Hero of the Pride MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cat Soldier
Released	2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set name	Theros Beyond Death
Set code	THB
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	22
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wisnu Tan

Key Takeaways

Hero of the Pride optimizes synergy in creature-focus decks for an overall strategic card advantage.
Its ability to amplify combat tricks can strategically surprise opponents and sway the game.
The card’s presence in decks strengthens spell-triggered interactions, boosting numerous creatures.

Text of card

Whenever you cast a spell that targets Hero of the Pride, creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn.

Leonin fight for neither god nor polis; their loyalty is to their pride.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Hero of the Pride does not directly let you draw additional cards, it synergizes well with other cards that benefit from creature spells being cast. By playing creatures that draw a card upon entering the battlefield or when triggering heroic abilities, you can contribute to overall card advantage in your deck.

Resource Acceleration: While Hero of the Pride isn’t a traditional resource accelerator, its low mana cost can be seen as a form of acceleration, allowing you to develop your board presence quickly and efficiently. This economic casting cost makes it easier to cast multiple spells in a single turn.

Instant Speed: Hero of the Pride’s power lies in its ability to amplify the effects of instants and sorceries that target it. Playing combat tricks at instant speed can turn it into a larger threat in combat, potentially swinging the game in your favor by taking opponents by surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As a relatively simple creature, Hero of the Pride does not need to require a discard cost to cast, making it a straightforward play for those looking to preserve their hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This feline warrior comes with both a white mana cost and a generic mana cost. This limit to white mana can restrict its inclusion only to decks that run white or have a suitable mana base to consistently cast white spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though the mana cost isn’t steep, players might consider it high for a 2/2 creature. While it does have an ability to boost other creatures during spells, in a fast-paced game, players often look for more impactful creatures or abilities at a similar or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Hero of the Pride in Your Collection

Versatility: Hero of the Pride serves as an excellent addition to decks looking to capitalize on creature synergies, particularly those involving white creatures or spells that trigger upon casting a noncreature spell. Its flexible nature allows it to fit into a range of strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works wonders in combinations, especially in decks that leverage “heroic” mechanics or spells that target creatures. The power to bolster other creatures whenever you cast a spell can quickly turn the tide of a match in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to scale with spellcasting, it pairs well with decks focused on spell-slinging or “go-wide” strategies, making it a practical choice in various play environments.

How to beat

Confronting Hero of the Pride on the battlefield requires tactical awareness and precision. This staple of White creature decks adds a strategic component with its ability to buff other creatures whenever you cast a spell that targets it. To effectively counter this, control strategies that minimize the number of spells you cast during your opponent’s turn can be quite effective. This way, the prowess-like benefit of the Hero is undercut.

Spot removal spells are your best friend here, as they can remove the Hero before it begins to influence the board state significantly. Simple and direct removal actions like Shock or Fatal Push can be used efficiently and, given their low mana cost, can help maintain your own tempo while disrupting your opponent’s plans.

Furthermore, board wipes are another avenue to consider. A well-timed Wrath of God or Shatter the Sky can clear the board of not just the Hero of the Pride, but also any creatures that may have benefited from its ability. By understanding the mechanics at play and utilizing the right mix of removal and control, Hero of the Pride becomes a manageable challenge on your path to victory.

Cards like Hero of the Pride

The Hero of the Pride presents itself as a trusted ally in the pantheon of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison can be drawn to cards like Elite Vanguard, which shares the same cost and strength as Hero of the Pride but without the added ability to empower others during combat. This simple Soldier creature is nothing more than its power and toughness, providing no extra utility to the table.

On the other hand, we see the Concordia Pegasus, a creature that offers flying for the same overall mana cost. Although the Hero of the Pride lacks this evasive quality, it compensates by having a passive ability that boosts your other creatures during your spellslinger turns. It becomes clear that Hero of the Pride, while modest in power, offers a tactical advantage in decks that seek to swarm the opponent with numerous creatures.

Ultimately, Hero of the Pride makes for a strategic piece in decks that favor the go-wide strategy. It stands out by augmenting your other creatures’ strength, subtly tipping the scale in your favor during combat, especially when compared to similar cost creatures that lack such synergistic potential.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hero of the Pride MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Hero of the Pride and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hero of the Pride has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hero of the Pride card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2020-01-24	An ability that triggers when you cast a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-01-24	If you cast a spell that targets this creature multiple times, this ability triggers just once.
2020-01-24	This ability doesn’t trigger if you copy a spell that targets it, or if a spell’s targets are changed to target it.
2020-01-24	This effect affects only creatures you control at the time the ability resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t get +1/+0.