Conqueror's Pledge MTG Card


Conqueror's Pledge - Zendikar
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Abilities Kicker
Released2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar
Set codeZEN
Number8
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byKev Walker

Key Takeaways

  1. The card’s ability to summon up to six tokens can substantially increase your board presence with a single play.
  2. It perfectly complements decks geared towards token generation or those using creatures to accelerate resources.
  3. However, its specific and high mana costs may limit its integration into multi-colored or faster decks.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Put six 1/1 white Kor Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield. If Conqueror's Pledge was kicked, put twelve of those tokens onto the battlefield instead.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Conqueror’s Pledge vastly increases your battlefield presence by introducing up to six creature tokens, providing substantial card advantage through a single cast.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to create multiple creature tokens not only gives you blockers or attackers but also potential ramp if combined with cards that convert creatures into mana or benefit from a high creature count.

Instant Speed: While Conqueror’s Pledge is a sorcery, it synergizes well with instant-speed effects that manipulate token generation or benefit from a surge in creature count during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Conqueror’s Pledge demands a heavy commitment to white mana, requiring three white sources to cast. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks and may not always fit smoothly into your mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana to summon the knights onto the battlefield, this card is relatively expensive, especially when considering that it occupies a slot where players could cast game-ending threats or impactful board sweeps. Adequate preparation and a stable mana base are required to make the most of its potential.

Discard Requirement: Although Conqueror’s Pledge does not directly necessitate discarding cards, the substantial mana cost can pressure players into deciding whether to commit their turn to the spell or keep it for other actions, which in some cases acts akin to a trade-off or a discard in terms of resource allocation.


Reasons to Include Conqueror’s Pledge in Your Collection

Versatility: Conqueror’s Pledge is a powerful addition to any white deck that thrives on creating a wide board presence. With the ability to immediately deploy an army of creature tokens, it can serve various roles from defense to enabling swarm strategies.

Combo Potential: This card excellently synergizes with effects that boost the strength of your creatures or benefit from having many creatures entering the battlefield simultaneously. Whether it’s powering up an “Overrun” play or triggering “Soul Warden” for life gain, the combo potential is significant.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where token strategies are prominent, Conqueror’s Pledge holds its ground. Against control opponents, it can replenish the board post-wipe, and it also stacks well in environments where cards that capitalize on quantity of creatures give a strategic edge.


How to beat

Understanding the nuances of Conqueror’s Pledge can be pivotal to gaining an edge in MTG gameplay. Essentially, it’s a formidable white spell enabling players to flood the battlefield with tokens. By itself, it exemplifies the strength in numbers strategy, creating a potentially overwhelming force. This card’s power is undeniably potent and requires a tailored approach to counteract effectively.

To disrupt your opponent’s plans with Conqueror’s Pledge, it’s crucial to include board wipe spells or those that can negate its token-generating effect. Counterspells or discard mechanics can prevent Conqueror’s Pledge from hitting the table, and once the tokens are in play, spells like Wrath of God or Doomskar can clear the board, resetting the advantage. Moreover, continuous control mechanisms such as Icy Manipulator, or repetitive removal options like Pestilence, can keep the tokens in check. Lastly, employing anti-token enchantments such as Illness in the Ranks or Virulent Plague can swiftly render the tokens ineffective.

The key to success lies in anticipation and strategizing proper responses to Conqueror’s Pledge. By aligning your deck with adequate countermeasures, you can mitigate the impact of this white sorcery spell and maintain the upper hand in your MTG duels.


Cards like Conqueror's Pledge

Conqueror’s Pledge is a unique entrant in the world of token-generating spells within Magic: The Gathering. This card is reminiscent of Secure the Wastes, which also allows players to create a multitude of creatures for a flexible mana cost. Though Secure the Wastes offers versatility with its instant speed capability, Conqueror’s Pledge distinguishes itself by consistently deploying six creature tokens or potentially doubling up with its kicker ability.

When considering parallel effects, March of the Multitudes stands out with its instant speed and convoking a potentially massive quantity of tokens, adapting to the vastness of your army. Conqueror’s Pledge doesn’t share the same fluidity, as it’s restricted to sorcery speed and has a set number of tokens without a board presence. Nonetheless, the kicker option embedded in Conqueror’s Pledge grants it the power surge in the late game to tilt duels in your favor.

In sum, while other cards like Secure the Wastes and March of the Multitudes offer similar token production, Conqueror’s Pledge holds its ground in MTG for its potential to flood the battlefield with a simple cast or kick up the intensity for a grander assembly.

Secure the Wastes - MTG Card versions
March of the Multitudes - MTG Card versions
Secure the Wastes - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
March of the Multitudes - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)

Cards similar to Conqueror's Pledge by color, type and mana cost

Purify - MTG Card versions
Global Ruin - MTG Card versions
Rout - MTG Card versions
March of Souls - MTG Card versions
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - MTG Card versions
Slash the Ranks - MTG Card versions
Promise of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Saltblast - MTG Card versions
Three Dreams - MTG Card versions
Evangelize - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Burial - MTG Card versions
Iona's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Increasing Devotion - MTG Card versions
Defy Death - MTG Card versions
Angelic Edict - MTG Card versions
End Hostilities - MTG Card versions
Fell the Mighty - MTG Card versions
Winds of Rath - MTG Card versions
Planar Outburst - MTG Card versions
Righteous Confluence - MTG Card versions
Purify - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Global Ruin - Invasion (INV)
Rout - Commander 2021 (C21)
March of Souls - Planeshift (PLS)
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Slash the Ranks - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Promise of Loyalty - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Saltblast - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Three Dreams - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Evangelize - Time Spiral (TSP)
Hallowed Burial - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Iona's Judgment - Commander Legends (CMR)
Increasing Devotion - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Defy Death - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Angelic Edict - Jumpstart (JMP)
End Hostilities - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Fell the Mighty - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Winds of Rath - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Planar Outburst - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Righteous Confluence - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Conqueror's Pledge MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Conqueror's Pledge and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Conqueror's Pledge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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