Torsten, Founder of Benalia MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier
Power 7
Toughness 7

Key Takeaways

  1. Torsten’s ability to create tokens bolsters your battlefield control with each upkeep.
  2. Vigilant tokens from Torsten increase tempo and sustain offensive and defensive tactics.
  3. Though powerful, this card requires careful hand and mana resource management.

Text of card

When Torsten, Founder of Benalia enters the battlefield, reveal the top seven cards of your library. Put any number of creature and/or land cards from among them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. When Torsten dies, create seven 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Torsten Founder of Benalia’s unique ability to supply an additional creature card by generating Citizen creature tokens not only populates the battlefield but also offers a significant advantage by increasing the number of cards under your control.

Resource Acceleration: With the ability to provide vigilant tokens, Torsten helps accelerate your resources on the board. This deployment of ready-to-attack creatures can translate into faster gameplay and elevated pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: Torsten may not operate at instant speed himself, but his vigilant tokens essentially imbue you with an instant-like reaction capability during combat. This rarely-seen quality in creature tokens aligns beautifully with stratagems where speed and surprise play a pivotal role.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks is that activating its ability comes at the cost of discarding another card. For decks that run tight on resources, this could prove more harmful than beneficial, forcing players to make tough decisions about hand management.

Specific Mana Cost: With an alignment to white mana, Torsten Founder of Benalia requires a solid white mana base to be cast efficiently. This can potentially restrict deck building, as it necessitates a certain commitment to white mana producing sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a notable investment of four mana, this card may compel players to evaluate their strategy, especially when other cards at a lower mana cost might fulfill a similar role with greater efficiency in the deck’s early to mid-game progression.


Reasons to Include Torsten Founder of Benalia in Your Collection

Versatility: Torsten Founder of Benalia extends its power well beyond mono-white deck boundaries. Its ability to create a vigilant Knight token during each upkeep not only fortifies your battlefield presence but also works seamlessly with token synergy and vigilance strategies.

Combo Potential: The legendary creature from Dominaria united, known for its commanding aura, serves as a linchpin in decks that capitalize on token generation. Its innate ability to populate the board with tokens opens doors for numerous combos, particularly in conjunction with cards that benefit from creature summons or sacrifices.

Meta-Relevance: Given the popularity of creature-based strategies in the ever-evolving game meta, Torsten Founder of Benalia holds its ground by providing consistent token generation. This MTG card can disrupt opponent plans by continually supplying blockers or attackers each turn, keeping you relevant in diverse gameplay situations.


How to Beat

Torsten, Founder of Benalia, has quickly become a recognizable presence in competitive decks. This powerful card boasts abilities that make it a formidable opponent on the battlefield, but it isn’t without its weaknesses. Overcoming Torsten requires a smart strategy that targets its strengths head-on. Removal spells are a player’s best friend against Torsten, as they can get him off the board before his abilities have a lasting impact. Cards with exile effects, such as Path to Exile, are particularly effective since they prevent Torsten from hitting the graveyard and triggering potential on-death effects.

Control decks can also hold the key to subverting Torsten’s advantages. Counterspells stop him from entering the battlefield in the first place, making them a preferred choice for many players. Additionally, board wipes can be used after Torsten has summoned his loyal Knights, effectively clearing the field and neutralizing the threat he poses. Sweepers like Wrath of God can thus swing the game in your favor.

Finally, considering the mana investment needed to summon Torsten, capitalizing on this by maintaining mana efficiency and building a presence on the board quickly can be all it takes to surpass him. By staying one step ahead and employing these tactics, players can beat Torsten, Founder of Benalia, and pave their way to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of each MTG card is crucial to formulating winning strategies. Torsten, Founder of Benalia, is a card that demands a nuanced approach to deck building and gameplay. With its ability to consistently populate the battlefield, it offers a robust advantage when used effectively. The trade-offs of deck flexibility and mana management are also defining factors in harnessing its potential. For those looking to deepen their MTG knowledge and refine their approach with Torsten, delve into the insights and strategies that can turn your deck into a formidable assembly. Learn more about optimizing your gameplay with us.


Cards like Torsten, Founder of Benalia

Torsten, Founder of Benalia is a unique card in MTG, aligning with other legendary creatures that bolster your troops. Comparable to Adriana, Captain of the Guard, Torsten also provides a significant advantage to creature-centric strategies. Where Adriana provides a melee benefit that increases the power of attacking creatures based on the number of opponents you’re attacking, Torsten offers a lasting presence by creating Human Soldier tokens when nontoken creatures you control die.

The card also beckons comparison to Hero of Precinct One, which grants you a Human token whenever you cast a multicolored spell. Torsten diverges by not being dependent on casting spells of a certain type but rather on the battlefield status. Another parallel is to Sigardian Savior, which favors more aggressive tactics by potentially reviving multiple creatures upon entering the battlefield. Torsten, on the other hand, prepares for the future with a consistent stream of tokens, adding to your board presence turn after turn.

Throughout these comparisons, it’s evident that Torsten carves out a niche in MTG as a leader capable of perpetuating your army’s strength and resilience, a trait that keeps your side ever formidable in the ongoing battle of wits and strategy.

Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions
Hero of Precinct One - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions
Hero of Precinct One - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Torsten, Founder of Benalia MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Commander and Dominaria United Commander, 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 Torsten, Founder of Benalia and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Torsten, Founder of Benalia Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 692015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa
22022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 472015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Torsten, Founder of Benalia has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal