Independent Troops MTG Card

Independent Troops - Portal Three Kingdoms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	114
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Kuang Sheng

Key Takeaways

Independent Troops ensure card advantage through efficient draw, enhancing strategic options during the game.
Flexibility at instant speed offers tactical advantages by allowing strategic responses to opponents.
Demands for specific mana and potential high costs are considerations for deck integration.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The powerful mechanics of Independent Troops give players an edge by enabling efficient card draw, offering a steady flow of new options and strategies during gameplay. Consistent access to more cards means higher chances of having the right answer to an opponent’s moves or furthering your own board position.

Resource Acceleration: This card contributes to ramping up your resources, potentially generating additional mana or tokens. Such effects can significantly boost the speed at which you can deploy your threats to the battlefield, giving players a swift tempo lead that can be difficult for opponents to counteract.

Instant Speed: Being able to deploy Independent Troops at instant speed grants flexibility and tactical depth. This allows savvy players to wait for the most opportune moment to act, whether it’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy or making a decisive move after gauging the state of the game at the end of a turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Many players searching for the right fit for their deck might find the discard requirement of Independent Troops a major downside. The card demands players to discard as part of the casting cost, which can put a strain on hand sizes, especially in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck-building becomes more challenging with Independent Troops due to its specific mana demands. Decks that don’t include the required colors might not be able to accommodate this card without adjusting their mana base, potentially disrupting the deck’s overall consistency and strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating cards for competitive play, mana efficiency is always top of mind. Independent Troops comes with a relatively steep mana cost, which could be a deterrent. In an environment where tempo and early board presence are vital, investing a significant amount of mana into this single card might not be the optimal play, considering other options available in the card pool.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Independent Troops add strategic flexibility as they allow for adaptive playstyles across various deck formats. Their ability to function efficiently both on offense and defense adds significant value to your gameplay.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with numerous deck themes that capitalize on soldiers or creature tokens. Its inherent qualities offer great potential for creating powerful combos that can dominate the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the current meta often shifts towards creature-based tactics or go-wide strategies, having Independent Troops in your arsenal means you’re well-equipped to face the prevalent deck archetypes in competitive play.

How to beat

Overcoming the challenge presented by Independent Troops in MTG demands strategic understanding. This card often hits the battlefield and catches opponents off-guard with its ability to bolster defenses through creating copies. To outpace this, focusing on removal spells that can target multiple creatures like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God becomes essential, as these can clear the battlefield irrespective of the number of tokens present.

Ensnaring effects such as Pacifism can also prove crucial; by locking down the original, the generated copies become less of a threat. Players should stock their arsenals with versatile spot removal like Path to Exile, which offers a clean, efficient answer to the potential swarm without needing to wait for a full board wipe. Similarly, countering the card before it takes effect or utilizing hand disruption techniques prevents the initial dilemma altogether – discard spells like Thoughtseize play a pivotal role here.

Aside from these reactive strategies, a proactive game plan that pressures the opponent can also be effective. Aggressive decks that outrun the setup of Independent Troops, applying constant pressure and demanding answers, can limit its impact. Overall, the key lies in preparedness and adaptability, whether that means preemptive disruption or handling what hits the board swiftly and effectively.

Cards like Independent Troops

Independent Troops is a unique contribution to the suite of creature spells in MTG. When analyzing cards of similar nature, we often compare them to the likes of Squadron Hawk. This card is well-known for its ability to fetch copies of itself from the library, bolstering your forces. While both cards aim at building a sizable army, Independent Troops may not provide the same level of card advantage as Squadron Hawk since it does not pull additional cards from the deck.

Another parallel comes with Raise the Alarm, which is efficient at quickly populating the board with token creatures for a low cost. Although Raise the Alarm doesn’t bring permanent creature cards into play like Independent Troops, the instant speed and instant army creation make it a formidable choice for many decks. Similarly, Mistral Charger is noteworthy, offering a flying creature for the same cost, yet it lacks the potential multiplying effect of Independent Troops that can result in a larger, although grounded, military presence.

Independent Troops stands out by its potential to grow a player’s army size directly onto the battlefield, showcasing distinctive features that could tip the scales in favor of strategic deck builders looking to outnumber opponents with capable ground forces in MTG.

Cards similar to Independent Troops by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Independent Troops MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Independent Troops and other MTG cards: