Cavalier of Gales MTG Card


Cavalier of Gales - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Elemental Knight
Abilities Flying,Scry
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number52
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byViktor Titov

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers valuable card advantage and sets up future draws with a Brainstorm-like effect on entry.
  2. Requires careful deckbuilding due to its specific mana and potential reshuffling necessity.
  3. Possesses versatility, synergizes with other strategies, and disrupts opponents well.

Text of card

Flying When Cavalier of Gales enters the battlefield, draw three cards, then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order. When Cavalier of Gales dies, shuffle it into its owner's library, then scry 2.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Cavalier of Gales enters the battlefield, it enables you to draw three cards and then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order. This clever interaction not only fills your hand with options but also strategically stacks your upcoming draws for planned plays.

Resource Acceleration: Although Cavalier of Gales doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its ability to reorder your deck can help smooth out your draws. This can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by ensuring that you draw into the lands or spells that you need to advance your board state more quickly.

Instant Speed: While Cavalier of Gales itself is not an instant, it benefits from being able to be played at the end of your opponent’s turn if brought into play through flash-enabled effects. This can leave your mana open to respond to threats or opportunities and provides a degree of unpredictability in your gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When Cavalier of Gales enters the battlefield, the brainstorm-like effect is a double-edged sword. It requires you to put two cards back on top of your library. If you’re not holding a shuffle effect or additional draw, this can lead to potential card disadvantage or delay accessing new cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this card demands a specific and somewhat demanding mana configuration—triple blue. This requirement can be challenging in multicolored decks, often restricting it to mono-blue or two-color decks with a heavy blue commitment. Without proper mana fixing, Cavalier of Gales might be stuck in your hand at crucial moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, including three blue mana, Cavalier of Gales is costly. While its abilities are potent, it competes for deck space with other impactful five-mana spells that might offer immediate board presence or cheaper alternatives for card filtering.


Reasons to Include Cavalier of Gales in Your Collection

Versatility: Cavalier of Gales brings flexibility to blue-based decks with its ability to provide card selection upon entry and shuffle the library with its death trigger. It can smooth out draws in control, tempo or combo builds.

Combo Potential: With its Brainstorm-like ability, this card interacts well with effects that care about drawing cards or putting cards from your hand on top of your library. Its interactions can fuel strategies that capitalize on such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy with creature-based strategies, Cavalier of Gales serves as a sizeable flying blocker with added benefits. Its presence can be important in games where card quality and graveyard manipulation play key roles.


How to beat

Cavalier of Gales boasts a significant presence in Magic: The Gathering decks that utilize its flying ability and Brainstorm-like effect upon entering the battlefield. Its power lies in drawing cards and setting up your next draws, potentially synergizing with various deck strategies. To counter this advantage, players should consider removal spells that can bypass the card advantage it creates. Instant speed removals, such as Murder or Vraska’s Contempt, can be particularly effective as they can be cast in response to the Cavalier’s triggered ability, mitigating the card advantage it would provide.

Additionally, countering the spell before it hits the battlefield is a foolproof strategy. Counterspells, like Negate or the more versatile Counterspell, can prevent the Cavalier from triggering its abilities altogether. Another tactic includes utilizing graveyard hate cards such as Scavenging Ooze or Leyline of the Void to disrupt strategies that might want to bring back the Cavalier from the graveyard, a common move considering its potent on-death ability. Beat this card by staying one step ahead, anticipating your opponent’s moves, and having the right answers at the right moment.

Graphing a plan against Cavalier of Gales requires foresight and precision, but with a well-constructed deck and timely responses, you can effectively negate its impact and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the dynamics of Cavalier of Gales can significantly boost your MTG gameplay. Its abilities offer both strategic advantage and challenges that must be managed wisely within your blue-centric deck. Adapt your strategy to utilize its card drawing potency, but remain aware of the specific mana demands and high casting cost. In the overarching context of your collection, embrace the versatility and potential combo opportunities this card presents. Keep refining your approach and counter tactics, and consider cards that synergize or offset its cons. Elevate your deck’s performance by integrating Cavalier of Gales effectively. Dive deeper with us and refine your mastery of MTG strategies.


Cards like Cavalier of Gales

Cavalier of Gales is an elemental powerhouse that reminds many players of the classic Sphinx of Foresight. Both cards allow players to glimpse into the future, offering card selection and potential draws, though with Cavalier of Gales, you’re actually drawing the cards and then putting two back on top of your library. Unlike the Sphinx, this Cavalier comes with the added boon of Brainstorm-like abilities upon entering the battlefield, which can dramatically alter the course of a game.

Looking further into similar cards, Mulldrifter appears as a kin spirit, flying into the battlefield with a draw-two-cards effect. What makes Cavalier of Gales stand out is its beefier body and the fact that when it dies, you’re shuffling it into your library and then scrying 2, creating recurring value not seen in Mulldrifter’s repertoire. Additionally, the Cavalier’s ability to manipulate the top of your library combines nicely with shuffle effects.

Ultimately, Cavalier of Gales commands a significant presence in any deck it’s played. Its introduction into the battlefield and departure is packed with value, positioning it as a noteworthy choice for players looking to blend hefty elemental creatures with strategic card manipulation in their Magic: The Gathering decks.

Sphinx of Foresight - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of Foresight - Ravnica Allegiance Promos (PRNA)
Mulldrifter - Lorwyn (LRW)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cavalier of Gales 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 Cavalier of Gales and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cavalier of Gales has restrictions

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

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