Triton Cavalry MTG Card


Triton Cavalry - Journey into Nyx
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Soldier
Abilities Heroic
Released2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameJourney into Nyx
Set codeJOU
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number55
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byKev Walker

Key Takeaways

  1. Disrupt opponents and gain advantage by returning enchantments or creatures with Triton Cavalry’s ability.
  2. Efficient resource acceleration through synergy with Heroic and enchantment strategies.
  3. Instant speed activation allows strategic flexibility and optimal mana usage each turn.

Text of card

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Triton Cavalry, you may return target enchantment to its owner's hand.

The tritons broke the surface, and the Nyxborn broke ranks.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Triton Cavalry offers the ability to return enchantments or creatures with enchantments to their owner’s hand, putting you in a favorable position by disrupting your opponents’ board and gaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s synergy with Heroic and enchantment-based strategies can lead to a snowballing effect, allowing faster deployment of subsequent spells by efficiently utilizing your existing resources.

Instant Speed: The Cavalry’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react to threats or opportunities on the battlefield dynamically, effectively using your mana each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Triton Cavalry’s abilities often hinge on the synergy with enchantments, leading players to potentially discard valuable cards to fulfill its requirements. This can result in a decrease in hand advantage which is a serious consideration in resource-heavy games.

Specific Mana Cost: Triton Cavalry demands both blue and generic mana for casting, which might not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that are stretched for mana consistency. Players might find it challenging to utilize this card in decks that are not heavily blue-centric.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its stats and effect, Triton Cavalry competes with other creatures and spells in the four-mana slot. Players must weigh its utility against other options that might provide more immediate or impactful board presence.


Reasons to Include Triton Cavalry in Your Collection

Versatility: Triton Cavalry’s ability to return a target enchantment to its owner’s hand when activated makes it a valuable tool in decks focusing on enchantment synergies, as well as playing defensively by disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works well in combinations that capitalize on repeatedly casting spells or reusing enter-the-battlefield effects, adding layers of complexity and tactics to your gameplay experience.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where enchantments play a significant role, having Triton Cavalry can give you an edge by offering both board presence and enchantment management, making it a relevant choice in various meta scenarios.


How to beat

Triton Cavalry can be a tricky card to circumvent in a game of Magic: The Gathering due to its unique ability to return target enchantment you control to its owner’s hand, potentially unwinding an opponent’s strategy. This blue creature can be particularly problematic if it repeatedly recycles beneficial enchantments with enter-the-battlefield effects. To counter it effectively, consider using removal spells that specifically target creatures, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can eliminate the Cavalry before its ability becomes a recurrent issue.

Additionally, spells that can counter creature spells or abilities, like Negate or Stifle, are excellent ways of preventing Triton Cavalry from ever hitting the board or using its ability. Don’t overlook the importance of board wipes, such as Wrath of God, which can clear the field of creatures like Triton Cavalry without targeting them directly, circumventing any protective measures such as hexproof or shroud they might have. It’s essential to stay ahead of your opponent by maintaining control of the board and promptly dealing with the Cavalry to preserve your strategy.


Cards like Triton Cavalry

Triton Cavalry is an intriguing creature card that finds its place in Magic: The Gathering decks focusing on abilities being used as tactical tools during gameplay. It draws comparison to cards like Aether Adept, which similarly has the potential to disrupt opponent’s strategies by returning creatures to their owner’s hand. Aether Adept lacks the ability to do so multiple times, putting Triton Cavalry ahead for those who can reliably trigger its heroic ability.

Another card worth mentioning is Man-o’-War, a classic creature that also bounces other creatures back to the hand. The distinctive difference is that Man-o’-War doesn’t require the triggering of an ability, thus offering bounce potential immediately upon its entry to the battlefield. Despite this, Triton Cavalry provides repeatable utility that can be harnessed turn after turn with the right deck synergies.

While analyzing the nuances and comparing similar creature cards within this theme, Triton Cavalry excels in decks that revolve around casting multiple spells and leveraging heroic triggers. Its repetitive use capability can provide lasting control, distinguishing it among its creature-based bounce spell counterparts.

Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - Magic 2011 (M11)
Man-o'-War - Visions (VIS)

Cards similar to Triton Cavalry by color, type and mana cost

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Johnny, Combo Player - Unhinged (UNH)
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Crookclaw Transmuter - Time Spiral (TSP)
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Glen Elendra Archmage - Eventide (EVE)
Fatestitcher - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Argent Sphinx - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Triton Cavalry MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Triton Cavalry and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Triton Cavalry has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.

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