Aysen Crusader MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 4
2008-09-22 - Number 7
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 2+* |
| Toughness | 2+* |
Key Takeaways
- The card thrives in enchantment-heavy decks, offering substantial board presence and threat scaling.
- Aysen Crusader’s mana cost and color commitment may limit its versatility in multicolored decks.
- Efficient removal strategies are key to countering the mounting power of Aysen Crusader in play.
Text of card
Aysen Crusader has power and toughness each equal to 2 plus the number of Heroes you control.
"A renegade rallying the rabble does not a true Crusader make." —Irini Sengir
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aysen Crusader’s ability to grow in power with each Aura attached enhances its board presence, translating into potential card advantage. By leveraging its increasing strength, you can pressure your opponent and force them to deal with a single threat that’s difficult to ignore.
Resource Acceleration: This card can synergize with decks focusing on enchantments, acting as an engine to compound the benefits of each Aura played. In essence, the resource acceleration comes from the efficiency of bolstering a single, resilient creature rather than deploying multiple threats.
Instant Speed: Although Aysen Crusader itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its interactions with auras that can be attached at instant speed enable surprise shifts in combat dynamics. This can result in advantageous trades or unexpected wins during combat phases.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Aysen Crusader, although there’s no direct discard requirement, its effectiveness is contingent on other cards, particularly other permanents with the same theme or type. Without a supportive environment, its utility diminishes significantly, making it less flexible than more autonomous options.
Specific Mana Cost: Aysen Crusader demands a committed mana base of white; for players running multicolored decks, this can be challenging to accommodate, potentially causing inconsistencies in play. The necessity for double white mana increases the difficulty in casting it on curve in a diverse mana deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its four mana cost, Aysen Crusader’s impact on the game may not correspond to the investment required, especially when compared to other four-mana creatures that could exert more immediate influence on the board state or offer additional abilities at a lower mana value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Aysen Crusader is a versatile addition to decks utilizing a White Weenie or soldier strategy, offering a potent attacker that grows with each Aura equipped.
Combo Potential: Its synergy with enchantments means it can become a formidable threat in combination with cards like Ethereal Armor, effectively turning it into a game-ending powerhouse.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Aysen Crusader stands out as a resilient threat that can quickly outmatch opposing forces, making it a valuable asset in the right meta.
How to beat
Aysen Crusader is a niche yet robust card that can be a formidable presence on the battlefield in the right deck in Magic: The Gathering. Its power increases for each white enchantment you have, making it a potential powerhouse in enchantment-heavy white decks. To topple this holy warrior, consider strategies that reduce the effectiveness of enchantments. Targeted removal spells can be a big help by eliminating key enchantments that boost Aysen Crusader’s strength.
Board wipes are also effective as they can clear away the Crusader along with the amassed enchantments. Alternatively, one could nullify the Crusader’s advantage by employing counterspells, particularly when the opponent is casting enchantments, to prevent the buff from taking place at all. Since Aysen Crusader’s strength lies in the volume of enchantments, keeping the battlefield clean of these permanents is your direct route to negating its power. Engage in a consistent denial of the opponent’s game plan and the Crusader will be much less of a threat.
A balanced approach considering the timing of removals and knowledge of when to hold back or go all in will give you an edge against this intimidating card, ensuring that the Crusader’s crusade is cut short on the field of play.
Cards like Aysen Crusader
Aysen Crusader from Magic: The Gathering echoes the essence of formidable creatures with built-in advantages. It stands in comparison to Silver Knight or White Knight, both of which flaunt protection abilities that make them resilient in battle. Aysen Crusader, however, garners strength from the number of Plains you control, potentially growing into a towering threat. This is reminiscent of White Knight’s potency in mono-white decks but offers a dynamic edge as the game progresses and your land base expands.
Moreover, Assure /// Assemble shares a trait with Aysen Crusader, as it can provide a creature with indestructible, echoing Crusader’s persistent nature on the battlefield. However, Aysen Crusader’s power scales up with land presence, a feature not seen in the instant split card. Finally, consider Knight of the White Orchid, which offers an immediate land advantage when entering the battlefield. While the Knight offers a quick ramp in land count, the Crusader promises long-term offensive supremacy, highlighting diverse approaches within white creature strategy in MTG.
Ultimately, embracing Aysen Crusader in your deck recognizes the merit of a steadily increasing power mechanic, which is well-suited for a strategy that focuses on land control and late-game dominance in MTG play.
Cards similar to Aysen Crusader by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aysen Crusader MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Masters Edition II, 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 Aysen Crusader 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
Printings
The Aysen Crusader Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by NéNé Thomas.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 4 | 1993 | normal | black | NéNé Thomas | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 7 | 1997 | normal | black | NéNé Thomas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aysen Crusader has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aysen Crusader card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Aysen Crusader’s ability counts the number of permanents you control that are Soldiers and/or Warriors. A permanent with both creature types is counted only once. |
