Grassland Crusader MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric Soldier
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	32
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Key Takeaways

Grassland Crusader’s draw ability provides an edge by maintaining a full hand, crucial for strategy execution.
Activation at instant speed allows for flexible responses and potential game-altering plays against opponents.
However, its discard requirement and high mana cost can be restrictive and impact hand advantage negatively.

Text of card

oc T: Target Elf or Soldier gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

"Everyone deserves a chance to live. My job is to make sure they get it."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grassland Crusader offers players a substantial edge by providing a consistent draw mechanism each time you fulfill its activation requirement. This enables you to maintain a full hand, crucial for outmaneuvering opponents and executing your strategy effectively.

Resource Acceleration: This card has the potential to quickly ramp up your resources, advancing your board state at an accelerated rate. By creating additional mana opportunities, you lay the groundwork for deploying more significant threats sooner than your adversaries can handle.

Instant Speed: Being an instant-speed ability, Grassland Crusader provides the flexibility to react during your adversary’s turn, keeping up the element of surprise and allowing for strategic plays that can disrupt the opponent’s tactics and preserve your momentum within the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grassland Crusader mandates that you discard another card to activate its ability. This cost could deplete your hand and be particularly detrimental in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a precise combination of mana types to cast, which could be restrictive for multi-color decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its abilities and stats, Grassland Crusader has a mana cost that is on the higher end. When compared to other cards at a similar cost, it might not provide the same level of impact or efficiency on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Grassland Crusader in Your Collection

Versatility: Grassland Crusader offers a unique skill set that allows it to easily slot into several types of decks, particularly those that capitalize on efficient creatures and life gain strategies.

Combo Potential: Utilizing the Crusader’s abilities, savvy players can craft intricate combos, especially with cards that benefit from gaining life or having a certain threshold of life points.

Meta-Relevance: This card shines in environments where aggressive play is common, providing a stabilizing presence that can turn the tide in your favor while maintaining board presence.

How to beat

Grassland Crusader is known for its ability to enhance the power of fellow creatures, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. One strategy to overcome this card in Magic: The Gathering is to limit the number of creatures your opponent has on the field. Using removal spells efficiently can help keep their creature count low and neutralize the Crusader’s buffing capabilities. Counter spells also prove to be effective by preventing the Crusader from entering the battlefield in the first place.

Another method to contend with Grassland Crusader is to employ board wipes. These cards clear the field of all creatures, nullifying the advantage the Crusader provides. This approach resets the board and gives players a chance to regain control of the game. Lastly, direct damage spells or abilities that specifically target the Crusader can prove to be invaluable, eliminating the threat before it can impact the game significantly. Timing and anticipation of your opponent’s play are critical when dealing with powerful cards like the Grassland Crusader.

Considering these strategies, players can develop a plan to mitigate the presence and effect of this robust card on the game, maintaining balance and increasing their odds of victory.

Cards like Grassland Crusader

The Grassland Crusader is a distinct entry in the world of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its doppelgangers on the battlefield would include the likes of Savannah Lions, which boast a similar low mana cost for a quick offensive addition to your board. Nevertheless, the Grassland Crusader diverges with its potential for late-game scaling, effectively becoming more potent as the game progresses.

In contrast, another kindred card could be the Elite Vanguard. This unit also enters the fray with comparable zeal, positioned as an aggressive 2/1 creature for one white mana. However, the Elite Vanguard doesn’t have the same upside as the Crusader, lacking the adaptive strength that can alter the state of play. Then there’s the Isamaru, Hound of Konda, an iconic one-drop creature that starts out stronger, yet doesn’t offer the same growth potential that our Grassland Crusader holds, a trait that can be crucial in the course of a drawn-out game.

Through careful consideration, it’s clear that Grassland Crusader can secure a valuable spot among similar MTG cards by combining early playability with latent power growth, a dual asset that can be employed to great effect depending on the dynamics of the match.

Isamaru, Hound of Konda - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grassland Crusader by color, type and mana cost

Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions

Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions

Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions

Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grassland Crusader MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Grassland Crusader and other MTG cards: