Knight Exemplar MTG Card


Knight Exemplar enhances Knight decks by making them indestructible, creating a virtually unbreakable defense. Resource acceleration indirectly benefits from sustained offensive and defensive knight capabilities. Its ever-ready effect provides continuous protection without extra mana, bolstering strategy instantaneously.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Knight
Abilities First strike
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) Other Knight creatures you control get +1/+1 and have indestructible. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy them.)

"If you think you are brave enough to walk the path of honor, follow me into the dragon's den."


Cards like Knight Exemplar

When delving into the realm of creature enhancements in Magic: The Gathering, Knight Exemplar stands out as a formidable card, especially among other cards tailored for Knight tribal decks. Its ability to grant other Knight creatures you control indestructible is a powerful asset, reminiscent of the card Avacyn, Angel of Hope, which provides a broader version of this effect by making all permanents you control indestructible. However, Knight Exemplar is narrowly focused and less mana-intensive compared to Avacyn’s eight-mana requirement, making it a cost-effective option for Knight-centric strategies.

Similarly, cards like Adaptive Automaton and Benalish Marshal also compliment tribes as they both offer creature type-specific buffs. Adaptive Automaton can be configured for any creature type, providing additional versatility, but it does not render them indestructible. Benalish Marshal doesn’t add the coveted indestructibility either but offers a static boost to power and toughness to all white creatures you control, making it beneficial in a monochrome white deck.

Each of these cards has its unique advantages, but it’s the allure of indestructibility combined with a significant power boost to Knight creatures that elevates Knight Exemplar in the echelons of tribal support cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Knight Exemplar by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - 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
Sanctum Prelate - 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
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - 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
Sanctum Prelate - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Knight Exemplar is a keystone in any Knight-themed deck, providing a powerful buff by granting other Knights you control indestructible. This characteristic cements a formidable board presence, often saving your key pieces from board wipes and removal, effectively resulting in potential card advantage as your army stays intact.

Resource Acceleration: While Knight Exemplar itself does not directly generate mana or ramp, its ability to protect your creatures allows for sustained attacks and defenses, which can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By preserving your knights, you maintain pressure and resource dominance without having to redeploy resources to the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Knight Exemplar’s static ability means that its indestructible granting effect is always “on,” working much like an ever-present instant. This means that as soon as Knight Exemplar hits the board, your strategy gains immediate resilience, akin to having an unspoken layer of protection that’s always available, no mana reservation necessary.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Knight Exemplar doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, setting up a board where it maximizes its potential often involves playing numerous other knights, which might deplete your hand quickly. This can leave you at a disadvantage if your opponent neutralizes the Exemplar, as you may have little to no backup plays to recover your board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Knight Exemplar requires both white mana to be cast. This specificity can be restrictive, limiting deck-building options and making it potentially challenging to summon in multicolored decks that don’t prioritize white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two white and one colorless, Knight Exemplar is on the higher side for a 2/2 creature. There are instances where players may prefer to cast creatures or spells that impact the board immediately or provide more versatile defense options for the same cost.


Reasons to Include Knight Exemplar in Your Collection

Versatility: Knight Exemplar is a robust inclusion for any deck capitalizing on the Knight tribe. Its ability to provide indestructibility to other Knights allows for powerful synergies across a variety of deck archetypes, ranging from aggro to midrange.

Combo Potential: The Exemplar can be a linchpin in combos, particularly in strategies that rely on other Knights. With its lord effect, it can amplify the impact of each Knight you control, making your board exceptionally resilient and difficult to wipe out.

Meta-Relevance: As metas shift towards board control strategies, Knight Exemplar’s value increases. Its unique protection ability can give your creatures an edge against the prevalent sweepers and spot removal, keeping your Knights in play and maintaining pressure on your opponent.


How to Beat Knight Exemplar

Knight Exemplar stands as a formidable card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to grant other Knight creatures you control indestructible. Overcoming a board where Knight Exemplar is in play requires strategic moves, considering standard removal spells won’t suffice due to its protective aura.

Targeted exile effects or cards that change creature types can disrupt the synergy Knight Exemplar provides. Using board wipes that don’t destroy, but rather change a creature’s fundamental qualities, can be an effective workaround. Think along the lines of cards such as Terminus or Settle the Wreckage, which tuck or exile creatures, circumventing the indestructible trait.

Moreover, managing the battlefield before Knight Exemplar arrives is crucial. If your opponent can’t amass a critical mass of knights to shield with the Exemplar’s ability, its impact diminishes. Thus, remove knights as they come, preferably while the Exemplar is still in the opponent’s hand or deck. With the right strategy, even the most daunting MTG cards can be addressed effectively.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG deck with Knight Exemplar can be a game-changer for knight-themed strategies, fortifying your board in ways few cards can. Understanding both its strengths and potential vulnerabilities ensures you’re ready for any battle. Deck building is an art, and Knight Exemplar is a sturdy brushstroke in your knightly masterpiece. Are you eager to command an indestructible knight legion or looking for ways to outmaneuver this stalwart defender? Dive deeper with us to fully grasp the compelling dynamics Knight Exemplar brings to the table and harness the full potential of your MTG collection. Embrace the challenge and join the ranks of seasoned strategists!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Knight Exemplar MTG card by a specific set like Resale Promos and Magic 2011, 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 Knight Exemplar 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 Knight Exemplar Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-01-01Resale PromosPRES A72003NormalBlackJason Chan
22010-07-16Magic 2011M11 202003NormalBlackJason Chan
32011-04-01Duel Decks: Knights vs. DragonsDDG 142003NormalBlackJason Chan
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 7072015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10442015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
62020-09-26The ListPLST M11-202003NormalBlackJason Chan
72020-09-26The ListPLST DDG-142003NormalBlackJason Chan
82023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1922015NormalBlackJason Chan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Knight Exemplar has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2010-08-15 If an effect would simultaneously destroy Knight Exemplar and another Knight creature you control, only Knight Exemplar is destroyed.
2013-07-01 If another Knight creature you control is dealt lethal damage, the creature isn't destroyed, but the damage remains marked on it. If, at some point later in that turn, you no longer control Knight Exemplar or it loses its abilities, the other Knight creature will lose indestructible and will be destroyed.
2013-07-01 If you control two Knight Exemplars, each one causes the other to get +1/+1 and have indestructible.
2013-07-01 Lethal damage, damage from a source with deathtouch, and effects that say “destroy” won't cause a creature with indestructible to be put into the graveyard. However, a creature with indestructible can be put into the graveyard for a number of reasons. The most likely reasons are if it's sacrificed, if it's legendary and another legendary creature with the same name is controlled by the same player, or if its toughness is 0 or less.