Knight of the Ebon Legion MTG Card


Knight of the Ebon Legion - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire Knight
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number105
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAlex Konstad

Key Takeaways

  1. Its ability to grow without additional card cost makes it a potent and resource-saving threat.
  2. Versatility in deck building and synergy with counter strategies bolster its inclusion in various strategies.
  3. Effective removal strategies against it include non-combat spells and board wipes to prevent power scaling.

Text of card

: Knight of the Ebon Legion gets +3/+3 and gains deathtouch until end of turn. At the beginning of your end step, if a player lost 4 or more life this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Knight of the Ebon Legion. (Damage causes loss of life.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Knight of the Ebon Legion can grow stronger without expending additional cards from your hand, making it a consistent threat that demands an answer, effectively giving you an edge in card quality on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although Knight of the Ebon Legion doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its affordable mana cost allows for an efficient use of resources, enabling you to allocate mana for other spells or abilities early on.

Instant Speed: With its ability to boost its power and toughness at instant speed, the Knight becomes a formidable combatant during both your turn and your opponent’s, keeping them guessing and potentially altering the course of combat in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Knight of the Ebon Legion doesn’t force you to discard, enhancing its play value. However, in limited-resource scenarios, its ability becomes a trade-off as you might hold back other valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: With its mana cost locked into one black mana, Knight of the Ebon Legion fits perfectly into mono-black or black-centric decks but could be less flexible for multi-color decks that cannot guarantee the necessary black mana early on.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Activating the pump ability of the Knight of the Ebon Legion involves a significant investment of three mana. For those running tight on mana resources or balancing multiple threats, there might be turns where leveraging the Knight’s full potential is challenging.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Knight of the Ebon Legion can easily find a place in diverse deck builds, adapting to aggressive strategies as well as mid-range plans. Its low mana cost makes it a powerful first-turn play, while its late-game scaling continues to make it a threat.

Combo Potential: As a creature that grows with each round, it synergizes well with strategies that focus on +1/+1 counters or life loss mechanics. This creature allows for smart plays that can quickly tilt the board in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its efficiency in combat and potential for growth, Knight of the Ebon Legion remains a relevant choice in many matchups. Whether you’re facing down control decks or racing against other aggro decks, this card holds its own remarkably well.


How to beat

Knight of the Ebon Legion has gained notoriety among creature cards for its flexibility and strength in player-versus-player combat. This agile Vampire Knight wields deathtouch and the capacity to beef up when needed, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Tackling this threat requires a strategic approach, as simply engaging it in battle may not be the wisest move due to its ability to grow stronger whenever a player loses 4 or more life.

To circumvent Knight of the Ebon Legion’s strengths, consider using removal spells that do not involve combat, such as “Cast Down” or “Path to Exile”, which can dispatch the creature before it becomes too powerful. Board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can clear the board irrespective of Knight’s size, ensuring it’s removed without triggering its abilities. Enchantment-based removals, such as “Banishing Light”, can also provide a solution without having to engage in a potentially costly combat scenario.

Remember, adapting your strategy and having the right mix of removal tools in your deck can tip the scales in your favor, keeping Knight of the Ebon Legion at bay and securing your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means knowing every aspect of the cards in play. With the versatile Knight of the Ebon Legion, you’re setting a foundation for diverse, dynamic strategies that can adapt as the game progresses. Whether you’re refining an aggressive one-drop strategy or building upon those crucial +1/+1 counters, the Knight is a valuable asset in your collection. We encourage you to explore further strategies that complement the Knight’s capabilities and consider how it fits into your current deck builds. Interested in evolving your gameplay and discovering the best synergies? Dive deeper with us to refine your strategy and maximize the Knight’s potential on the battlefield.


Cards like Knight of the Ebon Legion

Knight of the Ebon Legion stands tall among its peers in the realm of one-drop creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its kinship with Vampire of the Dire Moon, which also carries the deathtouch ability, a menacing threat for any imposing creatures. Yet, the Knight differs with its potential to grow stronger via its +3/+3 activation ability, adding a dynamic edge in combat that the Vampire lacks.

Another relative within this cadre is Vicious Conquistador, which assures damage to the opponent each turn it attacks. However, it doesn’t offer the same power scaling or versatility in late game scenarios as the Knight of the Ebon Legion, which can become a formidable force if left unchecked. Adanto Vanguard presents another interesting comparison; while exhibiting resilience to damage through its indestructible ability, it misses out on the incremental power boosts that Knight of the Ebon Legion provides.

Ultimately, although there are numerous one-drops in MTG catering to various strategies, Knight of the Ebon Legion emerges as a unique asset. Its capacity for growth, along with its initial threat level, make it a noteworthy option for players looking to make an immediate and escalating impact on the game board.

Vampire of the Dire Moon - MTG Card versions
Vicious Conquistador - MTG Card versions
Adanto Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Vampire of the Dire Moon - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Vicious Conquistador - Ixalan (XLN)
Adanto Vanguard - Ixalan (XLN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Knight of the Ebon Legion 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 Knight of the Ebon Legion and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Knight of the Ebon Legion has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Knight of the Ebon Legion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2019-07-12 A player doesn’t need to have lost 4 life all at once. If a player loses 2 life twice during a turn, that player lost 4 life during that turn, and Knight of the Ebon Legion receives a +1/+1 counter.
2019-07-12 A player loses life if they pay life.
2019-07-12 It doesn’t matter whether a player has 4 or less life than they started the turn with. If a player lost 4 life but also gained 6 life, that player still lost 4 life.
2019-07-12 Knight of the Ebon Legion looks at your entire turn to determine whether a player lost 4 or more life. It doesn’t matter how many players lost 4 or more life, only whether anyone did. It also doesn’t matter whether Knight of the Ebon Legion was on the battlefield when they lost life.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks