This guy would have been good with just first
strike. He's very similar to Paladin en-Vec from
core sets past, only with pro:green instead of
pro:red. Since red was more likely to try to
kill him outside of combat, he got compensated
with an extra strike. Double strike is an
inflationary mechanic-- anything that can
increase a creature's power works amazingly with
double strike. That's why pro:green is so much
worse than pro:red would have been-- Mirran
Crusader can't be targeted by Giant Growth and
the like. It does work phenomenally with any
power-increasing Equipment, however, and there's
plenty of those around. Even Strider Harness
lets it hit for 6. Darksteel Axe, Sword of Body
and Mind, or Piston Sledge would make it into an
absolute nightmare for the poor sap on the other
side of the table-- especially if he's playing
B/G infect, or Elves.
You know you're old when the first thing you
think of when you see a Magic card is what other
cards it's similar to. Well, at the very least I
felt old when I realized that. Without dropping
too many names, I'll point out that "play a
creature they can't kill and give it some
auras/equipment" is a well-established game
plan, and in an era when the new block's Terror
variant kills almost anything with power and
toughness, Mirran Crusader's protection
abilities make even more of a contrast. If the
more classic sort of white-based aggro deck
wasn't a viable choice before, it most certainly
is now. Be prepared.
Today's card of the day is Mirran Crusader
which is a fantastic three mana 2/2 with Double
Strike, protection from Black, and protection
from Green. An absolute nightmare for
vampire and elf decks and a great target for any
equipment available. Overall a bargain for
the casting cost and worth playing in any White
deck that can fit it in, even if just for the
sidedeck.
For Limited the double White in the cost is a
noticeable drawback that may keep it from
reaching the battlefield on the third turn with
a bad draw, but the sheer offensive and
defensive power makes it worth it.
Worth the first pick in Booster both for your
deck and to keep it away from an opponent and
should probably be hate drafted in later packs
if you are running Black or Green. For
Sealed if your pool can support a primarily
White mana base then this should definitely be
in your deck.
It can't be splashed, so the dedication is
needed to get this into play. In either
format any equipments gain additional value when
targeting this and should be drafted
accordingly.
Today’s Mirran week card of
the day is the Mirran Crusader from Mirrodin
Besieged. You cast Mirran Crusader with two
white mana and one generic mana. The Mirran
Crusader has Double Strike and protection from
both of Phyrexia’s main colors, black and green.
The Mirran Crusader is a 2/2.
The Mirran Crusader is an instant staple in most current standard
decks. Combined with Battle Cry, this guy sure
knows how to pack a punch. And with the
protection, he should be feasting upon Phyrexian
decks. The addition of Hero of Oxid Ridge could
send this guy straight through other unprepared
decks, and have them begging for mercy. The Hero
of Oxid Ridge prevents creatures with power one
or less from blocking.
In more extended formats, such as vintage, this guy gets even
crazier. Armored Ascension pumps this guy big
time, and gets him airborne. Add in some ways of
evasion, for instance, giving him protection
from whatever other color you are up against,
and watch him destroy your opponent. And of
course making him vigilant and lifelink wouldn’t
hurt things either.
All in all, a very versatile card that I expect to see
running around tournaments and casual play for a
long time to come.
