Standing Army MTG Card

Unhinged (UNH)
2004-11-19 - Number 20

Unhinged (UNH)
2004-11-19 - Number 20★

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Power	2
Toughness	4
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Vigilant defenders like Standing Army enable strategic flexibility and consistent board control.
Mana cost and color specificity may restrict Standing Army’s deck versatility.
Standing Army’s untapping ability harmonizes with various deck combinations and meta strategies.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

As long as you're standing, Standing Army has vigilance. (Attacking doesn't cause it to tap.)

They're the chair-men of the bored.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Standing Army grants a steadfast presence on the battlefield, making it a reliable source for card advantage by consistently deterring opponents’ attacks and maintaining your defensive line.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly generate mana or additional cards, having a stable defender like Standing Army can allow you to freely commit other resources to develop your board or hand, without risking your defense.

Instant Speed: Although Standing Army doesn’t operate at instant speed, its vigilance ability ensures that it’s always ready to attack or defend, offering strategic flexibility akin to having instant-speed options at your disposal.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Standing Army has a mana cost that includes white mana, which can restrict it to decks that run white or multicolor mana bases, potentially limiting its versatility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including two white mana, Standing Army can be costly compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities. This can make it less competitive in terms of mana efficiency, particularly in the early game when mana resources are more critical.

Discard Requirement: While not directly linked to the Standing Army card itself, it’s important to be mindful of the supporting cards that may require discarding as a way to generate card advantage or trigger abilities. This could potentially lead to a loss of valuable cards needed to complement the effectiveness of Standing Army on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Standing Army in Your Collection

Versatility: Standing Army is a flexible addition to white decks that prioritize creature control. Its ability to be untapped whenever you control a Plains ensures it remains a defensive stalwart regardless of your turn structure.

Combo Potential: With its unique untapping ability, Standing Army works well with cards that reward you for having untapped creatures, or that tap opponents’ creatures – potentially leaving them unable to respond effectively to your strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ebb and flow of the competitive scene, a deck featuring reliable defenders like Standing Army can be a strong counter to aggressive strategies. Ensuring that you have steadfast protectors regardless of tapped mana can prove crucial in maintaining board presence.

How to Beat Standing Army

Standing Army is a card that allows players in Magic: The Gathering to maintain a strong defense as long as they have an untapped creature. Often seen in decks that value creatures and vigilance, it presents a challenge, but there are several strategies to counter it. Removal spells can swiftly eliminate a Standing Army from the board. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile bypass the need for combat and negate the defensive advantage the card provides.

Board wipes are another effective measure against Standing Army. Playing a Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, rendering the card’s benefits useless. For a more subtle approach, tapping down your opponent’s creatures, perhaps using cards like Sleep or Blustersquall, ensures they cannot reap the benefits of their Standing Army by having an untapped creature to boost their defense.

Deck builders should include a mix of these strategies to prepare for opposition like Standing Army. By understanding the environment and anticipating your opponent’s moves, you can outmaneuver them and gain the upper hand, ensuring your strategies remain unhampered by their defenses.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Standing Army MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged and Unhinged, 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 Standing Army and other MTG cards: