Kjeldoran Javelineer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Abilities	Cumulative upkeep
Released	2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set name	Coldsnap
Set code	CSP
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	11
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Key Takeaways

Kjeldoran Javelineer ensures longevity and tactical advantage by inflicting damage while conserving hand resources.
Its instant-speed ability grants players control to shape the battlefield dynamically.
Despite certain limitations, it offers solid defense and combo potential in a control-oriented deck.

Text of card

Cumulative upkeep (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.) : Kjeldoran Javelineer deals damage to target attacking or blocking creature equal to the number of age counters on Kjeldoran Javelineer.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gain an edge with Kjeldoran Javelineer as it can repeatedly deal damage without spending additional cards. This repeatable effect helps you maintain board presence while conserving cards in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: The Kjeldoran Javelineer may not directly accelerate your resources, but by keeping opponent creatures at bay, it allows your more pivotal resource generators to operate without hindrance, effectively saving you mana and preserving your life total to deploy your strategy.

Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage at instant speed gives Kjeldoran Javelineer tactical flexibility. Respond to threats in real-time or strategically remove blockers or attackers during the combat phase, shaping the course of the game on your terms.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kjeldoran Javelineer doesn’t require you to discard cards, but its ability to tap and deal damage is dependent on the removal of Javelin counter, which is a one-time use and can leave you with a less effective creature afterwards.

Specific Mana Cost: The Kjeldoran Javelineer requires white mana to cast. For players running a multicolor deck, this could pose restrictions and may cause the card to be a dead draw if the necessary mana isn’t available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Javelineer is not excessively costly, there are scenarios where you might opt for lower mana cost creatures that offer more immediate board presence or creatures with reusable abilities that may contribute more to your strategy over time.

Reasons to Include Kjeldoran Javelineer in Your Collection

Versatility: Kjeldoran Javelineer’s unique ability to deal damage to attacking or blocking creatures adds a level of flexibility to your defense strategies. Its capacity to fit into various deck builds, particularly ones that leverage tapping and untapping creatures, makes it a smart addition to your arsenal.

Combo Potential: This card works well within decks focusing on damage prevention and redirection. Its strength can be magnified with cards that increase its power or untap it, giving you more opportunities to utilize its ability and support intricate combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive, creature-heavy strategies prevail, the Kjeldoran Javelineer can serve as a reliable line of defense. Its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking and provide ongoing control to influence the board state in your favor.

How to beat

Kjeldoran Javelineer stands out in the pantheon of early defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering, notable for its ability to deal damage to attacking creatures without tapping. This unique feature creates a deterring effect, warding off early aggressive plays. However, surpassing the Javelineer’s defense isn’t insurmountable. To effectively overpower this card, consider adopting strategies that circumvent direct combat. Spells that enchant or target creatures without requiring attacks, such as Pacifism or Removal spells like Doom Blade, can neutralize it without triggering its ability.

Additionally, one might utilize flying creatures that the Javelineer can’t directly harm, as its ability is limited to targeting attackers with flying. Moreover, overpowering it with creatures that have high toughness can nullify its damage-dealing capability. In a broader scope, playing around its one-time damage prevention feature and exploiting its lower toughness can also lead to success. Deploying a strategy that involves forcing multiple blocks or using combat tricks can quickly render the Javelineer obsolete on the battlefield.

Ultimately, while the Kjeldoran Javelineer provides a sturdy early-game obstacle, a tailored approach that emphasizes tactical removal, evasion, or overwhelming force can assure victory against it during matches.

Cards like Kjeldoran Javelineer

The Kjeldoran Javelineer is an interesting piece within the pool of early game creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears comparison to other one-mana creatures such as the Savannah Lions, a classic creature that boasts a powerful two power for one white mana. Unlike these aggressive one-drops, the Javelineer prioritizes a defensive role, allowing you to toss javelins, or +1/+1 counters, to deal damage without engaging in combat.

Another card worth comparing is the Elite Vanguard. It follows the ideology of Savannah Lions with a straightforward approach of two power for one white mana. The Kjeldoran Javelineer, however, brings a tactical edge to the battlefield. It might have just one power, but its ability to deal direct damage gives it an additional dimension of utility. Then there’s the Benalish Veteran, which also thrives on attacking but gets stronger each time. Despite the potential for higher power, the Javelineer excels in its flexibility to strike without the perils of the red zone.

Looking closely at these options, the Kjeldoran Javelineer offers a unique playstyle. It’s not just another creature; it’s a facilitator for control strategies, allowing you to manage the board state while supporting a long-term game plan.

Cards similar to Kjeldoran Javelineer by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kjeldoran Javelineer MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Kjeldoran Javelineer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kjeldoran Javelineer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-10-01	Paying cumulative upkeep is always optional. If it’s not paid, the permanent with cumulative upkeep is sacrificed. Partial payments of the total cumulative upkeep cost can’t be made. For example, if a permanent with “cumulative upkeep ” has three age counters on it when its cumulative upkeep ability triggers, it gets another age counter and then its controller chooses to either pay or sacrifice the permanent.