Battalion Foot Soldier MTG Card


Battalion Foot Soldier - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number7
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCristi Balanescu

Key Takeaways

  1. Thins deck by fetching cards with the same name, enhancing draw quality.
  2. Supports soldier and human synergies, accelerating your strategic plays.
  3. Versatility makes it a solid choice in various MTG deck types.

Text of card

When Battalion Foot Soldier enters the battlefield, you may search your library for any number of cards named Battalion Foot Soldier, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle your library.

"With me! Break this line and the rest will fall!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Battalion Foot Soldier provides a notable advantage when you’re looking to broaden your battlefield presence. Upon casting, this card allows you to search your library for any number of cards with the same name, effectively thinning your deck and increasing the likelihood of drawing impactful spells in subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that focus on synergies with soldiers or humans, the Battalion Foot Soldier can be a stepping-stone towards accelerated plays. While it doesn’t directly generate mana or treasure, the card’s ability to fetch additional copies from your deck can fuel cards and effects that benefit from having multiple creatures enter the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Although Battalion Foot Soldier itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it supports strategies that do. By providing multiple creatures with a single cast, it complements your instant speed spells and effects by establishing a board presence that your opponent must consider even during their own turn, thus keeping them on high alert and potentially forcing them to act preemptively or hesitantly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike cards that allow you to maintain a full grip, Battalion Foot Soldier might leave you in a tight spot. You might find yourself discarding valuable pieces of your strategy to fuel its ability, which could hinder your game progress, especially when resources are scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: Battalion Foot Soldier demands certain mana types, which can be restrictive. These requirements may necessitate an adjustment of your land base or limit the card’s inclusion to specific color-centric decks, making it less flexible for diverse deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side for its effect, there are alternatives in MTG that may offer a better cost-to-impact ratio. Players often look for efficiency in their card choices, and Battalion Foot Soldier might not always make the cut when there are cards with similar functions at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Battalion Foot Soldier in Your Collection

Versatility: Battalion Foot Soldier may seem straightforward, but its simplicity makes it adaptable in various deck types. In decks centered around synergistic soldier tribes, this card can shine by bringing friends to the battlefield for a formidable presence.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that reward you for summoning creatures or playing creatures with the same name, Battalion Foot Soldier can be part of a compelling engine. Its ability to fetch copies of itself from your deck can be used to great effect in the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s ever-changing, having reliable core set cards can be key. As the meta shifts, cards like Battalion Foot Soldier are valued for their stability and the foundational roles they play in standard rotation, which involves a lot of creature-based combat and synergy-focused play.


How to beat

Battalion Foot Soldier may seem like a straightforward creature in MTG, but its true strength lies in its ability to swarm the battlefield when played smartly. As a card that searches for copies of itself when it enters the battlefield, a player facing the foot soldiers must be savvy in handling multiples of these creatures at once. Solid removal spells that can clear several creatures for a low cost are your best option. A card like “Ritual of Soot” provides an effective counter, wiping clean all creatures of converted mana cost 3 or less.

Utilize cards with the “Deathtouch” ability to deter swarming, turning each block into a favorable trade in your direction. Alternatively, combat tricks that boost your creatures or direct damage spells that can pick off Foot Soldiers before the battlefield gets out of control are key strategies. Enhancing your deck’s resilience against such swarming tactics and considering sideboard options for these scenarios will help keep the foot soldiers at bay, without letting them dictate the pace of the match. Packing your deck with these countermeasures will help ensure you’re not overrun by these synergistic soliders.


Cards like Battalion Foot Soldier

Battalion Foot Soldier is a card that offers an interesting dynamic in creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Reminiscent of cards like Squadron Hawk, Battalion Foot Soldier allows you to search your library for any number of cards with the same name, effectively thinning your deck and increasing the likelihood of drawing into non-creature spells. Squadron Hawk flaunts a similar ability but flies above the battlefield, offering an aerial advantage.

Another comparable unit is Precinct Captain, which, despite not providing the deck-thinning benefit, creates additional 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This attribute augments your forces and poses a different kind of threat on the battlefield. Legion Conquistador follows the same deck-thinning path but brings versatility in its mana cost, allowing for different play styles and strategic planning.

Considering these elements, Battalion Foot Soldier can be a tactical choice for players leveraging the power of numbers and consistency within their MTG gameplay. It may not furnish direct battlefield control like Precinct Captain or the aerial capacity of Squadron Hawk, but it holds its own with its unique library-searching capability.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Precinct Captain - MTG Card versions
Legion Conquistador - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Precinct Captain - MTG Card versions
Legion Conquistador - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Battalion Foot Soldier MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Battalion Foot Soldier and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Battalion Foot Soldier has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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