Sunlit Hoplite MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set name	Theros Beyond Death
Set code	THB
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	273
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tomasz Jedruszek

Key Takeaways

Sunlit Hoplite’s low cost accelerates your strategy for a swift board presence.
The card’s demand for white mana limits its deck versatility.
As a pressure tool, it shines in aggressive tactics and enchantment synergetic decks.

Text of card

As long as it's your turn, Sunlit Hoplite has first strike. Sunlit Hoplite gets +1/+0 as long as you control an Elspeth planeswalker.

"Even in her absence, the light Elspeth kindled in our hearts never faltered."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a piece in your strategy, Sunlit Hoplite can provide an edge by offering consistent pressure on your opponent. While the card itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its presence can potentially stretch the opponent’s resources thin, indirectly contributing to card advantage as they’re forced to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: Although Sunlit Hoplite doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens, its low casting cost aids in resource acceleration by efficiently utilizing mana. This allows for a quicker deployment of threats on the board and can lead your strategy to ramp up more swiftly compared to your adversary.

Instant Speed: While Sunlit Hoplite is a creature card and not played at instant speed, the dynamics it creates may encourage an opponent to think twice about using their instants. Knowing that Sunlit Hoplite might capitalize on any openings can turn it into an indirect deterrence, thereby impacting the speed at which your opponent can safely act during critical moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Sunlit Hoplite demands a sacrifice of a card from your hand, which might trim down your strategic options, specifically in the later stages when every card in hand is critical for victory.

Specific Mana Cost: This card is tailored for a niche, with a mana cost demanding white mana, potentially complicating its integration into multicolored decks that may struggle for the right mana combination.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Sunlit Hoplite comes with a lofty mana requirement for its abilities. Other cards in a similar mana range could offer greater board presence or more robust effects, making it a tough sell in a competitive environment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sunlit Hoplite offers a seamless fit into white weenie and heroic decks, as it can function both as an early game threat and a beneficial target for auras and buffs.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with ways to dish out +1/+1 counters or enchantments, potentially unlocking powerful synergies within a focused strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that favors aggressive play, Sunlit Hoplite can be a cost-effective creature that applies early pressure, making it relevant in a variety of competitive settings.

How to beat

Sunlit Hoplite presents a challenge for players looking to maintain board control in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that can potentially grow stronger with enchantments and devotion to white, overcoming it requires strategic planning. A timely removal spell could manage the Hoplite before it gains momentum, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, both disruptive against early creatures.

Enchantment removal like Disenchant or Naturalize can also be invaluable, stripping away buffs that turn the Hoplite into a larger threat. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation remain effective tools, resetting the board and nullifying any enchantment synergies. It’s also wise to anticipate and counter the auras or enchantment spells that could target Sunlit Hoplite, preventing its empowerment in the first place.

Ultimately, maintaining card advantage and efficient removal will consistently undermine the Hoplite’s potential. The key is to act swiftly before your opponent can build a formidable presence around this synergistic creature. By doing so, you’ll keep the board in your favor and negate the risks that Sunlit Hoplite poses to your strategy in the game.

Cards like Sunlit Hoplite

Sunlit Hoplite is a notable entry in the roster of creature cards. As a warrior, it bears a resemblance to other low-cost creatures that are geared towards aggressive playstyles. For instance, Favored Hoplite, also a one-mana cost soldier from an earlier set stands out with similar heroics, though it doesn’t share the emphasis on enchantments.

Another comparable card is Akroan Skyguard, which, like Sunlit Hoplite, benefits significantly from enchantments, growing stronger with each aura or enchantment equipped. However, it starts out as a flyer, which provides it with an immediate advantage in evasion. Comparatively, Sunlit Hoplite needs to unlock its potential by having an enchantment added. Elite Inquisitor also comes to mind with a strong starting presence and added protections, though at a higher casting cost.

When examining the dynamics and the particular niche of creatures that synergize with enchantments in a White-based deck, Sunlit Hoplite offers a strategic early game presence that can swiftly become a threat if paired with the right enchantments. This synergy makes it a card that can’t be overlooked when considering an enchantment-heavy deck.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sunlit Hoplite 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 Sunlit Hoplite and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sunlit Hoplite 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
Timeless	Legal