Trusty Companion MTG Card
Key Takeaways
- Trusty Companion is a reliable early-game blocker with the added versatility of vigilance.
- The card demands strategic hand management due to its discard requirement for activation.
- Brings a unique dynamic to decks, doubling as both an offensive and defensive asset.
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.
Text of card
Vigilance Trusty Companion can't attack alone.
It shows affection an automaton never could.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Trusty Companion provides a valuable asset through its ability to potentially double block opponents, deterring attacks and protecting your strategically important cards without losing card economy on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the typical sense of adding mana, but its presence for just two mana gives you a reliable creature on the board early game, effectively keeping pace with the game’s natural resource progression.
Instant Speed: While Trusty Companion doesn’t operate at instant speed, it offers a different kind of adaptability. Its vigilance keeps it ready to act as both an attacker and defender, offering you uninterrupted board presence and ensuring you’re always prepared for your opponent’s moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Trusty Companion’s utilization necessitates a discard from your hand, which might strip you of vital cards in critical gameplay moments. This requirement can especially be challenging when your hand is sparse, and each card’s value is amplified.
Specific Mana Cost: Trusty Companion demands a particular blend of mana colors to cast. If your deck doesn’t naturally generate these colors or if you’re facing mana shortages, playing Trusty Companion could prove difficult or even impossible at times.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively hefty mana cost for its abilities, Trusty Companion may not always be the most efficient choice. Other creatures or spells could offer similar or better benefits for less mana, allowing for a smoother curve in your deck building and gameplay strategy.
Reasons to Include Trusty Companion in Your Collection
Versatility: Trusty Companion is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck styles, particularly those that require creatures that can reliably block or support life gain strategies.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies revolving around vigilant creatures or those looking to exploit the untap phase, making for some interesting synergies and interactions on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Trusty Companion shines in environments where combat-centric decks prevail. Its ability to hold back attacks while still being able to commit to one’s own offensive provides a tactical edge that can be quite substantial.
How to beat
Trusty Companion presents a unique challenge in the MTG landscape as a creature card known for its reliability and steadfastness. It’s a card that pairs well with an array of strategies, especially those looking to maintain a strong defensive line. With vigilance, Trusty Companion can attack without tapping, adding to its appeal as a protective asset while still applying pressure on the opponent.
To effectively tackle this vigilant hound, consider cards that can bypass or neutralize its abilities. Removal spells that don’t rely on the creature being tapped, such as Path to Exile or Murder, can cleanly deal with the Trusty Companion without it ever becoming a lingering threat. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, clearing Trusty Companion and other creatures your opponent controls.
Employing strategies that outpace or overwhelm can also serve as a valid approach. Aggressive decks with a faster tempo can pressure an opponent before Trusty Companion’s strengths become fully realized. Implementing evasion tactics through flying or trample abilities can circumvent the Companion’s defenses, proving that even the most faithful allies in MTG have their vulnerabilities.
Cards like Trusty Companion
Trusty Companion adds unique value to the suite of two-cost creatures available to Magic: The Gathering players. With similarities to creatures like Savannah Lions which boasts a two power for one white mana, Trusty Companion ups the ante with vigilance, allowing it to attack without tapping. This mirrors the abilities of fellow creatures like Consul’s Lieutenant, which also has the vigilance trait but offers the added benefit of First Strike if you achieve renown.
Looking at Veteran Armorsmith, you get the sense that Trusty Companion could find synergy in decks that put a spotlight on soldiers. Veteran Armorsmith provides an additional defense to your soldiers, complementing Trusty Companion’s already sturdy structure for early gameplay domination. Then consider the likes of Akroan Jailer, which shares the same mana cost but carries a more supportive role in managing the battlefield by tapping opposing creatures, while Trusty Companion focuses on maintaining an aggressive board presence.
The comparison sets Trusty Companion apart as a force on the offensive end while still holding the line on defense, making it an exceptional pick for decks that necessitate a robust and diligent ally.
Cards similar to Trusty Companion by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trusty Companion MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Trusty Companion 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 Trusty Companion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Trusty Companion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | Although Trusty Companion can't attack alone, other attacking creatures don't have to attack the same player or planeswalker. For example, Trusty Companion could attack an opponent and another creature could attack a planeswalker that opponent controls. |
| 2016-09-20 | If a creature that can't attack alone also must attack if able, its controller must attack with it and another creature if able. |
| 2016-09-20 | If you control more than one creature that can't attack alone, they can attack together, even if no other creatures attack. |
| 2016-09-20 | In a Two-Headed Giant game, Trusty Companion can attack along with a creature controlled by your teammate, even if no other creatures you control attack. |
| 2016-09-20 | Trusty Companion can be declared as an attacker only if another creature is declared as an attacker at the same time. Once it's attacking, removing the other creature won't cause Trusty Companion to stop attacking. |
