Fiendslayer Paladin MTG Card


Evades common removals, providing card advantage with sustained board presence and continuous value. Lifelink aids in using life as a resource, while its protection can pressure opponents’ resources. Despite the mana cost and non-synergy with discard-focused decks, it’s a formidable collection addition.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities First strike,Lifelink
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)Fiendslayer Paladin can't be the target of black or red spells your opponents control.


Cards like Fiendslayer Paladin

Fiendslayer Paladin shines as a unique figure in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is palpable with knights such as Knight of Grace and Knight of Malice, both brandishing first strike and hexproof from not only a specific color, but they thrive in dual-colored decks, contrasting with Fiendslayer Paladin’s steadfast loyalty to white. Yet, Fiendslayer Paladin distinguishes itself with an inherent resilience to red and black spells, similar to silver-bordered cards that playfully dodge conventional MTG rulesets.

Close in resemblance is Auriok Champion, which also possesses protection from black and red, rendering it elusive against certain removal spells. While the Champion offers life gain for every other creature’s entrance, Fiendslayer Paladin consistently bolsters life totals by connecting with foes. The Paladin’s offensive capability grants it the edge in aggressive strategies over the fundamentally defensive Auriok Champion. Moreover, Mirran Crusader merits mention, boasting double strike and protection from black and green—offering not life gain but potent damage potential against a wider spectrum of decks.

In essence, Fiendslayer Paladin stands out among its peers for its offense-defense balance and strategic value against specific meta-dominant colors, earning its place as a laudable card in Magic: The Gathering’s vast compendium.

Knight of Grace - MTG Card versions
Knight of Malice - MTG Card versions
Auriok Champion - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Knight of Grace - MTG Card versions
Knight of Malice - MTG Card versions
Auriok Champion - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fiendslayer Paladin by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fiendslayer Paladin’s ability to potentially evade common removal spells ensures that it often stays on the battlefield longer than other creatures, indirectly contributing to card advantage. By maintaining a persistent board presence, it provides continuous value over time.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or resource acceleration, Fiendslayer Paladin helps preserve life totals with its lifelink ability. This enables players to use life as a resource more freely for other cards that might cost life points to play or activate.

Instant Speed: Although Fiendslayer Paladin itself is a creature card and doesn’t have flash or an instant-level interaction, its inherent protection against red and black spells allows it to remain a threat during an opponent’s turn, similar to how instant speed spells can be deterrents. This resistance can influence opponents to hold back or waste resources attempting to deal with the Paladin, impacting the pace and resource management in the game.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: The Fiendslayer Paladin requires a precise combination of one white and two generic mana, which can be restrictive if your deck lacks consistent mana fixing or runs multiple colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this card enters the battlefield later than other aggressive one or two-mana cost creatures. In fast-paced games, its cost may present a tempo setback.

Discard Requirement: Although the Fiendslayer Paladin does not have a discard requirement itself, it might not synergize well with decks that focus on discarding as a strategy, effectively making it less versatile in such instances.


Reasons to Include Fiendslayer Paladin in Your Collection

Versatility: The Fiendslayer Paladin is a flexible choice for many white-based decks, bringing a nice balance of offense and defense. Its protection from red and from black means it can hold its own against some of the most common removal spells and creatures found in those colors.

Combo Potential: As a knight, this card fits seamlessly into knight tribal decks and can be paired with various equipment and auras to enhance its combat capabilities. Its lifelink ability also works well with strategies focused on life gain.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive red and black decks, Fiendslayer Paladin shines by dodging many targeted spells and abilities while steadily providing life gain to help outlast opponents. Its first strike ensures that it can effectively block and eliminate smaller threats.


How to beat Fiendslayer Paladin

Fiendslayer Paladin is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that poses a challenge due to its protection from black and from red. This means it can’t be the target of spells or abilities from either of those colors, making it a formidable foe in certain matchups. Players often rely on this knight for its hexproof-like abilities against these colors and its lifelink attribute, which helps maintain a healthy life total.

To effectively counter Fiendslayer Paladin, one must look beyond direct damage or targeted removal spells from the aforementioned color spectrum. Instead, consider universal removals or board wipes such as “Wrath of God” or “Supreme Verdict” that bypass protection abilities. Enchantment-based removals like “Pacifism” or “Detention Sphere” also work well as they don’t specifically target the Paladin but rather affect all creatures or the entire battlefield. Additionally, combat tricks to enhance your creatures can tip the scales during battle phases, neutralizing the Paladin’s impact without having to remove it from the field.

By understanding Fiendslayer Paladin’s strengths and limitations, players can devise strategies that either circumvent its protections or mitigate its life-gaining advantage, thereby reducing the overall threat it poses on the board.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you delve into MTG strategy and collectability, Fiendslayer Paladin stands out as a beacon of resilience against popular red and black decks. Its unique blend of lifelink and protection abilities provides a dual edge in combat and longevity on the battlefield. Thoughtfully integrating this card into your collection enhances both white-centric and knight tribal strategies, offering not just a strong defense but a capable offense as well. To further understand how Fiendslayer Paladin can elevate your MTG experience and to discover nuanced deck-building tactics, join the ranks of informed enthusiasts who make every draw count. Learn more about taking your MTG gameplay to the next level.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fiendslayer Paladin MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, 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 Fiendslayer Paladin and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Fiendslayer Paladin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2017-06-16. Illustrated by Wesley Burt.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-07-19Magic 2014M14 182003NormalBlackWesley Burt
22017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 82015NormalBlackWesley Burt
32020-09-26The ListPLST M14-182003NormalBlackWesley Burt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fiendslayer Paladin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-07-01 Fiendslayer Paladin can be affected by black or red spells that don’t target it. For example, a red spell that “deals 3 damage to each creature” would deal damage to Fiendslayer Paladin.