Swordwise Centaur MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Centaur Warrior |
| Released | 2014-02-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Born of the Gods |
| Set code | BNG |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 142 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Slawomir Maniak |
Key Takeaways
- Efficient 3/2 for two mana improves board impact, especially in aggressive early-game scenarios and green-centric decks.
- Enables quicker use of hand resources, possibly forcing opponents to act prematurely and waste removal spells.
- Limitations in multicolored decks due to specific mana cost, but excels in mono-green with strong early presence.
Card Pros
Resource Acceleration: Despite its lack of direct mana acceleration, Swordwise Centaur is a 3/2 creature for two mana, which presents an efficient cost-to-power ratio. This efficiency can lead to faster and more impactful gameplay, enabling you to outpace opponents by deploying a stronger presence on the board early in the game.
Card Advantage: Swordwise Centaur, on its own, may not draw additional cards, but its low mana cost allows you to utilize more of your hand sooner. This can indirectly contribute to card advantage by pressuring opponents to use their removal spells or board control cards prematurely.
Instant Speed: While Swordwise Centaur does not operate at instant speed, its inclusion in a deck that boasts quick, aggressive tactics aligns well with instant speed removal or combat tricks you may include. Deploying it swiftly on your turn enhances the tempo of your strategy, making it a solid choice for decks aiming to dominate the early game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Swordwise Centaur does not directly demand a discard, but its presence in your hand may limit strategic flexibility. Especially in situations where a more impactful play is needed, this card could end up as the reluctant discard to enable better options.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s casting requirements are strictly green mana. While efficient in a mono-green deck, it poses challenges in multicolored decks and limits its use across various deck types that may not have sufficient green mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though two green mana might not seem excessive, the trade-off for a 3/2 body without additional abilities might not stack up favorably in a meta where creatures at similar costs bring more to the battlefield. Players could find themselves at a disadvantage when opting for a vanilla creature like Swordwise Centaur instead of more advantageous options available within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Swordwise Centaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Swordwise Centaur is a solid addition to green decks focused on overwhelming the battlefield with creatures. Its straightforward mana cost and solid body make it easy to incorporate into various strategies, particularly those that benefit from devotion to green.
Combo Potential: Its two green mana symbols can be an asset in decks leveraging the devotion mechanic. Additionally, its Centaur creature type offers synergies in tribal-themed builds that can buff and benefit from centrally focused creature types.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive green decks are prominent, Swordwise Centaur shines by providing a strong early game presence. This can be especially potent when green stompy or green devotion strategies gain traction in the meta.
How to beat
Swordwise Centaur is a solid creature offering for those who favor green decks in Magic the Gathering. As a two mana 3/2, it presents considerable early game pressure and thrives in decks emphasizing on green devotion. What sets this card apart is its efficient cost-to-power ratio, making it a prime target for removal.
When facing a Swordwise Centaur, timing is crucial. Utilize spot removal spells before it can receive any buffs or protective spells. Black decks can efficiently tackle it with Fatal Push or Bloodchief’s Thirst. Blue players might prefer to keep mana open for a counter when the opponent is low on resources, ensuring that the centaur never hits the battlefield. Red deck users should consider using Lightning Strike to dispatch it swiftly. For those in white, Declaration in Stone proves useful as it can manage multiple copies of the card simultaneously.
Ultimately, handling Swordwise Centaur necessitates swift action. Keeping the board clear and managing threats immediately as they arise can stop this centaur from becoming a larger problem. Remember to anticipate buffs and have removal at the ready to maintain control of the match.
Cards like Swordwise Centaur
Swordwise Centaur is a creature card in Magic: The Gathering that belongs to the green mana spell roster, known for its strength in deploying formidable creatures onto the battlefield. Its counterparts, such as Leatherback Baloth, also boast powerful stats with a reasonable casting cost. Leatherback Baloth offers an impressive 4/5 body for just three green mana, making it a more robust but slightly more expensive alternative to the efficient 3/2 offered by Swordwise Centaur for two green mana.
Oakenform is another card worthy of comparison, even though it’s an Aura that buffs creatures rather than a creature itself. It gives a similar boost as having an additional Swordwise Centaur on the field by providing a creature with +3/+3. This effect mirrors the Centaur’s stats, allowing for strategic flexibility in deck building.
Examining the valuable two-drop slot within green’s arsenal, we also find Kalonian Tusker, which presents itself as a well-balanced comparison to Swordwise Centaur. It offers the same total power and toughness spread across its two mana cost. While not directly offering Swordwise Centaur’s centaur tribal synergy, it maintains parallel efficiency for those seeking cost-effective beaters in green-centric decks.
Ultimately, Swordwise Centaur stands out for its simplicity and synergy within centaur and green-stompy archetypes, asserting its place in Magic: The Gathering as a reliable and straightforward choice for players building on a budget.
Cards similar to Swordwise Centaur by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swordwise Centaur MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Swordwise Centaur 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swordwise Centaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
