Ignoble Soldier MTG Card


Ignoble Soldier - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Power 3
Toughness 1
Number22
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMark Romanoski

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosting card advantage, Ignoble Soldier can provide significant resource depth during combat.
  2. Enables resource acceleration and surprises with instant-speed interactions.
  3. Demands a specific mana to play, potentially limiting deck flexibility.

Text of card

Whenever Ignoble Soldier becomes blocked, prevent all combat damage that would be dealt by it this turn.

Cowardice is a term invented by those with no cunning.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ignoble Soldier can provide ongoing card advantage by boosting the number of cards in your hand each time it deals combat damage to a player. This can be pivotal in outpacing your opponent in resource depth over the course of a match.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly offering a traditional ramp, Ignoble Soldier’s ability may accelerate your resources by drawing into more land cards or key spells that help manage your mana curve effectively.

Instant Speed: The strategic value of Ignoble Soldier is enhanced by spells or abilities that could be activated at instant speed, allowing you to respond to opponents’ moves swiftly and with surprise, bolstering the soldier’s effectiveness on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ignoble Soldier has an inherent drawback of potentially reducing your hand advantage. Requiring a player to discard another card can be detrimental, especially in formats where maintaining card advantage is crucial for outmaneuvering the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana configuration to be played effectively. It requires a white mana, which can sometimes be restrictive, particularly in multi-colored decks that may struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you assess the Ignoble Soldier’s abilities against its casting cost, it’s evident that it might not be the most mana-efficient creature on the battlefield. This can lead to potential issues in faster-paced games where tempo and swift board development are key to victory.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ignoble Soldier has a wide application across various deck builds. Its cost-effective mana rate allows for easy integration into strategies looking to establish board presence early in the game.

Combo Potential: As a creature with a unique battlefield trigger, Ignoble Soldier can be pivotal in decks that capitalize on creature counts or those that utilize triggers from creature damage or death.

Meta-Relevance: For a gaming environment that emphasizes creature interactions, Ignoble Soldier can significantly impact play dynamics and serve as an essential piece in combat-focused decks.


How to beat Ignoble Soldier

Ignoble Soldier may not be the most intimidating presence on the battlefield, but underestimating this creature can quickly turn the tides against you in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This card shines in decks that encourage a swift and aggressive strategy, forcing opponents to think twice before blocking or staging an attack. Your primary strategy to counter this card should revolve around removing it swiftly from play to prevent its ability from tipping the scales. Consider cards that offer instant-speed removal or those that can bypass the combat phase altogether.

Deckbuilding to counter cards like Ignoble Soldier involves having an arsenal prepared for creature-based threats. Versatile removal spells, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, excel in dealing with such creatures efficiently. Alternatively, using enchantments that neutralize creatures without destroying them can also serve as a viable tactic, ensuring Ignoble Soldier’s ability is rendered useless while sidelined on the field. Your approach to besting this card is to maintain control and deny your opponent the opportunity to capitalize on its advantages.

Victory in MTG often comes down to anticipating your opponent’s moves and countering effectively. Ignoble Soldier requires attention but can be managed with a well-prepared deck and a strategic mindset. Utilize control elements strategically, and you’ll neutralize this threat with ease.


Cards like Ignoble Soldier

The Ignoble Soldier is an interesting card that finds its peers among other creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Notably, it shares similarities with cards like Veteran Armorer, which also provides a supportive role on the battlefield. Both cards strengthen your legion but with Ignoble Soldier, there’s a twist – it gets stronger as your opponents cast spells during your turn, a trait that Veteran Armorer lacks.

Another comparable card is Bushido’s Trainee. This card, much like Ignoble Soldier, gains advantage from certain game situations, specifically when this creature becomes blocked. Yet, the Soldier’s ability to grow in strength regardless of combat situations offers a level of flexibility and threat that Bushido’s Trainee does not inherently possess.

Delving into these subtleties, we can appreciate the unique position of Ignoble Soldier amongst its creature counterparts. It reinforces your army not just through mere presence but by countering your opponent’s plans, potentially growing out of control if left unchecked. This characteristic aligns with gameplay strategies that favor creatures with increasing threat levels, distinguishing the Ignoble Soldier in Magic: The Gathering’s diverse creature suite.

Veteran Armorer - MTG Card versions
Veteran Armorer - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Ignoble Soldier by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Prelate - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Snow Hound - Ice Age (ICE)
Elvish Healer - Ice Age (ICE)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Stern Marshal - Portal (POR)
Soltari Crusader - Tempest (TMP)
Town Sentry - Portal Second Age (P02)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Sanctum Prelate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ignoble Soldier MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Ignoble Soldier and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ignoble Soldier has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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