Hanweir Lancer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities Soulbond
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Hanweir Lancer’s soulbond ability bolsters combat, providing crucial first strike in tight matchups.
  2. Its specific mana cost may restrict deck building, limiting use to certain strategies.
  3. Despite a potentially high cost, its versatility in aggressive decks justifies inclusion.

Text of card

Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Hanweir Lancer is paired with another creature, both creatures have first strike.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hanweir Lancer doesn’t directly result in card advantage through drawing, but it pairs well with creature-based strategies, supporting and enhancing battlefield presence when it comes to synergies with other cards, such as those with soulbond or similar mechanics in the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Hanweir Lancer itself does not provide resource acceleration in terms of mana, its low casting cost can lead to a faster deployment, allowing players to utilize their resources effectively and maintain momentum in the early to mid game stages.

Instant Speed: Though Hanweir Lancer is a creature and therefore does not have instant speed, its ability to bestow first strike can offer pseudo-instantaneous benefits in combat, effectively being a surprise element that can be used defensively during the opponent’s turn once it’s on the field, in line with how combat tricks would operate.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Hanweir Lancer offers valuable support with its soulbond ability, it does not offset the potential drawback of discarding a card from your hand. This means you’ll have to weigh the benefits of bonding it with another creature against the downsides of reducing your hand size, potentially diminishing your strategic options later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Hanweir Lancer’s mana cost demands one red mana in its casting cost, which hinders its flexibility. Players running multicolored decks may find it challenging to meet the color-specific mana requirements, thus limiting the Lancer’s inclusion exclusively to red or red-inclusive decks, which may not align with a player’s overall strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one fixed red mana, Hanweir Lancer’s ability to grant first strike through soulbond may not be as cost-effective compared to other cards with similar abilities. The mana investment for a 2/2 creature, even with the potential combat benefits, might seem steep, especially when lower-cost alternatives for first strike enablers or more impactful creatures are available.


Reasons to Include Hanweir Lancer in Your Collection

Versatility: Hanweir Lancer serves as an efficient creature card that can be slotted into a variety of decks. Its inclusion is beneficial for those requiring support in strengthening their battlefield with solid creatures that carry potential for robust synergy.

Combo Potential: The card’s soulbond ability allows it to pair with another creature, providing it with first strike. This opens up opportunities for various interactions and combos, enhancing both offensive and defensive strategies within your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks focusing on quick aggro strategies, Hanweir Lancer’s first strike providing ability can turn the tide by offering your other creatures the edge they need in combat, potentially disrupting your opponent’s tactics in the current meta.


How to beat

Hanweir Lancer serves as a solid support card in red-based aggressive decks in Magic: The Gathering, often featuring in decks that value creature synergies and combat tricks. The Lancer’s potential comes from its ability to empower another creature with first strike until the end of turn. To effectively navigate against this support unit, players should focus on removing the Lancer before it can leverage its ability during combat. Control spells that negate abilities or remove creatures at instant speed can dismantle the coordination Hanweir Lancer aims to establish, mitigating its impact on the battlefield.

Another approach is to deter engagements that favor your opponent. Since the Lancer’s ability is most advantageous during your opponent’s turn, having creatures with first strike or deathtouch on your side can disincentivize attacks. Cards that offer these attributes or instant-speed buffs can level the playing field or tilt it in your favor. Overall, proactivity and removal resources are key in maintaining control against Hanweir Lancer’s proactive strategies. Assess the threats and time your responses efficiently to ensure Hanweir Lancer doesn’t tip the scales against you in MTG.


Cards like Hanweir Lancer

Hanweir Lancer serves as a solid fixture in decks that favor aggressive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. At first glance, it might remind players of other creatures like Silverchase Fox due to its cost-effective nature and immediate impact on the battlefield. However, unlike the Fox, Hanweir Lancer brings a special utility to the table – it grants another creature first strike until end of turn with its soulbond ability.

Turning our focus to cards like Knight of Cliffhaven, which also offer a means to elevate other creatures’ abilities, we witness a trade-off. Knight of Cliffhaven requires additional mana investment to reach its full potential, whereas Hanweir Lancer is all about instantaneous value. Another card worth mentioning is Veteran Swordsmith, a creature that offers a more consistent boost to other soldiers but lacks the flexibility Hanweir Lancer provides through its selective first strike bonus.

Assessing creatures with similar roles showcases how Hanweir Lancer occupies a niche in aggressive MTG decks that value combat tricks and synergy. Its ability to selectively enhance team dynamics gives players a tactical advantage, making it a competent choice amongst creature support options.

Silverchase Fox - MTG Card versions
Knight of Cliffhaven - MTG Card versions
Veteran Swordsmith - MTG Card versions
Silverchase Fox - Innistrad (ISD)
Knight of Cliffhaven - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Veteran Swordsmith - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Hanweir Lancer by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
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Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
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Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hanweir Lancer MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Hanweir Lancer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hanweir Lancer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 1382003normalblackSteve Prescott
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 972015normalblackSteve Prescott
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9722015normalblackSteve Prescott
42020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-972015normalblackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hanweir Lancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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