Recruit the Worthy MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Buyback
Released	2019-06-14
Set symbol
Set name	Modern Horizons
Set code	MH1
Number	22
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Joe Slucher

Key Takeaways

Boosts board state with creature tokens at instant speed, maximizing tactical adaptability during gameplay.
Fuels game plans swiftly with low casting cost and beneficial for token and spell synergy strategies.
Provides strategic flexibility, making it valuable in diverse situations and various deck builds.

Text of card

Buyback (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.) Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.

For peace of mind, they mustered for war.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Recruit the Worthy boosts your board state with creature tokens, effectively multiplying your presence on the battlefield with each cast. This incremental advantage allows you to maintain pressure on your opponent and can lead to overwhelming them over time.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost spell, Recruit the Worthy can be slotted into your plays early on. It works well with mana sinks and synergizes with strategies that complement spell casting or the creation of multiple tokens to fuel your game plan more swiftly.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Recruit the Worthy at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves. Deploy it at the end of your opponent’s turn to save mana for potential counterspells or other interactive plays, which ensures that you’re efficiently allocating resources while continuing to develop your board state unimpeded.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Recruit the Worthy, you may be obliged to discard other valuable cards from your hand, which could put you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a precise mana cost which includes white mana. If your deck isn’t optimized to produce white mana consistently, you might face challenges casting it on curve, thereby reducing its effectiveness in non-white or multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other options available, the mana investment for Recruit the Worthy might be deemed steep for the effect it provides. Players might resort to more cost-efficient creatures or spells for the same or lower mana investment, making this card less favorable in competitive play.

Reasons to Include Recruit the Worthy in Your Collection

Versatility: Recruit the Worthy offers the flexibility to bolster your ranks at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s fueling a token strategy or needed for a quick defensive line, this card can adapt to various situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With buyback, Recruit the Worthy can become a recurring element in synergies. It pairs well with effects that trigger when creatures enter the battlefield or when spells are cast, making it a linchpin in intricate combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metas that favor creature-centric strategies or go wide tactics, this card is a valuable tool. It can serve as a means to maintain presence on the board and can be particularly potent in decks that leverage the strength of numbers.

How to Beat Recruit the Worthy

Recruit the Worthy stands out in MTG as a card that can quickly amass an army of soldiers. Its low mana cost coupled with the buyback ability allows players to repeatedly create tokens and maintain board presence. Facing this relentless tide of tokens can be daunting, especially if it’s leveraged early and efficiently during gameplay.

To counteract Recruit the Worthy, removal spells that can deal with multiple creatures at once are key. Spells like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board, nullifying the advantage Recruit the Worthy provides. Additionally, cards with effects that prevent token generation or punish the opponent for creating tokens, such as Illness in the Ranks or Trespasser’s Curse, can deter or at least mitigate the impact of this token-producing machine.

Another strategy involves attacking the player’s mana resources to restrict their ability to repeatedly use the buyback feature. Land destruction or counterspells like Mana Leak can disrupt their game plan by targeting their mana base or countering the spell outright. Strategic timing and the right choice of reactions can turn the tide against Recruit the Worthy and help maintain control over the battlefield.

Cards like Recruit the Worthy

Recruit the Worthy is an intriguing spell within the realm of token generation in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors other cards like Raise the Alarm, which similarly creates two creature tokens. However, one distinguishing feature of Recruit the Worthy is its buyback ability, allowing for repeated use provided the mana cost is paid. Meanwhile, Raise the Alarm lacks this feature, offering only a one-time effect.

Another counterpart is Krenko’s Command, which also delivers two creature tokens for the same mana cost without buyback. The key difference lies in the tokens produced — Krenko’s Command creates Goblins, which might synergize better with certain tribal strategies. However, Recruit the Worthy’s flexibility with buyback can often give it an edge in games where the battle is drawn out over several turns and mana is available to spare.

Finding its niche, Recruit the Worthy stands out for its potential to consistently supply token creatures. In comparison to one-off spells, the strategic reuse of Recruit the Worthy can offer a persistent presence on the battlefield, thus allowing players to build their forces turn after turn when mana resources allow.

Cards similar to Recruit the Worthy by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Recruit the Worthy MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Recruit the Worthy and other MTG cards: