Akroan Hoplite MTG Card


Akroan Hoplite rewards strategic creature attacks, enabling potential card advantage through combat decisions. The card’s ability to empower other creatures underscores its value in ‘go wide’ strategies and Boros decks. Despite strengths, the Hoplite’s specific mana cost and tactical vulnerabilities may limit its utility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever Akroan Hoplite attacks, it gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the number of attacking creatures you control.

"Fair fight? How could it be a fair fight? We're Akroans. They're not."


Cards like Akroan Hoplite

Akroan Hoplite is an intriguing creature within the pantheon of red-white creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Just like the renowned Hero of Oxid Ridge, Akroan Hoplite thrives in an environment rich with numerous creatures. However, it comes with an advantage for token strategies because it receives its power boost for every attacking creature, not just itself. This differs from Hero of Oxid Ridge, which imparts benefits solely to other attacking creatures through battle cry without boosting itself per individual attack.

Comparable to the Boros Elite, Akroan Hoplite also incarnates the strength-in-numbers theme prevalent in Boros decks but at different segments of the mana curve. While Boros Elite gets a considerable power bump when attacking with two other creatures, Akroan Hoplite scales with each additional attacker regardless of the number, making it a formidable force in large swarms. Another similar card, Honored Crop-Captain, bolsters each attacking creature, including itself, when it attacks, creating a temporary boost in power, but does not benefit from multiple attackers in the same way Akroan Hoplite does.

Ultimately, Akroan Hoplite presents an appealing choice for players who enjoy aggressive strategies and amassing grand armies, offering incremental benefits for each comrade in the fray, potentially leading to a swift victory.

Hero of Oxid Ridge - MTG Card versions
Boros Elite - MTG Card versions
Honored Crop-Captain - MTG Card versions
Hero of Oxid Ridge - MTG Card versions
Boros Elite - MTG Card versions
Honored Crop-Captain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Akroan Hoplite may not draw cards directly, but its ability to encourage efficient combat exchange creates an indirect form of card advantage. Skilled play with this creature can often force unfavorable blocks or discourage attacks, effectively causing your opponent to lose creatures while preserving your own.

Resource Acceleration: While the Akroan Hoplite itself doesn’t provide mana, it enhances your board state by making your attacking force more formidable. Every other attacking creature you control contributes to the Hoplite’s power, which can result in a dramatic and possibly game-ending damage boost without additional mana investment.

Instant Speed: Although the Akroan Hoplite operates at sorcery speed, its presence on the battlefield can be a persistent deterrent. Opponents must constantly consider the potential damage increase during your turn, which can indirectly influence the efficacy of their instant-speed actions and their decisions on how to allocate their own resources during your attacks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Akroan Hoplite powers up with each attacking creature you control, it doesn’t change the fact that in some MTG matchups, fielding a sizable army isn’t viable. In such situations, the discard required to make way for this creature can be detrimental, essentially costing you card advantage without guaranteeing impact on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: Akroan Hoplite demands a precise mana combination to be cast: one red and one white. This specific requirement means it fits strictly into Boros decks or those with a robust mana base, potentially restricting its inclusion in diverse deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Akroan Hoplite’s efficacy is largely dependent on a developed and aggressive board state, its two-mana cost can be steep. There are alternative two-mana creatures that provide immediate value or have built-in mechanics such as haste or evasion, making Akroan Hoplite a less attractive option in certain strategies.


Reasons to Include Akroan Hoplite in Your Collection

Versatility: Akroan Hoplite is a flexible card that can easily be incorporated into a wide range of decks utilizing Red or White colors, particularly those focused on the ‘go wide’ strategy of deploying numerous creatures.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergy with other creatures that boost its power or add to the total number of attacking creatures, amplifying its damage output each time it attacks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with creature-heavy decks, Akroan Hoplite stands out as a valuable asset. It becomes more powerful with each ally that joins the fray, which can quickly tip the scales in your favor during combat.


How to beat

Akroan Hoplite is an intriguing card in MTG, known for its potential to quickly escalate the damage it deals during combat. Its power grows with the number of attacking creatures you have, making it an asset in decks that swarm the battlefield. However, there are strategies to effectively counter it and minimize its impact on the game.

One way to handle Akroan Hoplite is by controlling the number of creatures your opponent can amass. Board clearing spells that wipe out multiple creatures at once are excellent for this, as they can remove the hoplite’s supporting cast and weaken its attack potency. Additionally, spot removal spells are an efficient means to target and eliminate the hoplite before it becomes a substantial threat.

Ensnaring the hoplite with enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking can also be an effective method. These can help immobilize the creature, thus negating its ability to influence the pace of combat. Keeping in mind these strategies will make facing an Akroan Hoplite less daunting and could pave your way to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up our analysis of the Akroan Hoplite, we’ve traversed its strengths and weaknesses, and strategies to excel with or against this MTG card. Recognizing its potential can make it a cornerstone in your Boros deck or an addition to manage when facing one. Whether you’re bulking up your collection or optimizing your gameplay, understanding cards like Akroan Hoplite is crucial. For those aiming to craft a deck with a solid strategy or looking to outmaneuver this relentless fighter in battle, we extend an invitation. Visit us for in-depth insights and tips to enhance your MTG experience and harness the true power of your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Akroan Hoplite MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Akroan Hoplite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Akroan Hoplite Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 1852003NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1972015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13862015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
42020-09-26The ListPLST CN2-1972015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Akroan Hoplite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-15 Count the number of attacking creatures you control when the ability resolves to determine the value of X.
2013-09-15 Once the ability resolves, the bonus won't change even if the number of attacking creatures you control does.