Magic Deck Vortex: Top Soldiers

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(OLD) MDV Creature Feature - Ahead of the Rest: Top 30 Soldiers . - by Streetz - posted 7/7/03 - discuss here

Of all the top 30 lists I have done so far, this one was, by far, the most challenging. I had to rework the list several times until I felt comfortable with the final rankings. There were a few cards I wanted to make the list, but didn't, so I had to expand the honorable mention section from 12 cards to 18. As of today, the honorable mentions have been posting and most of them have one or more which to view for the particular card.

To the right: The picture shown here is of the Noble Templar from the Scourge set in the Onslaught block. The art is by Alex Horley-Orlandelli and is by far an excellent piece of work.

Many of the cards below are well known and staple cards in decks other than soldier theme decks. Don't be surprised when you get to the top 10 and say to yourself, "DUH!... I could of guessed that one," because your right. I did throw a few curves balls in the mix, which I note. Most likely I was simply biased with regard to that card and wanted it in the list. If you have an alternate listing for the Soldiers, let me know and email me: streetz@magicdeckvortex.com. One person e-mailed me and found it extremely shocking that the number one card was a ... well... read on to find out. If you strongly disagree with any of the choices, let me know what you would have rated them as. Perhaps I could use your insight to rate the next top 30 listing.

In the top 30, there were 23 white cards, two red cards, 1 green card, 2 gold cards, 2 blue cards and no black cards. One black card almost made the top 30, but missed it by less than 5 slots. To give you a feel of the color totals for soldiers there are 116 white, 19 blue, 5 green, 15 red, 4 black and 5 gold soldiers. Remember, this does not include Portal 2 or 3. Moving on....

It was interesting for me to review all of the soldiers as I was reminded of several really nifty cards, like the Icatian Javelineer and Kjeldoran Home Guard. Neither of those cards made the top 30, but they have mechanics that are interesting. The soldiers, I think, have the most diverse mechanics of all the creature types. For instance, the Opportunist: tap to deal a point of damage to a creature already dealt damage. It is neat, interesting, but not popular and thus never reworked for another card (yet). This is seen throughout many of the cards. If you think about it, this makes sense. In real life there are so many different military sanctions: medical, technilogical, covert, machine operators, strategists, etc.

Again, please note that I didn't include Portal Second or Third Age in the list. The list of 160+ soldiers was already large enough.. so I figured I would just skip those cards and make the review a little easier for myself. Call me lazy. But let me say putting these pages together is a lot of work (2-3 days not counting research and deck finding).

Soldiers of all types, big & small, good & really good, made the cut...

#30: Staunch Defenders
Combo-licious this card is... and it sure works well with Astral Slide decks. This uncommon card which originated from Tempest has made it through the ages and into Eighth Edition with perseverance. Here is a deck that uses this 3/4, well costed life-gainer.

#29: Goblin Legionnaire
First, this 2/2 only costs two mana. That is good. Then, lets look at its versatility... prevent two damage or deal two damage. That is nothing to scoff at... then there is the fact that you can sacrifice the goblin soldier without tapping it. That is the topping for this cake. Check out this deck to see him in action.

#28: Enlistment Officer
While this guy is only good in a Soldier deck, he sure likes to draw you cards so long as they are soldiers in the top four cards of your deck. The fact that he is a 2/3 first-striker doesn't hurt either.

#27: Femeref Archers
You will find a lot of casting-cost bargains on this list, and the Femeref archers are one of them. 2/2 for 3 mana and the ability to known down a Serra Angel is a great bargain. Femeref Archer is a way to replace those Hurricanes in your deck while adding more creatures. Here's a deck.

#26: Sanctum Guardian
I really like this guy. He is 1/4. 1/4 can block quite a few creatures in the beginning and stay alive. The reason this guy made the top 30 is because you can sack him without paying anything and without tapping to prevent all damage from one source. Quite the guardian. I don't have any decks that feature him, but he is in this deck here.

#25: Phantom Flock
While you could have a 4/4 flying Serra Angel for the same mana, Phantom Flock has its uses.. especially against burn. These bad birds have a a third of the lives of a cat and are tough to beat down short of a terror. Phantom Flock can be found is a deck called: In Good Spirits.

#24: Noble Templar
Astral Dawn is a deck I made to utilize Pariah and Dawn Elemental, but I was looking for a way to fill a mana spot and a creature spot. Noble Templar fits that whole with Plainscycling and isn't shabby for a 2/6 creature which doesn't tap to attack. Noble Templar will find a place in many white decks in the future.

#23: Catapult Master
Catapult master is cool. But its only cool. Its difficult to master short of an infinite loop and Mobilization. If you do manage to make use of this sling shot guru, and make use of him well, let me know! In the meantime, here is a 'cool' deck with a 'cool' Lord.

#22: Possessed Aven
I liked this guy.. and wanted him in the top ten just because I thought the artwork was cool. Actually, he is a 3/3 flyer for 2UU, which is nice, and can become 4/4 with flying which can kill blue creatures. Combine this with the Blind Seer, and you have control of the board.

#21: Intrepid Hero
A constant Reprisal with no activation cost (except tapping your hero). While the Hero is fragile as a 1/1 soldier, cards like Aven Brigadier and Daru Warchief can help him out a bit. Intrepid Hero combos very very well with Thran Weaponry or that Nantuko guy who gives a creature +3/+3. Check this deck out.

#20: Gravel Slinger
Surprise is the key to this cards success. Having morph is nice, but when you can Unmorph him for 1W to tap him and deal that seventh point of damage to your opponent's Thorn Elemental and kill it. Let's just hope he doesn't have any regeneration tricks up his sleeve.. but I digress. Here is a deck which features the Gravel Slinger.

#19: Stoic Champion
This top 30 list is full of 2/2 creatures for WW or whatever.. but this guy is great. Let's see, I cycle a Secluded Steppe with Astral Slide in play and remove one of my opponent's creatures temporarily from the game... then cycle Sunfire Balm and do the same thing to another. Then I attack with a 6/6 soldier known as Stoic Champion. Nice. Here's the deck.

#18: Cloudreach Cavalry
Okay, so the Cavalry doesn't get +2/+2 for each card you cycle, but he has more uses in any deck as opposed to just an Astral Slide deck. For 1W for get a 1/1.. but say you cast a Suntail Hawk on turn one, you get a 3/3 flying soldier for only 1W. This is great, especially since it fits the mana curve of a White Weenie deck perfectly. Here's you deck!

#17: Reborn Hero
White get recursion? On a creature? Hmmm... I guess so. While the reborn hero wasn't as tourney worthy as I might of thought, it is still a great card. It doesn't tap to attack and its a 2/2 for 2W. The only thing is that threshold is a must if you want to put this Hero back into play. Here's a deck for you.

#16: Deftblade Elite
The art is cool. ... ...

....

Provoke is neat too. This deck is even "neater". Another? And another...

#15: Shock Troops
A bigger Mogg Fanatic. Too bad is costs so much. However, if you look at it, you are getting a good deal with a tap to activate. A normal 2/2 would cost red 2R. A shock would cost R. So this should cost 2RR or 4R. Instead, you get a common which is 3R and a nifty ability. Some might strongly disagree with my choice here, but here is a deck anyway.

#14: Major Teroh
Mind Bend... Sway of Illusion? Hmmm, I see combos in the future for this bird commander. I mean Major. Major Teroh is definitely a great card with the proper support, but unfortunately, this guy only say play is bird theme decks. Yeah... Battle Screech... I think he is tired of all the same-old, same-old. Speaking of such, here's an exciting deck for you.

#13: Aven Brigadier
Rather expensive, but how many other cards in Magic are tribal for two tribes? Birds and Soldiers... This brings this guy to the #13 slot and we are getting closer and closer to number one... assuming you haven't cheated and already looked there. Here's a deck or two using the big bad bird. If he was yellow, we could call him BIG BIRD.

#12: Crossbow Infantry
Why is this guy better than Gravel Slinger? Mana costs, baby. For the longest time, the D'Avenant Archers were this precursor, and boy did that card suck. You got almost the same thing for 2W. 1W fits better in the mana curve of a weenie deck and the 3 slots can sometimes be overcrowded. Here's a deck for you to look at...

#11: Soltari Emissary
Shadow is like flying, except it is limited to one block of cards. So, as a casual player, this card is great when you can enchant it with Endless Scream and make it a 10/1... and then spend one white mana to make it shadow and given the circumstance, make it unblockable.

#10: Gustcloak Savior
Sadly enough, I only own none of this guy and personally, I think the mechanic here is so cool. Before the Gustcloak creatures from the Onslaught Block, there were the Silkenfist .. and they were not nearly as powerful as thus.

#9: Soltari Guerillas
What, you ask? Another dud on the list? Nope. This is a great Shadow creature with power and tricks. You will always have the option to deal that damage to any creature if you attack and aren't blocked. Shadow helps the 'not being blocked' part. Now, if only this guy could de-shadow itself (kind of like the Emissary, #11), then we would have a greater card.

#8: Daru Warchief
Its what the Aven Brigadier wishes he could be... cheaper and better. This funny looking Chief makes your Intrepid Hero 2/3 and could make the Brigadier 2WWW to cast instead of its more expensive play cost. I think this guy would chant something like: "Be... all that you can be... I'm a smarmy..." ... personal humor.. moving on.. here is a deck for you: Brigadier Brigade.

#7: Whip Sergeant
To be honest, almost all of the red soldiers are unique but terribly over costed or just stupid, with few exceptions. This is one. This is Fervor as a creature... or this is Fires of Yavimaya with the sacking ability. He's only 2/1, but I would much rather have him on the board that Fervor. Add Giant Strength to him, whatever makes you happy. The fact is he can give any creature haste for only one mana. The only other creature like him is Battle Rampart, except the wall has to tap to do this... the Sergeant doesn't. Here's a spiffy deck for you.

#6: Ironfist Crusher
Rumor has it that this guy is seen walking at night with Sandskin on... and the sight isn't pretty. Morph and the ability to block any number of creatures... this is why he made the #6 slot. I think Wizards should have made him a 2/5, but 2/4 is good enough for me. He is mainly a combo card...

#5: Master Decoy/ Benalish Trapper
Essentially, both are the same card. Sometimes, when you can't remove a card from the board, tapping it will do. With hoards of white weenies on your side, and a few Trappers or Decoys, you could easily win by simply smashing your opponent since you can tap their blockers. Here's a deck for you!

#4: Commander Eesha
I am so glad WotC decided to hire Rebecca Guay back onto the team of Magic: the Gathering artists.. but this has nothing to do with the placement of Eesha. Everything about this card is great, flying, 2/4, 2WW, and last but not least, the protection from creatures. No creature can damage her, target her, or even talk to her. Forget about those Blaze and terror cards... she'll just stare at you an die. Okay, so she is penetrable, but being unblockable is by far an awesome ability. If the card cost 1 less, it would be perfect. Here's a deck for you.

#3: Longbow Archer
Almost the best white two drop in the history of magic... First Strike, 2/2 and the ability to block flying. This card has been the staple in many of the white weenie decks that made it to nationals since Visions (the set it originated from). Below is a small list of decks which use the Longbow Archer:

#2: Metathran Soldier
There are only two unblockable soldiers, Metathran Soldiers and Metathran Elite (both of which are from the Urza's Block). This guy is a bit more efficient than the other since you don't have to enchant him to make him unblockable. An unblockable soldier is priceless, especially when you enchant it with say Alpha Status and you playing a THEME: Soldier deck. Below is a list is of the decks using Metathran Soldier:

Shadow Ops: A red/blue soldier theme deck. It's not terribly good, but it uses many of the unique soldiers from the two colors.
Red Bull: Another red/blue deck with cards like Arcane Teachings, Illuminated Wings and Rayne, Academy Chancellor. The deck is actually based around Stone Spirit. Hmmm.
Aura Spells: A mono-blue deck loaded with fun enchant creatures and the Soldiers buddy, the Elite. Curiosity and Sigil of Sleep are accompanied by cards like Aura Craft and Rayne. This makes for a fun deck for you, and annoying deck for your opponent.

#1: Whipcorder
Okay, I said there was an almost best white two-drop card.. well this is the best in my opinion. Whipcorder made an impact on the scene the minute people heard of the card. While white weenie may not be the strongest right now, the decks that are floating around are utilizing the Whipcorder. The Whipcorder has morph, costs only WW for 2/2, and can tap a creature for W. He has surprise, a good casting cost, and a great ability. Just wait until Savannah Lions becomes available to T2. Here is a small list of decks using this TOP 30 LIST'S best card:

Honorable Mention.

#32: Dauthi Slayer
This guy is like a persistent black shock if your opponent doesn't have any shadow creatures out. Shadow was an excellent ability that haunts casual players even today. This guy is 2/2 for BB and attacks each turn if able. Not back for a soldier. Here's a deck.. and another!

#34: Ranger en-Vec
First-Strike and regeneration. Perhaps this one should have placed 24th or something. However, as good as he may be he rarely saw play in tournaments and in casual play (at least around me). However, here's a deck with him in it.

#38: Veteran Brawlers
Gotta love 2 drops which are 4/4... they always have some drastic drawback, but this one is workable. Obviously as I have three decks on this site which use the big boys. Here is one, and the other, and the last.

#41: Veteran Explorer
While he looks more like my library's reference desk attendant, it is still a soldier with an interesting ability to find lands in all players libraries and put them into play. Thinning out the library was never so easy... of course, then you have to deal with your opponent's mana acceleration. Here's a few decks: Evil Cartmen, Feed off the People and Battle Tactics.

#51: Gerrard's Irregulars
Oooh, a tweaked Ball lightning that stays in play and that can be fit into any deck since it costs 4R. If only it didn't cost so much, it would truly be a great card. This doesn't mean it isn't a good common, as here are a few decks using the not so regular soldiers: Blitzkrieg Bop. Okay, so I only have one. Oh well.

#51: Aven Warhawk
Warhawk isn't overcosted if you look at the potential it has in a soldier theme deck loaded with lots of soldier cards. For 5 mana, you could have a 6/6 flying bird soldier. not bad for 5 mana. Anyway, here is a deck.

#56: Keldon
One of the many amazing creatures from the Masques block is the Keldon Berserker, who suddenly becomes a 5/3 for only 4 mana if you control no untapped lands. Amazing and great for Chimeric-Idol beatdown. Here's a deck for you.

#69: Elite Javelineer
Kill a ball lightning before it deals it damage.. can it be done? Yup, especially if you announce the Elite Javelineer as a blocker. This is a nifty mechanic that I love to see developed by WotC. Perhaps we might but in the meantime, here is a deck for you.

#74: Keldon Firebombers
Here's a nice way to shut down high casting cost decks, limit the land they have in play. Short of a Mirari's Wake, Mana Flare or Elves, they will be screwed... and you get a 3/3 soldier out of the card. Interesting, unique and potent. Here is a deck or two.

#78: Icatian
It's white Mogg Fanatic, Except you get to keep the creature and sac the javelin. Not bad. I am extremely surprised that this card didn't see more use in the earlier days of Magic... although I guess the public views of white in the Fallen Empires era were "White Knight" - "Mesa Pegasus." How things have changed! Here's a deck for you.

#89: Icatian Lieutenant
The first card in magic to have an ability targeting only soldiers is this one. The ability itself isn't game breaking as it is terribly overcosted, but useful. Combine with Heartstone and now you have a nice card. Here is a deck using the lieutenant.

#96: Daru Cavalier
One of the few white cards to have the 'sentinel' mechanic, Daru Cavalier is overcosted by well combo'd with cards like Aven Warhawk which have amplify. This card is unique and interesting, but difficult to fit into a deck with such a high casting cost. Here is a deck using it.

#114: Jungle Patrol
It's green spiny starfish.. sort of... This card had to make the honorable mention since it is a soldier that generates creatures. They are only 0/1 wall creatures, but hey, you can use the Patrol to use them for fires and get a red mana out of the deal. Not bad, but I have yet to find a deck using them! Wait, here's one.

#121: Aerial Caravan
Mind's Desire minus the storm as a 4/3 flying creature with an extremely high casting cost. I am sure it has its uses, although I always passed it up in my binder when I was making a deck. However, its ability is unique and can be used multiple times since you don't have to tap it. Not bad. Here's a deck using it.

#129: Trap Digger
This card was named after the mechanic that it emulates: Pit Trap. Essentially, it turns any of your lands into a pit trap. However, if the Trap Digger leaves play then you have to wait until you get another one into play to sacrifice the land for its potential effect. Kind of cool if you ask me.

#133: Swooping Talon
This guy made the honorable mention because it is one of the few and maybe the only (I have to check) creature that has flying can not have flying for only one mana. This works very well with the provoke ability. Did I mention this guy is 2/6. That is great since it can stay alive against many of the blockers picked with provoking.

#142: Trap Runner
Essentially, this card can block anything without actually blocking it. It keeps non-trampling creatures from dealing damage to you, which is nice. If only it negated trampling. Also, it activates any "when blocked" abilities which could be a good thing, or a bad thing. With regard to a Metathran Soldier, it works wonders!

#146: Dream Fighter
A temporary fix to a big problem. Since Dream fighter phases itself and the creature blocked or blocking, neither deal any damage. You want to attack me with your Thorn Elemental? Ok. I'll block with the Dreamer and then see your 7 damage go bye bye until next turn when I'll do the same thing. Great. Unfortunately, the dream fighter is limited in use and can only take care of one creature at a time... unless you give it the ability to block any number of creatures. Then we are talking about a GREAT card. Here's a deck.

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