General Jarkeld MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 1995-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ice Age |
| Set code | ICE |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 27 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Richard Thomas |
Key Takeaways
- Exchanging creatures can turn engagements into advantages by strategically altering board states.
- General Jarkeld can indirectly boost resource acceleration by controlling opponent’s creatures.
- The flexibility of using Jarkeld’s ability during specific phases adds surprise and tact.
Text of card
oc T: Switch the blocking creatures of two target attacking creatures; all defense must remain legal. Use this ability only during combat after defense is chosen and before damage is dealt.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: General Jarkeld’s ability to exchange your control of any number of creatures with control of the same number of target creatures an opponent controls can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while maximizing the value of your board state. This effectively can turn each engagement into a potential advantage by tactically selecting which creatures to trade.
Resource Acceleration: Although General Jarkeld himself doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, his unique trading ability can be used to gain control of your opponent’s mana dorks or creatures with resource-generating abilities, indirectly contributing to your resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: As a creature, General Jarkeld doesn’t have instant speed himself, but his ability can be utilized in conjunction with flash enablers or during phases of the game where creatures can be deployed. This provides flexibility in your tactics, allowing you to make pivotal decisions at crucial moments to surprise your opponent and potentially swing the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When strategizing with General Jarkeld in your deck, you must consider the additional operational cost, as activating its ability demands you to part with another card. This aspect can strain your hand, especially during games when maintaining card advantage is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: General Jarkeld requires a precise blend of mana to be cast, specifically one white and three other mana. This necessity can be restrictive and often doesn’t align seamlessly with multicolor decks or those that rely on a more diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the upper end for its capabilities, players might pause to weigh its cost-effectiveness. In instances where tempo is key, there are alternatives that could fulfill similar roles without the hefty mana investment.
Reasons to Include General Jarkeld in Your Collection
Versatility: General Jarkeld offers dynamic gameplay by enabling tactical board control. It fits seamlessly into decks focused on creature-based strategies or those looking to manipulate combat outcomes to their advantage.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that benefit from targeted combat tweaks. It can turn the tide by diverting damage or by synergizing with tap and untap mechanics to leverage each combat phase fully.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of combat-centric decks, General Jarkeld holds a position of relevance. Its ability to alter combat can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, making it a clever inclusion against creature-heavy decks or those reliant on key blockers.
How to beat
General Jarkeld is a unique piece in the dynamic puzzle of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to manipulate the battle phase by altering combat target assignments. Facing General Jarkeld can be challenging, but with the right strategy, overcoming this formidable foe is attainable. One effective method is employing cards that lock down abilities, like those with the “tapping” effect, which can prevent Jarkeld from using his ability to dictate combat outcomes.
An alternative approach could include leveraging removal spells to deal with Jarkeld before his ability becomes a factor. Quick removal spells such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can effectively eliminate Jarkeld from the battlefield, rendering his combat tricks obsolete. Additionally, counterspells are particularly formidable against Jarkeld. By countering him upon casting, you avoid dealing with his combat manipulation altogether.
Strategy is key when games involve intricate card interactions, and General Jarkeld exemplifies this. Understanding his strengths and preemptively planning your counteractions with removal, counterspells or ability suppression can tilt the tide of battle in your favor, showcasing the depth of tactical gameplay that Magic: The Gathering offers.
Cards like General Jarkeld
General Jarkeld, as a unique figure within the MTG universe, showcases intriguing abilities that allow players to manipulate combat to their advantage. He shares a likeness with cards like Odric, Master Tactician, who also grants control over combat scenarios. However, General Jarkeld’s ability to switch blocking creatures adds another layer of complexity not seen in Odric’s straightforward approach. This swapping mechanism can catch many opponents off guard, making General Jarkeld a strategic asset.
Another card worth mentioning in this context is Banding, which offers a similar protective strategy by allowing a group of creatures to band together and block an attacker. While Banding adds resilience to your defensive lines, General Jarkeld’s ability to rearrange those lines post-declaration can often be more disruptive to an opponent’s strategy. The element of surprise inherent to General Jarkeld’s skill set certainly places him in a unique tactical position within the game.
Ultimately, General Jarkeld’s place in MTG is solidified by the finesse it affords in combat. While his similarities with other cards might draw parallels, his standout ability to alter the course of combat mid-engagement renders him a uniquely potent commander on the battlefield.
Cards similar to General Jarkeld by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase General Jarkeld MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 General Jarkeld and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where General Jarkeld has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering General Jarkeld card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Does not undo any abilities which triggered due to the declaration of blockers. A creature which is switched away still has any triggered abilities resolve on it. |
| 2004-10-04 | The new blocker does not trigger any abilities which trigger on creatures becoming blockers, because the creatures were already blockers and the simple change of who is blocking does not trigger such abilities. |
