Veteran Cathar MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 238
2023-03-21 - Number 225
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- With instant speed, Veteran Cathar allows dynamic combat adjustments and unexpected strategies.
- Resource acceleration is achieved by doubling damage output without additional cards.
- Requires human synergy, presenting strength and limitations in deck construction.
Text of card
: Target Human gains double strike until end of turn.
"Prayers can be powerful, but I prefer to put faith in my own two hands."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Veteran Cathar offers significant strategic benefits on the battlefield, allowing players the versatility to strengthen their position. The ability to transform humans into formidable combatants enhances the utility of each creature and can sway the tide of a match.
Resource Acceleration: By providing double strike to an attacking creature, Veteran Cathar efficiently leverages the board state, potentially doubling the damage output without requiring additional card investments. This effect accelerates your battle plan and can lead to quicker victories.
Instant Speed: Veteran Cathar’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, allowing players to adapt to the evolving game state with surprise tactics. You can catch an opponent off-guard during combat, turning a simple block into a devastating counter.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Veteran Cathar demands other human creatures for optimal performance. Not having one to synergize can dampen its battlefield impact, particularly when you’re short on creatures, making it less versatile compared to stand-alone cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing both green and white mana can be restrictive. This dual mana requirement means the card might be challenging to cast in a timely fashion, especially in multi-colored decks that might not always have the right mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Veteran Cathar has decent capabilities, its combined mana cost of three, including one green and one white, is significant. In a fast-paced game, there are more cost-efficient creatures that could potentially provide greater value or comparable effects for less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Veteran Cathar in Your Collection
Versatility: Veteran Cathar’s ability to grant humans you control double strike makes it a flexible pick for any human-centric deck. Moreover, it’s not tied to a specific color combo as it provides a color-fixing ability, allowing you to adapt your strategy on the go.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that can take advantage of double strike, potentially pairing with cards that boost attack power or provide additional combat phases to maximize damage.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts and human decks become more prevalent, Veteran Cathar can serve as an essential piece in combat-centric decks, able to turn the tide with its powerful keyword ability.
How to beat
Veteran Cathar presents a solid challenge on the battlefield when playing MTG. This human soldier lends its might to other humans, granting double strike as a formidable ability. However, like any card, the right strategy can turn the tide. Managing your removal spells efficiently is key. Save instant-speed removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile for when your opponent commits to using Veteran Cathar’s ability, minimizing the impact of double strike. Another tactic is to deal with Veteran Cathar through board wipes like Day of Judgment, which ignore individual abilities and clear the board entirely.
Control decks can keep Veteran Cathar at bay by countering it upon casting. This requires keen awareness of your opponent’s mana and timing your responses appropriately. If combat tricks are more your style, plan ahead by incorporating cards like Fog, which can nullify a turn’s worth of double strike damage. Lastly, remember that Veteran Cathar thrives in a deck focused on human synergy. Disrupting that synergy through cards like Crippling Chill or Icy Manipulator could significantly reduce the effectiveness of not just the Cathar, but the entire strategic framework it operates within.
Regardless of the approach you choose, understanding Veteran Cathar’s strengths and the structure it supports will play a crucial role in crafting a successful counter-strategy and maintaining control of the game.
Cards like Veteran Cathar
Veteran Cathar is a distinctive creature in MTG, offering not only strength on the battlefield but also strategic versatility. Comparable to cards like Silverflame Squire, Veteran Cathar provides a similar boost to fellow creatures. While Silverflame Squire’s ‘On Alert’ ability can only target one other creature, Veteran Cathar allows you to potentially strengthen two creatures with its human-boosting ability, if you control both a Human and a non-Human creature.
Another card in the conversation is Hamlet Captain. Just like our Cathar, it too can enhance your creatures, but unlike Veteran Cathar, Hamlet Captain’s benefit is limited to when it attacks or blocks and to other Human creatures you control. This can be a limitation during gameplay, especially when compared to the immediate impact Veteran Cathar can offer regardless of the combat phase.
Ultimately, the applicability of Veteran Cathar in your deck hinges on the synergies with your existing creatures, boasting an effectiveness particularly in decks that leverage both Human and diverse creature types. This multi-tone aspect of the card makes it a valuable ally in MTG matches.
Cards similar to Veteran Cathar by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Veteran Cathar MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Veteran Cathar 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 MTG Products
Printings
The Veteran Cathar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Deruchenko Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 225 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Veteran Cathar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
