Steadfast Cathar MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Steadfast Cathar may not directly allow for drawing additional cards, it can be considered an asset in strategies aimed at conserving resources. Its aggressive cost-to-power ratio ensures that you’re putting a card on the board that your opponent has to answer, often forcing them to trade more than one card to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: Steadfast Cathar doesn’t provide traditional resource acceleration like mana ramp or treasure creation, but it does support an accelerated gameplay style. It’s low casting cost allows players to establish early board presence while preserving mana for other plays, keeping the pressure on opponents and promoting a tempo-based strategy.

Instant Speed: While Steadfast Cathar operates at sorcery speed, being a creature, it synergizes well with decks that have instant speed tricks. This humble soldier can become a surprising threat when augmented with instant speed buffs or combat tricks, making it a flexible combatant during the melee phase of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steadfast Cathar doesn’t directly require you to discard a card, but lacking synergy with discard strategies can render it less flexible in decks that leverage card discard for value or effects. Thus, its presence might not complement such deck mechanisms efficiently.

Specific Mana Cost: Steadfast Cathar demands a specific mana alignment with white, which narrows its compatibility down to only white or mixed decks incorporating white mana. This restriction makes it challenging for non-white deck players to optimize their strategies with Steadfast Cathar involved.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With two mana needed for a 2/2 creature, Steadfast Cathar’s cost-efficiency can be debated. Other creatures or spells available at a similar mana cost may offer players additional abilities or greater stats, potentially overshadowing Steadfast Cathar in terms of value-per-mana-spent within the game.

Reasons to Include Steadfast Cathar in Your Collection

Versatility: Steadfast Cathar can seamlessly slot into various White or White-X aggro decks thanks to its straightforward mana requirement and ability to push through damage.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that reward you for deploying human or soldier type creatures. Its ability to increase in power when attacking can be amplified within decks that focus on creature buffs or tribal themes.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where early game presence is crucial, Steadfast Cathar holds its ground by offering a cost-effective creature that can apply pressure from the get-go, making it a viable choice against decks that take time to set up their defenses.

How to Beat Steadfast Cathar

Steadfast Cathar is a resilient creature in Magic: The Gathering, touting a notable ability to become stronger as it attacks. With its strength increasing upon each assault, it requires a strategic approach to overcome successfully. One effective tactic to beat this card is by utilizing instant-speed removal spells. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly deal with the Cathar before it can capitalize on its attack-triggered buff. Additionally, employing creatures with deathtouch can dissuade opponents from attacking with their Cathar, as it may lead to an unfavorable trade for them.

Board control is key when facing creatures like Steadfast Cathar. Including sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board and neutralize this card’s momentum. Furthermore, denying the creature any attack opportunities by using pacifism effects or cards that can tap creatures will halt its ability to become a bigger threat. Flexibility in your response will ensure you’re well-equipped to keep Steadfast Cathar from taking over the game and lead you towards victory.