knight MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Tilonalli's Knight and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tilonalli's Knight has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2017-09-29	If you don’t control a Dinosaur as Tilonalli’s Knight attacks, its ability won’t trigger at all. If you don’t control a Dinosaur as the ability of Tilonalli’s Knight resolves, that ability has no effect.
2017-09-29	Once the ability of Tilonalli’s Knight resolves while you control one or more Dinosaurs, Tilonalli’s Knight gets +1/+1 for the rest of the turn even if you no longer control a Dinosaur later in the turn.