Benalish Lancer MTG Card

Invasion (INV)
2000-10-02 - Number 7

Benalish Lancer - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
2011-04-01 - Number 12

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Knight
Abilities	Kicker
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Benalish Lancer’s kicker option provides two potential threats in one card, enhancing adaptability.
Its mana flexibility allows for early or late game presence, optimizing resource use.
Pairing with instant speed decks gives you the option to develop or respond promptly.

Text of card

Kicker o W (You may pay an additional o W as you play this spell.) If you paid the kicker cost, Benalish Lancer comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it and has first strike.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Benalish Lancer itself does not directly provide card draw, its kicker ability can be strategically played to present a double threat. As a solid creature on its own, if needed, it can also be transformed into a more imposing force on the battlefield, effectively giving you two card options in one and potentially swaying the board state in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: With its kicker mechanic, Benalish Lancer offers a measure of resource acceleration by enabling you to optimize your mana at any stage of the game. Cast it early as a decent 3-cost creature or use more mana late in the game to bring a more powerful 4/4 creature with first strike into play, aligning with your available resources.

Instant Speed: Although Benalish Lancer is a creature and doesn’t have instant speed itself, it pairs well within decks that can hold mana for instant speed responses. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the game’s flow, either by developing your board or responding to threats immediately as they occur.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Benalish Lancer does not directly necessitate discarding cards, but it does demand a significant mana commitment. The opportunity cost of playing this card might mean disposing of potential plays held in hand, especially if one needs to keep mana open for other spells or abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Benalish Lancer’s mana cost includes two white mana symbols, which can make it a less flexible option for multicolored decks, potentially hindering deck-building versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a basic 2/2 knight, its initial stats do not stand out. While it holds potential with the kicker cost, investing a total of six mana to achieve a 4/4 with first strike can be steep compared to other efficient creatures and spells available in the game for a similar or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Benalish Lancer in Your Collection

Versatility: Benalish Lancer offers flexibility through its kicker ability, enabling it to serve as a solid 3-drop creature or a more formidable 6-drop, making it a fit for various deck strategies and mana curves.

Combo Potential: When the Lancer is kicked, it enhances strategies that capitalize on creatures with higher power or that benefit from the ‘enter the battlefield’ trigger, offering a variety of synergistic possibilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates resilient creatures, the Lancer’s potential as a sizeable 4/4 with First Strike can deter opponents and swing the tide of battle in creature-heavy match-ups.

How to Beat Benalish Lancer

The Benalish Lancer may be a familiar presence on the battlefield with its kicker ability allowing it to become a formidable 4/4 knight. To effectively counter this card, understanding the timing and resources required for its kicker cost is crucial. Without its kicker activated, the Lancer is merely a 2/2 creature, something that most removal spells can handle with ease.

In the same bracket, there are cards like Doom Blade and Murder – straightforward, effective removals that can dispatch the Lancer before the kicker ever becomes a concern. Cards like Pacifism also provide an excellent way to deal with it, by neutralizing it without needing to destroy it outright. Should you find yourself against a kicked Benalish Lancer, higher cost removal or board wipes like Wrath of God can be your ticket to clearing the board and swinging the momentum back in your favor.

Altogether, while the Benalish Lancer can be a versatile addition to a knight-themed deck or decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters, its impact is mitigated by your preparedness and smart play. Adequate removal, both in terms of quality and timing, will ensure that this knight doesn’t get a chance to make its mark.

Cards like Benalish Lancer

The Benalish Lancer is a not-so-ordinary knight creature that brings versatility to your deck in Magic the Gathering. It shares similarities with other knights like the White Knight and Silver Knight. Like its counterparts, the Benalish Lancer offers a notable presence on the battlefield with its decent power and toughness. Nonetheless, the Lancer boasts its kicker ability, giving players the option to enhance its capabilities when more mana is available.

Diving deeper into comparisons, the Knight of Meadowgrain also makes an interesting match-up against our Lancer. While the Knight of Meadowgrain provides a consistent lifelink benefit, it lacks the flexibility of the kicker mechanic that the Benalish Lancer has. The Lancer’s ability to become a sizeable 4/4 creature with first strike can shift the tides of combat in your favor, a potential game changer in the middle to late game.

The adaptability of the Benalish Lancer in combat situations is what sets it apart from other knights in the realm of Magic the Gathering. Whether you opt for a reliable 2/2 knight or a formidable 4/4 with first strike, this card offers tactical depth that can be woven seamlessly into various gameplay strategies.

Knight of Meadowgrain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Benalish Lancer by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Benalish Lancer MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, 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 Benalish Lancer and other MTG cards: